Whippany, NJ - July 29, 2004 - The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) today announced this year’s candidates for election to its board of directors.  There are a total of ten candidates for five seats in four different categories. Ballots for this year’s election will be mailed out on August 27, the final day for mailed ballots to be received is September 28 and the last day for voting in person will be on September 29 at NECA’s regularly scheduled board meeting in Minneapolis.

There are six candidates running for two available seats in Subset 3 (companies with less than $40 million in annual telecom revenues.) Board members Gerry Anderson and Lee Dillard are retiring at the end of the year.

The candidates are Bob Boaldin, President of EPIC Touch in Elkhart, Kansas; Ed Buchanan, President and General Manager of Interstate 35 Telephone Company in Truro, Iowa; John Dillard, President of Monroe Telephone Company in Monroe, Oregon; Raymond Henagan, General Manager of Rock Port Telephone Company in Rock Port, Missouri; Randy Houdek, General Manager of Venture Communications Coop in Highmore, South Dakota; and Larry Jones, Treasurer of Chickasaw Telephone Company in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

Running unopposed for a subset 2 seat (companies with more than $40 million in annual revenue), is Kevin Albaugh, Vice President-Regulatory Affairs at North Pittsburgh Telephone Company in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He replaces Jeff Jung who is retiring at the end of the year.

Running unopposed for a subset 1 seat (representing the Bell Operating Companies) is Robert Blau of Bell South. He replaces Ed Young who is retiring at the end of the year.

Outside director Wally Beyer who is a retired executive from the Rural Utilities Service is facing New Jersey businessman Richard A. Moore. The seat is currently held by Beyer who is standing for reelection.

Each subset nominates and elects its own representatives. Outside directors are elected by the entire membership of NECA.

“I would like to congratulate all of the candidates who have decided to run for a seat on the board,” said NECA President and Chairman Bill Hegmann.  “Serving on the NECA board is an important activity with a great deal of responsibility. It is gratifying to see so many individuals become involved in the process.”