OTA History
Past Presidents
Past Presidents of the Oklahoma Telephone Association
2022-2023 Trent LeForce, Dobson Fiber
2021-2022 Kirk Petty, Santa Rosa Telephone Cooperative
2020-2021 Jana Wallace, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative
2019-2020 Jill Kuehny, KanOkla Networks
2018-2019 - Doug Hilliary, Medicine Park Telephone Company & Oklahoma Western Telephone Company
2017-2018 - Larry Jones, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2016-2017 - Richard Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Coopertive
2015-2016 - Bob Rozell, BTC Broadband
2014-2015 - Mark Gailey, Totah Communications
2013-2014 - Keith Gibson, Pinnacle Communications
2012-2013 - Jeff Handley, TDS Telecom
2011-2012 - Larry Jones, Chickasaw Telephone
2010-2011 - Dr. Kay Mount, Beggs Telephone Company
2009-2010 - Richard Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative
2008-2009 - Mark M. Gailey, Totah Communications Inc.
2007-2008 - Greg Aldridge, KanOkla Telephone Association
2006-2007 - Lyn Johnson, Carnegie Telephone Company
2005-2006 - Tom Riley, Chickasaw Telecom
2004-2005 - Bobby Douglas, Alltel, Inc.
2003-2004 - Bob Gray , Valor Telecommunications
2002-2003 - Gary Jay, Salina Spavinaw Telephone Company
2001-2002 - Benny Ross, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
2000-2001 - Gary Torbett, TDS Telecom
1999 -2000 - Greg Aldridge, KanOkla Telephone Association
1998-1999 - Nancy Cain, Salina-Spavinaw Telephone Company
1997-1998 - Jim Williams , Alltel, Inc.
1996-1997 - J. R. Carter, Chouteau Telephone Company
1995-1996 - Tom Riley, Dobson Communications Corp.
1994 - Gary Kennedy, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
1993 - Tom Duke, GTE
1992 - Thurman Hayes, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
1991 - Don Strube, Oklahoma Communications Systems, Inc.
1990 - Don Strube, Oklahoma Communication Systems, Inc.
1989 - J. B. “Sonny” Bright, Chickasaw Telephone Company
1988 - Ron Mount, Beggs Telephone Company
1987 - Dan Overland, Pottawatomie Telephone Company
1986 - George Frazier, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
1985 - Margaret Goatcher, Cimarron Telephone Company
1984 - Ken Doughty, Hinton Telephone Company
1983 - Gary Kennedy, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
1982 - Mike Trower, Cimarron Telephone Company
1981 - Don Strube, Oklahoma Communication Systems, Inc.
1980 - Allen Daniels, Alltel, Inc.
1979 - Gloria Sheinbein, Sooner Telephone Company
1978 - J. D. Dorries, Valliant Telephone Company
1977 - W. A. Legion, GTE
1976 - Robert C. Lewis, Terral Telephone Company
1975- V. David Miller, Cross Telephone Company
1974 - Russell L. Dobson, Dobson Telephone Company
1973 - Jesse R. Gailey, Totah Telephone Company
1972 - W. O. Bill Young, Cherokee Telephone Company
1971 - E. R. Dobson, Dobson Telephone Company
1970 - H. Zeine Goacher, Cimarron Telephone Company
1969 - Royce C. Gauntt, Chickasaw Telephone Company
1968 - Ervin Raus, Atlas Telephone Company
1967 - Robert D. Majors, GTE
1966 - V. David Miller, Cross Telephone Company
1965 - Carroll Cook, Cook Telephone Company
1964 - J. R. Hollis, Hinton Telephone Company
1963 - O. H. Mullen, Inola Telephone Company
1962 - Truman Wood, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative
1961 - Jack Holt Stillwell Telephone Company
1960 - Harold R. Peterson, New State Telephone Company
1959 - Leroy C. Guest, Central Oklahoma Telephone Company
1958 - Joe E. Trower, Cimarron Telephone Company
1957 - F. F. Wright, Western Light & Telephone Company
1956 - A. L. McFadden, Ringwood Telephone Company
1955 - D. R. Majors, Carmen Telephone Company
1953 - R. E. Harris, Southwestern States Telephone
1951 - A.L. McFadden, Ringwood Telephone Company
1952 - A. L. McFadden Ringwood Telephone Company
1950 - C. C. Browne, Western Light & Telephone Company
1949 - V. S. Reynolds, SW Associated Telephone
1948 - W. T. Autry, Oklahoma Telephone Company
1947 - Forrest Hand, Beggs Telephone Company
1946 - Endsley Jones, Western Light & Telephone Company
1945 - Endsley Jones, Western Light & Telephone Company
1944 - J.W. Holt, Stillwell Telephone Company
1943 - J. W. Holt, Stillwell Telephone Company
1942 - J. W. Walton, Oklahoma Telephone Company
1935 - 1941 C. E. Devin Apache Telephone Company
Bill Barnes Award Recipients
The Bill Barnes Award was established in 1988. This award is given each year to individual(s) dedicated to the enrichment of the telephone industry's provessional knowledge for the Advancement of customers' welfare, participation in honest telecommunications enterprises, commitment of service before profit, to public welfare above all other considerations, and for the divine guidance in professional competency, initiative, leadership, mature sound judgment, and in all endeavors.
