JUNE 2015
7
business
solutions
Brian
Thomason
Receives Award
from NTCA
Peers recognize Thomason’s leadership,
innovation, and contributions
BVTC / Networks Plus (BVTC/NWP) CEO Brian Thomason recently received the Management
Achievement Award at the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting and Expo, hosted by NTCA—
The Rural Broadband Association, in Phoenix, Ariz. Thomason was selected for this award
by a panel of industry judges from across the nation.
NTCA Champions Rural America
NTCA is the premier association representing nearly 900
independent, community-based telecommunications companies
that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America.
NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and
regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development;
publications and industry events; and an array of employee
benefit programs.
In an era of exploding technology, deregulation, and marketplace
competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for
rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural com-
munities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because
of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in
economic development and commerce, education, health care,
government services, security, and smart energy use.
Thomason’s Leadership “Instrumental”
Shirley Bloomfield, chief executive officer of NTCA presented
Thomason with a plaque. “NTCA’s Management Achievement
Award is the highest honor bestowed upon current executives
in the independent telecommunications arena,” said Bloomfield.
“This award, designated by Brian’s peers in the industry, recog-
nizes his leadership, spirit of collaboration and innovation, and
contributions he has made to industry.”
Bloomfield went on to state that Thomason’s leadership has
been instrumental in showcasing and deploying innovative uses
for broadband and other technologies. “This is probably one of
the biggest components leading to [BVTC’s] 2013 designation as
a Smart Rural Community award winner.”
Thomason commented, “Anyone who has the opportunity to be
in a leadership role can only hope for the chance to be involved
in something that is bigger than them.” He credited the BVTC/
NWP board of directors, employees, and patrons for their sup-
port, saying, “This award is not so much for me as it is for all
those who have collectively helped reshape our organization
into something bigger than we could have hoped. Receiving
this award is definitely one of the highlights of my 35-year
career and I am humbled by the recognition.”
In addition to being the CEO/General Manager of BVTC, Thom-
ason serves as CEO of One Point Technologies and Blue Valley
Tele-Marketing. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of
Kansas Fiber Network. With many years of experience in the
telecommunications industry, Thomason has been positioned to
lead BVTC into several new and exciting technological projects
that enhance the quality of life for rural Kansans.
Left to right: James Dauby, Brian Thomason and Shirley Bloomfield
at the Management Achievement Award presentation