Whippany, NJ—January 10, 2007 – The Board of Directors of the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) reelected Robert K. Eddy, President of Sherburne County Rural Telephone Company in Big Lake, Minnesota, Board Chairman for 2007.  Robert W. Orent, Senior Vice President – Industry Affairs of Hiawatha Communications, Inc., of Munising, Michigan, was elected Vice Chairman.  Both Eddy and Orent represent Subset 3 carriers on the NECA Board.

“I very much appreciate being reelected to serve as the NECA Board Chair and look forward to continuing to work for the benefit of our member companies,” Eddy said.

Eddy also serves as director of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance and was a director and past president of the Association of Minnesota Telephone Utilities, a past director of OPASTCO and NTCA.  He is currently active on several OPASTCO and USTA committees. 

Also active in civic affairs, Eddy serves on the Minnesota and Big Lake Chambers of Commerce, the US Coast Guard Reserve, and the Sherburne County area training center for developmentally disabled adults.  He is on the board of directors of the Minnesota Safety Council. 

Orent is a 40-year veteran of the telephone industry who served as USTA Chairman from 1998-1999.  He also served on the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, a Presidential level committee whose members provide advice and information to the President and
the executive branch regarding policy and enhancements to national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications. 

“I’m proud to be a part of NECA’s Board of Directors and look forward to working with the other Board members in service to our members and the entire NECA organization,” Orent stated upon his election.

In addition to serving on Hiawatha’s board of directors, Orent is also a director of OPASTCO and RTFC. 

The Board also reappointed Bill Hegmann, President and Chief Executive Officer; Regina McNeil, Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate Secretary; Jim Frame, Vice President Operations; Peter Dunbar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer; and Maripat Brennan, Assistant Corporate Secretary.

 The NECA Board of Directors has 15 members—ten directors represent three membership divisions (subsets 1, 2, & 3) and five represent all members (outside directors).