Press Release: Phillips to Retire as CEO of NRTC
CEO Led More Than Two Decades of Innovations for Rural America
For Immediate Release
DATE: Feb. 17, 2010
Contact: Andrea Cumpston
703-787-7156
February 17, 2010 [Herndon, VA]—Bob Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer ofthe
National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), will retire at the end of May 2010, after 32
years of service to the rural utility program and 23 at the helm of NRTC. Phillips made the
announcement at the NRTC Annual Meeting on February 14 in Atlanta.
At the meeting, Phillips told the audience, “It has been an honor and a privilege working
with you and on your behalf in bringing advanced telecommunications and other important services to
rural America. I believe that our collective works have made a real difference in the quality of
life for people across this nation.”
Phillips made a career out of turning to cutting-edge technologies to overcome the geographic
and economic obstacles of serving rural America. Under his leadership, NRTC fought for access to
quality video entertainment and helped DIRECTV launch its first satellite, growing to nearly two
million subscribers served by NRTC members.
NRTC members were among the first to deliver Internet access in their rural communities, and
an NRTC member was the first to install satellite-delivered high-speed Internet access via
WildBlue. Today, NRTC provides high-quality programming for Internet Protocol television and offers
Internet access via a variety of technologies, including WiMAX.
Under his leadership, NRTC sought out and introduced communications-based technologies to
improve the operations of the core businesses of its rural electric and telephone utility members.
Throughout his career, Phillips urged NRTC members to turn to advanced telecommunications to solve
the issues facing them. NRTC electric cooperative members were among the first to deploy automated
meter reading and then advanced metering infrastructure, which today is the foundation of the smart
grid. Today, NRTC is helping its members along a path to a “smarter grid,” with solutions for data
management, productivity, security, and renewable energy, in addition to communications solutions.
Through his leadership, NRTC grew in size from a handful of utilities to more than 1,500
members. Upon his retirement, the NRTC Board of Directors has named Jack Harvey, Senior Vice
President of Operations to serve as interim CEO pending the completion of a search for a new chief
executive.
About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced
telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,500 rural utilities and
affiliates in 48 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
programming for Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop.
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