Iowa Communications Alliance Leadership Academy

 
 The ICA Leadership Academy was developed in response to requests from members for additional, in-depth leadership development opportunities for member company employees.  Participants in the Leadership Academy are selected through a competitive application process.  Applications for the 2026-2027 class will be available in late June 2026.  

The class meets monthly between October and March for workshops, training, and networking.




Thank you to the following companies for sponsoring a meal for the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy!
 

 

  

Congratulations to the ICA Leadership Academy Graduates

2025-2026 ICA 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 Purcell, 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

2024-2025 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Steven Bailey, OmniTel Communications
  • Brenda Bowman, Barnes City Cooperative Telephone Company
  • Sara English, Kalona Cooperative Technology Company
  • Luke Haverstick, Calix
  • Danielle Hutchinson, Aureon
  • Vernon Johnson, CL Tel
  • Ethan Kleitsch, RTC Communications
  • Weston Lucht, Minburn Communications
  • Corinne Schares, Oran Mutual Telephone Company
  • Michelle Turnbull, IAMO 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
  • 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
  • Mary Phillips, Minerva Valley Companies
  • Angie Thompson, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Matt Tippett, Mahaska Communication Group

2019-2020 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Devan Amdor, Cumberland Telephone Company
  • 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
  • Jillinda Thornton, IAMO Telephone Company
  • Johnathon Tuvera, Premier Communications