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1988 Frank Morrison, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
1989 Cecil Elliott, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1990 Allowe Hand, Beggs Telephone Company
1991 Roye E. Gauntt, Chickasaw Telephone Company
1992 V. David Miller, Cross Telephone Company
1993 Jewel B. Callaham, Pine Telephone Company
1994 William H. "Billy" Stanley Jr., KanOkla Telephone Company
1995 Johnnie Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1996 Don Strube, Oklahoma Communications Systems Inc.
1997 W.O. "Bill" Young, Cherokee Telephone Company
1998 Gary Kennedy, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1999 Leroy "Dutch" Guest, Central Oklahoma Telephone Company
2001 Jesse R. Gailey, Totah Telephone Company
2002 J.R. Carter, Chouteau Telephone Company
2003 Jim Williams, Alltel, Inc.
2004 Bob Stafford, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
2005 E.D. "Bud" Raus, Atlas Telephone Company
2006 Margaret and Zeine Goatcher, Cimarron Telephone Company
2007 Donald Heitschmidt, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc
2008 J.B. "Sonny" Bright, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2009 Gary M. Jay, Salina-Spavinaw Telephone Company
2010 Jack Hester, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2011 Carolyn O'Hair, Sartain Fischbein & Co.
2012 Charles O. Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company
2013 Monte R. Lee, Monte R. Lee & Company
2014 Ron Strecker, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2015 Ron Comingdeer, Ron Comingdeer & Associates
2016 Pauline Van Horn, Oklahoma Western Telephone Company
2017 Greg Aldridge, KanOkla Networks
2018 Bob Rozell, BTC Broadband
2019 Lyn Johnson, Carnegie Telephone Company
2021 Dr. Kay Mount - Beggs Telephone Company
2022 Richard Ruhl - Pioneer Telephone Cooperative
Oklahoma "Hall of Fame"
The Oklahoma "Hall of Fame" Award was established in 1991 to properly recognize those men and women who pioneered telephone in Oklahoma. It further recognizes those individuals who have worked, supported, and made contributions to help further Oklahoma telephony.
1991 Hugh Straughn, Oklahoma Telephone Association
1991 Ernith & Lela Belle Gailey, Totah Telephone Company
1991 Murle & Mildred Tutty, Chouteau Telephone Company
1991 O.H. & Minnie Mullen, Inola Telephone Company
1991 Everett "Doc" & Ruby Dobson, Dobson/McLoud Telephone Company
1991 Maravin Osborne, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
1991 Truman Wood, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1991 Johnny Hollis, Hinton Telephone Company
1991 Jewel Callaham, Pine Telephone Company
1991 Irene Witter, Cross Telephone Company
1991 Cecil Elliott, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1991 Frank Morrison, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
