MANKATO, Minn., March 19, 2007—HickoryTech Corp. (Nasdaq: HTCO) today John Finke has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of Minnesota Telecom Alliance (MTA), a statewide trade association that advocates and represents the interests of over 100 telecommunications companies. Finke will serve a two-year term.
"I look forward to serving as chairman of MTA and my role in advocating for its member companies,” commented John Finke, president and chief executive officer of HickoryTech. “During a time of industry change and increased competition, MTA's role in pursuing public policy that encourages healthy competition and balanced regulation is more important than ever. A strong telecommunications industry is vital to the rapidly growing communications needs of Minnesota consumers and businesses.
Finke has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and is the president and chief executive officer of HickoryTech. Prior to joining HickoryTech in 1996, he held numerous engineering and management positions with GTE Telephone Operations and Contel of Indiana.
“John will provide an important sense of direction for where our industry is going,” said Mike Nowick, president of MTA. “This direction will strengthen our association, provide value to our members and enable us to better advocate for them.”
Finke has served as vice chairman of MTA for the past two years and has been a member of the board of directors for several years. He is active on several MTA committees.
About HickoryTech
HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO), headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication products and services to business and residential customers over a regional fiber network. The company is in its 110th year of operation and has approximately 400 employees. The Telecom Sector, with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa, offers local voice, long distance, high-speed Internet, Digital TV, and IP networking services to residential and business customers. In addition, the Telecom Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing solutions and customer management systems. The Enventis Sector provides IP-based voice, data and network solutions to businesses across a five-state region. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.
The Minnesota Telecom Alliance is a non-profit, professional association organized in 1909 to represent the interests of Minnesota's local, long-distance, and wireless telephone companies and the companies that supply equipment and services to the telecommunications industry. More information about MTA can be found on the Internet at www.mnta.org.