Iowa Communications Alliance Leadership Academy

 

ICA is pleased to announce the participants for the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy.  

  • Ryan Boll, Controller - Central Broadband        
  • Paul Brewster, Combination Technician - Panora Fiber        
  • Carrie Dideriksen, Office Manager - Coon Valley Cooperative Telephone Association        
  • Robin Jenness, Operations Manager - WesTel Systems        
  • Stacy Kutzli, Executive Coordinator - Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton        
  • Sarah Ogden, Customer Experience Manager - Farmers Mutual Communications - Moulton        
  • Kathi Patten, Accounting Manager - Heart of Iowa Communications     
  • Austin Promes, Outside Plant Technician - Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association        
  • Katie Rogers, Senior Manager of Member Services - NECA                     
  • Brad Schmitt, Plant Manager - Butler-Bremer Communications     
  • Lydia Walter, HR Generalist - South Slope Cooperative Communications     
  • Jackson Willette, Network Operations and IT Infrastructure Manager - STC    
 The ICA Leadership Academy was developed in response to requests from members for additional, in-depth leadership development opportunities for member company employees.  Participants will meet monthly between October 2025 and March 2026 for workshops, training, and networking.  Participants in the Leadership Academy are selected through a competitive application process.  

ICA congratulates these individuals and thanks their General Managers and Board of Directors for supporting each of them in their professional leadership development.




Thank you to the following companies for sponsoring a meal for the 2024-2025 Leadership Academy!
 

 

  

Congratulations to the ICA Leadership Academy Graduates

2024-2025 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Steven Bailey, Customer Solutions Manager - OmniTel Communications
  • Brenda Bowman - Barnes City Cooperative Telephone Company
  • Sara English, Human Resource Manager - Kalona Cooperative Technology Company
  • Luke Haverstick, Sales Manager - Calix
  • Danielle Hutchinson, Account Manager - Aureon
  • Vernon Johnson, Marketing Manager - CL Tel
  • Ethan Kleitsch, Combination Technician – RTC Communications
  • Weston Lucht, Plant Manager - Minburn Communications
  • Corinne Schares, Office Manager Secretary/Treasurer - Oran Mutual Telephone Company
  • Ashley Throne, Customer Service Representative - Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Michelle Turnbull, Special Projects Coordinator/Marketing - IAMO Communications
  • Mike Vander Stelt, Lead Combination Technician - Premier Communications

 

2023-2024 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Ted Adams, Adtran
  • Samantha Carlson, Communications 1 Network 
  • Jay Duncan, Heart of Iowa Communications
  • Carissa Hoekstra, WTC Communications
  • Natalie Hopf, Mahaska Communication Group       
  • Matt Leisinger, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative
  • Jordan Oja, Mi-Fiber
  • Mike Olsen, La Motte & Andrew Telephone Company
  • Dan Rosas, MTC Technologies
  • Nicole Schulte, Spring Grove Communications & Harmony Telephone Company
  • Jacob Slaubaugh, Kalona Cooperative Technology Company

 

2022-2023 ICA Leadership Academy

  • David Brown, Minburn Communications
  • Kellee Dawson, IAMO Communications
  • Brad Dorman, Calix
  • Sarah Hagen, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Aaron Horman, F&B Communications
  • Robyn McDowell, Premier Communications
  • Katie Miller, Sharon Telephone Company
  • Erin Nelson, Wiatel
  • Justin Schneider, Coon Valley Telephone Cooperative
  • Carey Stover, UHY
  • Curtis Thornberry, Panora Fiber
  • Adam Welp, MTC Technologies

2021-2022 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Marcie Boerner, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
  • Ray Fear, Modern Cooperative Technologies
  • Jeremy Gugel, KCTC
  • Andrea Hansen, Butler-Bremer Communications
  • Steve Hanson, Northeast Iowa Telephone Company
  • Lisa Koerselman, Premier Communications
  • Mary Phillips, Minerva Valley Companies
  • Dominic Schnell, Northwest Communications
  • Kayla Sperfslage, Aureon
  • Angie Thompson, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Matt Tippett, Mahaska Communication Group

2019-2020 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Devan Amdor, Cumberland Telephone Company
  • Mike Baker, Danville Telecom
  • Jamie Daubendiek, Jefferson Telecom
  • Rachel Hamilton, Marne Elk Horn
  • Ryan Joynt, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Chris Lovell, CL Tel
  • Lee Mellema, Premier Communications
  • Kristine Mohning, WesTel Systems
  • Erin Petersen, Palo Cooperative Telephone Association
  • Jillinda Thornton, IAMO Telephone Company
  • Johnathon Tuvera, Premier Communications