Andy Johns is joined by Chris Townson, CEO of West Carolina and Upcountry Fiber, to talk about what makes a strong partnership. Chris shares candid lessons from working with telcos, electrics and municipalities—including how to evaluate opportunities, align missions, manage egos and build lasting agreements.
What You’ll Learn Chris Townson is CEO of DTC in Alexandria, Tennessee, where the cooperative is in the midst of an aggressive fiber construction program. Guest Speaker Chris Townson
What You’ll Learn Alliance Communications has run promotions instructing members how to cut the cord on video and phone service. What’s behind those efforts? Guest Speaker Ross Petrick
What You’ll Learn Innovative Systems has released data showing what television channels are most popular among 60,000 rural viewers. Scott Meyer outlines some of the surprises. Email ScottM@innovsys.com for the latest quarterly results. Guest Speaker Scott Meyer
What You’ll Learn ATMC is using a rolling grant program to connect difference-makers in their community. Along the way, it’s generating positive PR for them. Guest Speaker Amanda Floyd
What You’ll Learn HTC’s service area includes what some experts have identified as the poorest county in Tennessee and the poorest county in Kentucky. How did HTC bring fiber to both? Guest Speaker Mark Patterson
What You’ll Learn Jason Shelton has recently taken the helm as Loretto’s general manager right after the company had been acquired by another telco. How has Loretto communicated with its customers and employees about these changes? Guest Speaker Jason Shelton
What You’ll Learn Sandhill is exanding to two areas outside of its traditional footprint. How has the cooperative identified opportunities and readied itself to expand. Guest Speaker Lee Chambers
What You’ll Learn Through a cyber security training session and “Lunch and Learn” events, ETEX has helped solidify its position as the region’s technology expert. Website: https://www.etex.net/ Guest Speaker Charlie Cano
What You’ll Learn When Volunteer Energy Cooperative and Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative partnered together to bring broadband to rural Tennessee, it took coordination and planning for both companies to communicate about the new network. Website: https://www.vec-twinlakes.com/ Guest Speaker David Murphy
What You’ll Learn Customer service reps need to be trained to ask probing questions to try and understand the customer. How can you equip them with those critical thinking skills? Website: https://www.electricities.com/ Guest Speaker Phil Biesei
What You’ll Learn Communication has become more important in the utility industry than ever before. What are communicators talking about at the TVPPA Customer Service and Communications Conference. Website: http://www.tvppa.com/ Guest Speaker Diana Bryant
What You’ll Learn Innovative Systems sponsored a study that reveals some telling insights into customer demand for video and broadband usage. Website: Full Survey http://www.innovsys.com/innovsys/2018-rural-video-broadband-study-results/ Guest Speaker Scott Sobolewski
