Farewell Message from Bob Phillips
May 24, 2010
Dear NRTC Members,
It’s hard to believe that this month marks my last at NRTC – after more than 32 years as part of the rural utility family and almost 25 years with NRTC.
When I announced my retirement in February, I thought there’d be plenty of time to say my goodbyes. I wish I could have climbed into a Winnebago or on my Harley, and driven around the country to see old friends and colleagues. Nevertheless, time always seems to slip away, so instead of a road trip, I write this letter.
To say that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as NRTC’s CEO for almost a quarter-century seems trite. It has been the defining experience of my professional life and has become my passion. I remember moving my young family from Kansas to the Washington, D.C., area in 1987 to be part of the newly-created NRTC. To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and it’s safe to say I had no idea what NRTC would become – both as an organization and for me personally.
NRTC is known for its landmark work in bringing better video service to rural America. It’s easy to forget DIRECTV’s humble roots and the pioneering spirit of NRTC members who launched the service back in 1994. Our collective efforts truly revolutionized the video landscape and opened up a vast world of entertainment and information to Americans, including millions in rural areas who once had no choice but to search for a channel through an off-air antenna. DIRECTV is now in almost 20 million homes – nearly one out of every five. Incidentally, DIRECTV says they will be providing local channels to 97 percent of U.S. households by the end of the year.
However, NRTC is so much more than video services. I’m proud of our tireless efforts in other key areas, including Internet services, telecom solutions and utility solutions.
Broadband is an essential service that our country’s leaders want to make universal and ubiquitous. While our telephone members have done a great job extending wired broadband where it is within economic and physical reach within their service areas, NRTC brought WildBlue to help members reach the most remote consumers. Today, more than a million homes and businesses depend on satellite-delivered broadband. Next year, WildBlue will launch the most robust satellite ever – to serve more rural homes with even faster Internet speeds. NRTC is also excited about our work with DigitalBridge to bring wireless broadband opportunities to members.
NRTC’s Internet services helps members deliver state-of-the-art ISP service, streamline operations and leverage technology to connect the most hard-to-reach consumers. With NRTC’s telecom solutions, we improve our telephone members’ internal operations, expand their product and service offerings and protect their infrastructure investment. And our utility solutions products and services help members harness technology to enhance the delivery and reliability of electric power in rural America. I like to say NRTC was helping members deploy smart grid components, including electric meters and all forms of telemetry and network communications, from satellite to landline, before the smart grid was “cool.”
While we’ve made amazing progress, there is still much work to be done. We continue to look for new ways to be of value to our members and explore different technology solutions. In addition, we’ve worked to better understand your needs through listening sessions and focus groups. Your feedback provided valuable input as we create our roadmap for the future. For example, we know our telephone members want access to wireless voice and mobile data opportunities, and our electric members want advice and consultative services, as well as a full selection of utility solutions products. And all of our members would like us to help them explore how to work together better, maximize resources and strengthen each other’s core business operations.
I leave NRTC not only proud of past accomplishments, but excited about our future. Broadband, smart grid, IPTV and 4G wireless are the next great opportunities for members. NRTC has the expertise to lead members and can provide valuable solutions. Moreover, NRTC has a visionary Board of Directors and a talented team of employees who are all committed to supporting you and delivering on NRTC’s mission.
In closing, I thank you, and NRTC’s more than 1,500 other members, for your support of NRTC and the trust you placed in me during my tenure.
I wish all of you and NRTC continued success as you work to strengthen your businesses and improve the quality of life in the communities you serve.
Cordially,
Bob Phillips
President and CEO