1991 Allowe Hand, Beggs Telephone Company
1991 Royce Gaunt, Chickasaw Telephone Company
1992 V. David Miller, Cross Telephone Company
1992 Leroy "Dutch" Guest, Central Oklahoma Telephone Company
1992 Ervin Raus, Atlas Telephone Company
1992 Monte R. Lee, Monte R. Lee & Company
1993 Zeine & Margaret Goatcher, Cimarron Telephone Company
1993 W.O. "Bill" & Ruth Young, Cherokee Telephone Company
1993 Tom & Addie Sheard, Salina-Spavinaw Telephone Company
1993 Isadore & Gloria Sheinbein, Midwestern Telephone Company & Sooner State Telephone Company
1994 Allen Daniels, AllTel, Inc.
1994 Ray League, Totah Telephone Company
1994 William H. "Billy" Stanley Jr., KanOkla Telephone Company
1994 Leonard Thorne, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1995 J.C. Curtis, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
1995 Johnnie Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
1995 Don STrube, Oklahoma Communications Systems, Inc.
1997 Gary Kennedy, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc
1997 Kenneth Aubrey, Grand Telephone Company
1997 Isaiah John White, Shidler Telephone Company
2001 Tom Riley, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2001 Kenneth Doughty, Hinton Telephone Company
2001 Barry K. Moore, Oklahoma Telephone Association
2001 Wesley Johnson, Carnegie Telephone Company
2001 Ron Mount, Beggs Telephone Company
2001 Tom Green, Southwest Oklahoma Telephone Company
2001 Russell Dobson, Dobson/McLoud Telephone Company
2002 Ron Comingdeer, Comingdeer & Associates
2002 Jim Williams, Alltel Inc.
2002 J.B. "Sonny" Bright, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2002 Jesse Gailey, Totah Telephone Company
2002 Bob Stafford, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
2003 Bob Gray, GTE
2003 Carolyn O'Hair, Sartain, Fischbein & Co.
2003 Dan Overland, Pottawatomie Telephone Company
2003 Gary Torbett, Oklahoma Communications Systems Inc.
2004 Gary Jay, Salina-Spavinaw Telephone Company
2004 Jerry Johnson, KanOkla Telephone Association
2004 Benny Ross, Oklahoma Telephone & Telegraph Inc.
2004 Ed Smith, Cross Telephone Company
2005 Richard P. "Dick" Ellis, Utility Services Associates Construction Company Inc.
2005 Larry D. Jones, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2005 Darrell Overland, Pottawatomie Telephone Company
2006 J.R. Carter, Chouteau Telephone Company
2006 Donald Heitschmidt, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2006 Bob Rozell, BTC Broadband
2007 Gary Burke, Panhandle Telephone Coopertive Inc.
2007 George Frazier, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2007 Parker Hightower, Pioneer Telephone Coopertive Inc.
2008 Greg Aldridge, KanOkla Telephone Association
2008 Thurman Hayes, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2008 Charles O. Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company
2009 Ron Strecker, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2009 Jack Hester, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2009 Esta Callaham, Pine Telephone Company
2009 Marvin & Avonelle White, Shidler Telephone Company
2009 Robert J Tutty, Chouteau Telephone Company
2010 Edward A. Hilliary Jr., Medicine Park Telephone Company
2010 Richard Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2011 Steve Guest, Central Oklahoma Telephone Company
2011 Kay Seymour, Oklahoma Telephone Association
2012 Lynn R. Merrill, Monte R. Lee & Company
2012 Paul Cooper, Fred Williamson & Associates
2012 Dr. Kay Mount, Beggs Telephone Company
2013 Mark M. Gailey, Totah Communications Inc.
2014 Kathy Kunc, Hollar Law Firm
2014 Conley Cathey, CHR Solutions
2014 Roger Hutton, NetAmerica Alliance
2015 Teresa Aubrey, Grand Telephone Company
2015 Lori Bright, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2015 Douglas H. Hilliary, Medicine Park Telephone Company
2015 Robert Prince, Valliant Telephone Company
2015 James O. Young, Cherokee Telephone Company
2016 John Callaham, Pine Telephone Company
2016 Mary Green, Southwest Oklahoma Telephone Company
2016 Tom Karalis, Fred Williamson & Associates
2016 Orlean Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company
2016 Jerry Whisenhunt, Pine Telephone Company
2017 Gary Beikmann, Monte R. Lee & Company
2017 Jim Eaton, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.
2017 Dale Fitzwater, Chickasaw Telephone Company
2017 Alice Jo Hilliary, Medicine Park Telephone Company
2017 Melody Shaver, KGP Logistics
2018 Lyn Johnson, Carnegie Telephone Company
2018 Dale Burke, Dobson Telepone Company
2019 Gary Woodruff, Carnegie Telephone Company
2019 Michael Becker, USDA - RUS
2020 Preston Williams, Metaswitch
2020 Betty R. Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company
2020 Dick Segress, Terral Telephone Company
2020 Cindy Houghton, OTA - The Oklahoma Rural Broadband Association
2021 Marilyn Gailey - Totah Communications
2021 Nick Kretchmar- Pioneer Telephone
2022 George Wycoff - Southwest Oklahoma Telephone Company