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The Telispire Team
Curtis M. Knobloch Chief Executive Officer  Mr. Knobloch's telecommunications management and operational experience includes wireless voice and data, video, long distance, paging and internet services. He has chaired the Network Interoperability Committee for the Rural Cellular Association since 1993 and is a past member of the Chief Technical Officer committee for the Cellular Telecommunication and Internet Association. He holds a BBA from Midwestern State University and a MBA from the University of North Texas. Nicholas S. Aldi Chief Financial/Operating Officer Mr. Aldi has over twenty-five years of business experience spanning multiple industries (airline, health care, financial services and telecommunications). His telecommunications experience includes wireless voice, data, long distance, and internet services. He was a member of the team that launched CDMA wireless service in 1995 at PrimeCo Personal Communications, LLP, a joint venture between Bell Atlantic and Airtouch. He holds a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Tulsa and an MBA in International Business and Economics from the University of Texas at Arlington. The Telispire Board Steven Bing Senior Vice President, Video Services, Sales and Marketing National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Steven Bing serves as the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) in Herndon, Virginia. Bing joined NRTC in July 2005 and is responsible for NRTC’s DIRECTV business operations. He will also lead NRTC’s efforts in future video services. In recent years, Bing has been a partner in a $40 million venture fund that has assisted start-up companies in a wide range of industries. From 1984 to 1991, he served in a number of positions, including president, for ICH Corp., a publicly traded holding company that owned life and health insurance companies, including Bankers Life and Casualty in Chicago and Southwestern Life in Dallas. From 1972 -1984 he served as vice president in charge of public affairs for the University of Louisville, where earlier he earned a law degree. He also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Louisville. Bing’s involvement with NRTC dates to the beginning of the DIRECTV business when he was a partner with Direct Programming Services (DPS), an NRTC affiliate that worked with electric cooperatives throughout rural Kentucky to distribute DIRECTV service. In the mid1990s, Bing also served as an advisor to NRTC’s board of directors. Bing is a graduate of the University of Louisville and received his law degree and bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kent Jack Harvey Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Jack Harvey provides the technical and operational leadership for most of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative\'s (NRTC) business units and was instrumental in launching NRTC\'s Telecom and Data Solutions department. He joined NRTC in 1999 after 25 years working for Regional Bell Operating Companies and AT&T. He maintains responsibility for Telecom and Data Solutions, is responsible for NRTC\'s Information Technology department, and manages a team focused on finding and developing new business opportunities to help NRTC rural telco and electric members continue to deliver leading-edge telecommunication technologies to their respective communities. Lee Whitcher Vice President of Wireless Operations and Regulatory Compliance The HTC Family of Companies Lee Whitcher serves as vice president of Wireless Operations and Regulatory Compliance with the HTC family of companies, which include Harrisonville Telephone Company, HTC Holding Co., HTC Communications Co., and HTC Technologies Co. Harrisonville Telephone Company is an ILEC located in Waterloo, IL, serving 20,000 access lines. Whitcher has been with HTC since August 1994 and has broad responsibilities in wireless, financial and regulatory operations. He is a CPA and was with the regional accounting firms of Kiesling Associates, CPA and Clifton Gunderson, CPA prior to his employment with HTC, a long time client. During his nine years in public accounting, he concentrated in audit, tax and consulting for ILECs throughout the Midwest. Whitcher is Vice Chairman of the Board of the Illinois Independent Telephone Association. Michael W. Conrad President and General Manager The Champaign Telephone Company Michael Conrad has served as president and general manager of The Champaign Telephone Company since 1989 and has been a company director since 1988. He is active in multiple industry organizations including the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, and he sits on the boards of the Ohio Telecommunications Industry Association and USTelecom. Conrad is involved in community organizations, serving as a trustee of Urbana University, a past board member of United Way of Clark/Champaign County, a member of Lion\'s Club, and a past president of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. He holds a masters degree in business administration from Wright State University. |
