Iowa Communications Alliance Launches 2024-25 Leadership Academy

The Iowa Communications Alliance’s Leadership Academy launched the 2024-2025 Session on October 16.  The in-person program is designed to help strengthen and encourage emerging leaders in the broadband industry across the state of Iowa.  Participants are selected through a competitive application process submitted by individuals at ICA member companies. Congratulations to this year’s Leadership Academy participants:

• Steven Bailey, Customer Solutions Manager – OmniTel Communications
• Brenda Bowman, Assistant General Manager/CFO – Modern Cooperative Telephone Company
• Sara English, Human Resource Manager – Kalona Cooperative Technology Company
• Luke Haverstick, Sales Manager – Calix
• Danielle Hutchinson, Account Manager – Aureon
• Vernon Johnson, Marketing Manager – CL Tel
• Ethan Kleitsch, Combination Technician – RTC Communications
• Weston Lucht, Plant Manager – Minburn Communications
• Corinne Schares, Office Manager Secretary/Treasurer – Oran Mutual Telephone Company
• Ashley Throne, Customer Service Representative – Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
• Michelle Turnbull, Special Projects Coordinator/Marketing – IAMO Communications
• Mike Vander Stelt, Lead Combination Technician – Premier Communications

Over the next six months, the class will receive training in a variety of areas including: time management, delegation, HR basics, building positive company culture, presentation skills, and goal setting. The Leadership Academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony in March 2025 as part of ICA’s Annual Meeting of Members in Des Moines.

ICA Board President, Jamie Daubendiek (Jefferson Telecom), shares, “The Leadership Academy plays a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders of Iowa’s broadband industry. I went through the first year’s class, and it played a significant role in shaping my career. Its success is a testament to the dedication of the participants, the Leadership Academy committee, and the ICA staff. We are proud to be part of such a dynamic program that fosters the growth of Iowa’s next generation of broadband innovators.”

To learn more about the ICA Leadership Academy visit www.IaCommunicationsAll.org

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The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. Its 250+ members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.

ICA firmly believes that broadband communications is the tool and industry capable of growing and transforming Iowa. Our association is the advocate, catalyst, educator, and resource for Iowa’s community-based broadband providers.

Media Contact
Dave Duncan, CEO
dduncan@iacommunicationsall.com
515-867-2091