“I am honored to be reelected to serve as the NECA Board Chair,” said Eddy.  “Mr. Orent and I look forward to continuing to work hard for our member companies as we all strive to meet the important challenges ahead.”

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, the Big Lake Economic Development Commission, and the Sherburne County area training center for developmentally disabled adults.  He is on the board of directors of the Minnesota Safety Council. 

Orent, a telephone industry veteran, served as USTA Chairman from 1998-1999.  “I’m pleased to serve another year as Vice Chairman of the Board,” said Orent.  “I look forward to working with Chairman Eddy and the rest of the Board to represent our member companies to the best of our ability.”

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

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).