Whippany, NJ - August 27, 2004 – The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) today mailed ballots to the 820 members who are eligible to vote in this year’s Board of Directors election. The final day for NECA to receive mailed ballots is September 28 and the last day for voting in person is September 29 at NECA’s annual meeting in Minneapolis. There are ten candidates for five seats in four different categories (see candidates' profiles).

Six candidates are 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 Communications 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 BellSouth. He replaces Edward D. Young, III 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.