Iowa Communications Alliance Leadership Academy

 

2026-2027 Leadership Academy Information

Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Leadership Academy Class Participants
  • Dave Bagley, Regional Account Executive - Calix
  • Kaitlin Becker, Customer Relations Specialist - ATC Communications
  • Jason Best, Operation Manager - FMCTC
  • Mariah Burds, Marketing & Customer Experience Manager - Minburn Communications
  • Jake Daly, Services Manager - FMTC of Stanton
  • Brooke Hillegas, Office Manager - Dumont Telephone
  • Jordan Jacobsen, Combination Technician - Marne Elk Horn Communications
  • Kelly Kreber, Service Area Manager - Premier Communications
  • Kyle Larson, Special Projects Coordinator/Sales - KCTC
  • Brock Martin, Senior Manager, Assurance - Forvis Mazars
  • Jacob Scanlan, Installation & Repair Coordinator - South Slope Cooperative Communications
  • Morgan Schamel, Office Manager - WCCTA
  • Daniel Stalder, Broadband Advocate - Iowa Communications Alliance
The ICA Leadership Academy was developed in response to requests from members for additional, in-depth leadership skills development opportunities for member company employees.  
Program Goal
The ICA Leadership Academy will raise up leaders who desire to take the next step into a leadership role both in their companies and the ICA through networking opportunities, mentorship, and leadership skills training. 

Target Audience
Member company employees who are being considered for, working towards, or new to leadership positions within their organization.  

Program Content
The Leadership Academy is highly interactive and will include a mix of presentations, workshops, and participant discussions.  Each year, content is reviewed and adjusted as needed to provide participants with the most relevant content possible.  Topics to be covered include:

  • Leadership Personality and Strengths Workshop
  • Time Management and Delegation
  • Building Successful Teams
  • Leading Effective Meetings
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Goal Setting
  • Presentation Skills
  • Importance of Legislative and Regulatory Involvement
  • Community and Economic Development
 


 



Thank you to the following companies for sponsoring a meal for the 2026-2027 Leadership Academy!
   

Congratulations to the ICA Leadership Academy Graduates

2025-2026 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Ryan Boll, Controller - Central Broadband        
  • Paul Brewster, Combination Technician - Panora Fiber        
  • Carrie Dideriksen, Office Manager - Coon Valley Cooperative Telephone Association        
  • Robin Jenness, Operations Manager - WesTel Systems        
  • Stacy Kutzli, Executive Coordinator - Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton        
  • Sarah Ogden, Customer Experience Manager - Farmers Mutual Communications - Moulton        
  • Kathi Patten, Accounting Manager - Heart of Iowa Communications     
  • Austin Promes, Outside Plant Technician - Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association        
  • Katie Purcell, Senior Manager of Member Services - NECA                     
  • Brad Schmitt, Plant Manager - Butler-Bremer Communications     
  • Lydia Walter, HR Generalist - South Slope Cooperative Communications     
  • Jackson Willette, Network Operations and IT Infrastructure Manager - STC

2024-2025 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Steven Bailey, OmniTel Communications
  • Sara English, Kalona Cooperative Technology Company
  • Luke Haverstick, Calix
  • Danielle Hutchinson, Aureon
  • Vernon Johnson, CL Tel
  • Ethan Kleitsch, RTC Communications
  • Weston Lucht, Minburn Communications
  • Corinne Schares, Oran Mutual Telephone Company
  • Michelle Turnbull, IAMO Communications

 

2023-2024 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Ted Adams, Adtran
  • Samantha Carlson, Communications 1 Network 
  • Jay Duncan, Heart of Iowa Communications
  • Carissa Hoekstra, WTC Communications
  • Natalie Hopf, Mahaska Communication Group       
  • Matt Leisinger, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative
  • Jordan Oja, Mi-Fiber
  • Mike Olsen, La Motte & Andrew Telephone Company
  • Dan Rosas, MTC Technologies
  • Jacob Slaubaugh, Kalona Cooperative Technology Company

 

2022-2023 ICA Leadership Academy

  • David Brown, Minburn Communications
  • Kellee Dawson, IAMO Communications
  • Brad Dorman, Calix
  • Sarah Hagen, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Aaron Horman, F&B Communications
  • Robyn McDowell, Premier Communications
  • Katie Miller, Sharon Telephone Company
  • Erin Nelson, Wiatel
  • Justin Schneider, Coon Valley Telephone Cooperative
  • Carey Stover, UHY
  • Curtis Thornberry, Panora Fiber
  • Adam Welp, MTC Technologies

2021-2022 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Marcie Boerner, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
  • Ray Fear, Modern Cooperative Technologies
  • Jeremy Gugel, KCTC
  • Andrea Hansen, Butler-Bremer Communications
  • Steve Hanson, Northeast Iowa Telephone Company
  • Mary Phillips, Minerva Valley Companies
  • Angie Thompson, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Matt Tippett, Mahaska Communication Group

2019-2020 ICA Leadership Academy

  • Devan Amdor, Cumberland Telephone Company
  • Jamie Daubendiek, Jefferson Telecom
  • Rachel Hamilton, Marne Elk Horn
  • Ryan Joynt, Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association
  • Chris Lovell, CL Tel
  • Lee Mellema, Premier Communications
  • Kristine Mohning, WesTel Systems
  • Jillinda Thornton, IAMO Telephone Company
  • Johnathon Tuvera, Premier Communications