NRTC Invests in GeoNav Group International

Cooperative acquires 35 percent interest to increase quality and availability of geospatial technology to all rural utilities

For Immediate Release
DATE: August 7, 2008

NRTC Contact: Andrea Cumpston
703-787-7156
acumpsto@nrtc.coop

GeoNav Contacts:  Guner Gardenhire and Erik Potter
877-943-6628
info@geonavgroup.com

August 7, 2008 [Herndon, VA]— Today, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced its investment in the GeoNav Group International, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services and products firm. GeoNav specializes in project management, GIS implementation, Quality Assurance, and vehicle navigation and tracking products. With its investment, NRTC has acquired on behalf of its members a 35 percent interest in the company and two seats on its board of directors. The investment enables the GeoNav Group to serve a wider audience and develop geospatial technology needs for rural electric and telephone utility markets.

Since its founding, the GeoNav Group has provided guidance to utilities in GIS software and hardware selection, emphasizing the "best-in-breed" solution for the utility. The company's flexible integration and implementation makes it an ideal choice for electric and telephone utilities.

"GeoNav is focused on helping utilities ensure data reliability and distribute their geospatial information throughout the utility.  The investment from NRTC goes directly towards GIS innovation for utilities," said Erik Potter, vice president of GIS services. "GeoNav has always operated in a fiscally responsible way, so this additional capital allows us to expand our ability to support the rural utility market and build new geospatial technology," said Guner Gardenhire, president of GeoNav.

"GIS data is growing in importance for our utility members," said Bob Phillips, NRTC president and chief executive officer.  He continued, "NRTC has been advocating use of GIS for several years; GeoNav can give turn-by-turn directions to each and every utility asset, effectively eliminating the gas and time that now is so often wasted. But this isn't the only value of GIS to utilities. With this investment, NRTC will be working with GeoNav to promote integration of GIS data with other utility tools to improve operating efficiency."

About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full service Internet access and support, advanced metering infrastructure, SmartSCADA, wireless technologies, power quality products, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP backbone services, direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV and Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop.

About GeoNav
GeoNav Group International, Inc. is a veteran- and employee-owned corporation specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and hardware integration and implementation. GeoNav currently has offices in Durango, Colorado, Great Falls Montana and will be opening an office in Herndon Virginia.  With over 40 years of combined utility GIS experience, GeoNav's staff has worked with over 100 small utility companies implementing GIS and GPS technologies. For more information, call 877-943-6628 or visit www.geonavgroup.com.