The following list of WITA Committees provides additional information on, and the membership of, each Committee.
Accounting Committee
This committee will identify, research, and make recommendations on general problems involving accounting procedures, requirements imposed by federal law, practice, and methods. They will develop workshops to further members’ education on accounting-related matters.
Committee Members
Robert “RJ” DelMese, Chair
Moss Adams | 509-777-0201
James Brooks
Inland Telephone | 509-649-2211
Brooke Ogg
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-2760
Danielle Clausen
Rainier Connect | 360-832-4130
Trish Mason
Whidbey Telecom | 360-321-0013
Denise Rappe
ToledoTel | 360-864-2029
Rick Vitzthum
Kalama Telephone Company | 360-264-3155
Philip Cappalonga
Toledo Tel | 360-864-4552
WITA/OTA Annual Meeting Committee
Joyce Nelsen, Chair
Roome Telecommunications, Inc. | 541-369-2211
Susan Allen
OTA | 503-581-7430
Betty Buckley
WITA | 509-690-0530
Brenda Crosby
Cascade Utilities | 503-630-4202
Darrin Gross
Leonard Adams Insurance | 503-504-7619
Shane Ideus
Unitel | 402-434-7215
Gail Long
TDS Telecom | 541-516-8210
Mitchell Moore
Clear Creek Communications | 503-631-2101
Russ Ramsey
ToledoTel | 360-864-4552
Mike Reding
MBR Training & Consulting | 503-238-1234
Nick Schneider
St. Paul Cooperative Assn. | 503-633-2111
Renee Willer
CenturyLink | 303-645-7909
Brant Wolf
OTA | 503-581-7430
Annual Meeting Committees
The Washington and Oregon Annual Meeting Committees are charged with formulating the program, identifying program participants, composing the schedule for the annual meeting, and assisting with the coordination of presentations, events, social activities, and entertainment.
Associate Member Committee
The Committee represents the Associate Members as a body and coordinates formal interaction with Active Members. The Committee nominates members to serve on the Annual Meeting, Customer Service, and Plant Committees.
Committee Members
Robin Anderson
Telcom Insurance Group | 360-882-6524
Mark Benson
American Power Systems | 800-395-0693
Jim Brett
Graybar | 206-669-4133
Rand Mortizky
Farmers Union Insurance/Unitel Insurance | 402-434-7268
Frank Mulhearn
Rep Com International | 503-593-8706
Shaun Plummer
Core Telecom Systems | 503-936-6552
Committee Members
Robin Anderson
Telcom Insurance Group | 360-882-6524
Marti DePoe
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-2481
Amanda Singleton
Rainier Connect | 360-623-4578
Donna Wallace
ToledoTel | 360-864-4552
Teresa Zimmerman
Tenino Telephone Company | 360-264-2915
Jessica Cooks
Whidbey Tel | 360-320-5420
Customer Service Committee
The Committee is responsible for developing seminars, workshops, and roundtable discussions which assist and enhance company employees’ performance in the areas of customer relations, marketing, and sales.
Finance & Planning Committee
The committee is responsible for monitoring the financial status of the Association, and for reviewing and recommending an annual budget to the Board of Trustees and Active Members at the annual meeting.
Committee Members
Arne L. “Skip” Haynes
Rainier Connect | 253-683-4201
Gail Long
TDS Telecom | 541-516-8210
Dale Merten
ToledoTel | 360-864-2044
Rick Vitzthum
Tenino Telephone Company | 360-264-3155
Betty Buckley
WITA | 509-690-0530
Chris McKnight
Whidbey Tel | 360-929-8048
Industry Issues Committee
The Committee has a dual responsibility: (1) to monitor and evaluate proposed legislation which impacts the telecommunications industry, propose strategic responses to legislation, and forward procedural and substantive recommendations to the Board of Trustees; and (2) to track and examine regulatory initiatives for their potential effect on member companies, formulate positions on regulatory initiatives, and develop and provide strategic direction to the Board of Trustees. The Committee is comprised of a representative from each of the WITA Member Companies.
Leadership Committee
Plans and directs the annual Leadership Conference which aims to advance the mutual goals of WITA members through shared understanding and partnerships.
Committee Members
Kevin J. Kastor
Consolidated Communications | 936-788-7420
Steve Smith
Whidbey Telecom | 360-341-0019
Kelle Oblizalo
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-2481 Ext 223
Chris McKnight
Whidbey Tel | 360-929-8048
Angie Agnew
Whidbey Tel | 360-221-0052
Amanda Singleton
Rainier Connect | 360-623-4578
Dallas Filan
Pioneer Telephone | 509-549-3511
Mike Oblizalo
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-3425
Committee Members
Mike Oblizalo
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-3425
Aaron Nelson
ToledoTel | 360-864-2027
Jerry Jensen
FairPoint Communicationsl | 509-962-0355
Joe Hubbard
Rainier Connect | 360-832-2069
Dave Grimm
Whidbey Tel | 360-321-0084
Jeff McCarten
Tenino Telephone Company | 360-264-6013
Frank Mulhearn
Rep Com International | 503-593-8706
Shaun Plummer
Core Telecom Systems | 503-936-6552
Barrett Remmer
Whidbey Tel | 425-754-0085
Outside Plant Committee
The Committee is responsible for planning and conducting workshops and training sessions which assist and enhance company employee skill levels in all areas of the company.
WITPAC
The purpose of WITPAC is to promote and improve the effectiveness of Washington state government.
WITPAC Members
Steve Appelo
Wahkiakum West Telephone | 360-786-0105
Betty Buckley
WITA | 509-690-0530
Kevin Kastor
Consolidated Communications | 936-788-7420
Rick Buechel
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-3995
Rick Vitzthum
Tenino Telephone Company | 360-264-3155
Donna Hilty
Whidbey Tel | 360-321-0008
WITSA Members
Kelle Oblizalo, President
Hood Canal Communications | 360-898-2481
Stefanie Peterson, Vice President
Tenino Telephone Company | 360-264-2936
Betty Buckley, Secretary-Treasurer
WITA | 509-690-0530
Craig Catlin
Johnson, Stone & Pagano | 253-566-7070
Robert “RJ DelMese
Moss Adams LLP | 509-777-0201
Amanda Singleton
Rainer Connect | 360-832-6161
WITSA
The purpose of WITSA is to provide financial assistance scholarships for higher education to families of Association members. The scholarship awards are presented at the joint OTA-WITA Annual Meeting.