Dick Martin to Direct NRTC’s Utility Sales Effort

Supports Electric Cooperatives Seeking to Implement Smart Grid Technologies

For Immediate Release
DATE:  March 29, 2010
Contact:  Chris Martin
703-787-7288

March 29, 2010 [Herndon, VA]— The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative today announced Dick Martin as its director of Utility Sales.  With more than 35 years in utility metering, communications and control systems, Martin will lead the Regional Business Manager team dedicated to finding solutions for NRTC electric members as they seek to implement smart grid technologies and other mission-critical products and services.

“NRTC seeks to support its members as they move on a path to the smarter grid.  To do that well, we need expertise like Dick Martin’s,” said NRTC Senior Vice President for Business Operations Jack Harvey.  “Dick’s engineering background and his focus on advanced metering, communications and control systems make him a strong addition to NRTC’s support team for its electric cooperative members,” Harvey continued.

Prior to joining NRTC, Mr. Martin served in roles in various companies serving the electric utility industry. Mr. Martin has experience in developing sales of advanced metering infrastructure, demand response and distribution automation systems to utilities, and he speaks regularly at metering schools and power conferences.

“I’m pleased to have Dick Martin join NRTC’s team as part of a new regional business structure that will provide more focused support to members,” said Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing Bill Gerski.  While Martin leads utility sales efforts, Director of Telco Sales Mark Chambers will provide focus and leadership to the telco sales team, said Gerski.  Chambers joined NRTC in 2006 and brings over 18 years of experience in sales and sales management to the role.  Chambers’ background includes telephony and data networking, wireless deployment and experience with IPTV video services in both urban and rural markets.

“This new alignment allows NRTC to better meet the diverse needs and geographic breadth of our more than 1,500 electric and telco members,” explained Gerski.

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. # # #