HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a comprehensive search, NRTC\u2019s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that current NRTC executive team member Curtis Knobloch, President of NRTC\u2019s Mobile Solutions business unit, has been chosen as the organization\u2019s next CEO, effective June 1.<\/p>
\n\u201cCurtis is the right leader for NRTC \u2013 both now and into the future,\u201d said Board Chairman Lynn Hodges, CEO and General Manager of Ralls County Electric Cooperative in Missouri. \u201cHe brings a deep knowledge of NRTC\u2019s technology solutions and a track record of delivering for our members. He has an appreciation for NRTC\u2019s member driven, technology focused mission and a vision for driving that mission forward.\u201d<\/p>
\nIn 2000, Curtis founded Telispire, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator with the vision of being a premier choice for companies looking to offer wireless service to their customers. In 2006, Telispire was acquired by NRTC. Aligned perfectly with NRTC\u2019s mission, Telispire\u2019s (now NRTC Mobile Solutions\u2019) goal is to put customers first while continuing to improve current services and create and innovate new services that will best serve customers.<\/p>
\n\u201cI\u2019m honored and humbled to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading NRTC. Over the 20 years I\u2019ve been part of the NRTC family, I\u2019ve seen the impact NRTC can make serving our rural electric, telephone and broadband members,\" Knobloch said. \"We have a talented team of technology experts who are focused on our members. I can\u2019t wait to get started in this new role and make sure we\u2019re doing everything we can to be a valuable partner for our members \u2013 today and for years to come.\u201d<\/p>
\nUnder Curtis\u2019 leadership, Mobile Solutions has enjoyed impressive and sustained growth. Revenue has grown by 79% over the past six years, the number of members who now offer mobile has grown significantly, and the number of end users supported by the Mobile team has doubled over the past two years.<\/p>
\nMobile has invested in its back-office capabilities and expanded its service offerings to better serve members. The team created a special MVNO opportunity in collaboration with NTCA and a mobile broadband bundle to help broadband providers compete for subscribers. Mobile has also developed solutions to save members money on their corporate mobility services.<\/p>
\nCurtis has leveraged his deep industry knowledge to explore opportunities for cellular connectivity to enhance metering solutions and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, especially in the more rural areas served by NRTC members.<\/p>
\nCurtis looks forward to meeting with members at upcoming industry meetings and events and visiting members at their offices and in the communities they serve.<\/p>
\nThe NRTC Board of Directors would like to thank NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, which conducted the search, led by Shirley Bloomfield, recently retired CEO of NTCA and President of Shirley Connected LLC, and Lori Fischetti, who has held several executive positions at NTCA.<\/p>
\n\u201cThe Board was impressed by the number of exceptional individuals who expressed interest in this position,\u201d said Dustin Durden, Vice-Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pineland Telephone Cooperative in Metter, Georgia. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled that the candidate who stood out above others is a current member of the NRTC team.\u201d<\/p>
\nAbout NRTC\n
\nFor more information, visit www.nrtc.coop<\/a>.<\/p>