California Communications Association
Committed to Customers, Connected to our Communities
September 2014

Take a peek at what's in store for you at this years Annual Conference!

As always, we try our best to provide our members with educational sessions that reflect the industry's most current topics and issues. Along with numerous networking opportunities that connect attendees with one another for business purposes, or just for some FUN!  You will find value in the areas of ILEC/CLEC Management, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Legislative & Regulatory, and Finance.  A great conference line-up, coupled with the beautiful wine country, should make for a wonderful three-day event. We hope you'll join us!

Register for the conference & view the draft Agenda here!


Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa

1325 Broadway at Leveroni & Napa Roads, Sonoma, CA 95476.  To make a reservation at the Lodge at Sonoma Resort, please call the hotel directly at: (707)935-6600 and reference the group code CCA or CA Communications to receive the group rate of $229 per night (single or double). Rooms are available under our block from 11/1 through 11/6.  Please make your reservation by Friday, October 10th in order to get the discounted rate.  After this date, rooms and rates cannot be guaranteed.    

 

Don't miss the industry-leading telecom trade show for today's rapid wireless and wireline network evolution. OSP EXPO 2014 provides total access and complete connections all in one place. More than 200 telecom vendors and distributors will be showcasing new products, methods, and best practices for solutions of today and tomorrow. The exhibit floor also boasts a large OSP TV studio, live splicing demonstrations, and a happy hour. The entire audience, attendees and exhibitors alike, will take advantage of the 35+ accredited seminars, featuring 6 tracks, all which earn continuing education from BICSI and ETA. Register Today using VIP code: OSP2014G

Find out more at: www.ospmag.com/expo 

 

Training Opportunity - there's still time to register!
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th
Sadly, the need for workplace violence prevention training has never been greater. This course is designed to work with your company's written policy in an effort to give your staff a "tactical edge" in preventing and surviving workplace violence.  Using a "common sense" approach to safety, students will learn a wide variety of techniques and strategies they can use to make their workplace a safer place. This class is customized for the specific needs and concerns of both fixed workplace personnel (office) and also for field personnel (mobile). 

 

Training will Include:  Creating a "Survival" Attitude, How to Heighten Your Personal Awareness, Effective Prevention Techniques, Legal Resistance to Violence, Bomb/IED/Biohazard Threats, Phone & Mail Safety Protocols, Defenses Against Violent People or Animals and Active Shooter/Hostage Situations.  Download Registration Forms here 

 

2014-2015 Membership Directory 
Coming Soon...
 
4th Annual 
Katey's Kids 
Golf Tournament
Monday, October 13th 
Copper River Country Club
Katey's Kids was started in 2010 by the Sebastian family and employees to honor the life and legacy of Kathleen "Katey" Ball Sebastian. Katey devoted her life to the improvement of the lives of the children in her community through literacy, education and community development.
To date, the foundation has donated more than 150k to local organizations, and 70k in scholarships to 50 children in their community. Learn how you can get involved by registering for the 4th Annual Katey's Kids Golf Tournament here 

Upcoming Industry Events

 

September 14-17
WTA Fall Conference 
Coeur d'Alene, ID

September 21-24
NTCA Fall Conference
San Francisco, CA

September 30 - October 2
OSP EXPO
Baltimore, MD

October 25-28
Calix User Group Conference
Las Vegas, NV

November 3-5
CalCom Annual Conference
The Lodge at Sonoma, CA
more info

Tell Us Your Story
Written by: Kirby Smith, Ducor Telephone

CalCom Memories: The Value of Many Great Telecom Family Traditions
Recently, I thumbed through the CalCom list of former Chairmen [and Women] of the Board, and found myself reflecting on the Memories those names bring forth. I've had the good fortune of learning from so many of them over the years [over 30 and counting!], and gaining great insights and a more informed perspective.

We just gathered for the 20th, 25th or 30th [whatever] Volcano "Memorial" Golf Tourney which followed the official 30th Tech Expo event. At Mace, I bumped into former CalCom Chairman, Jim Graves celebrating his 80th birthday. Jim [Chm. 92-94] was a fabulous leader at both Evans Telephone and later Volcano Telephone, and, surely, CalCom. One of the most important tributes of the tournament name was for Jim's late wife. The industry has been good at remembering its loved ones.

The Golf tourney quickly was renamed Memorial, in its early days, following the death of our dear CalCom leader,

Bob Ringman. He was a super classy executive, full of smiles, solid direction for CalCom and a well known advocate at the Capitol.


Dick Crowe was Chm. way back in 1955 with the little known Dos Palos Telephone Co. [of course I didn't know him them, not sure I was even born then!!]. He came back into prominence following the sale of Dos Palos to Continental. Wow, this old list also conjures up a lot of old telephone company names. Who recalls the Sunland and Tujunga [try driving the I-210]? Dick was most jovial and full of old stories. 

 

Chester Gibbs, likewise, Chair in 1966, from Colfax Telephone. There sure were a lot of "ex-Con's" back in the day! [companies that sold to Contel or employees who left and moved elsewhere]. Two of my favorites were in the late 1960's, Jess Bigelow and Bill Sebastian. I've really never known two greater characters whom I mega-admired more!  Jess Bigelow was a stage coach driver from age eight onward, and still spun stories when he guided his 400 horsepower Caddie up the mountain telling me about stringing C-wire fence to fence on horseback and shaking hands for needed rights-of-way. I clearly saw the past, the current and the future of telecom as if a grandson on his knee--right up until he handed over the reins of the business to his son. His style was soooooo remarkable; I never felt more special in my life as he truly "let me in" to his inner circle of thinking and execution of unique leadership. [Well maybe the other--insider special--time might have been when the 2nd highest ranking General in the US Army took me on a tour of Berchesgarden and Hitler's Eagle's Nest, and then showed me where he received the sword of surrender from the German commander at the end of WWII].  Bill Sebastian was the secret Santa of the industry. He had that twinkle in his eye and when he let you in on the secret that he really wasn't a mean old guy you instantly got it-maybe I was one of the few he "let in"? He really was generous, but he pretended not to be. He really was very smart, though he hung onto old equipment and ancient ideas far too long [out of economic necessity] thus often overshadowing his keen intellect and solid business acumen. My favorite was how he talked himself out of some of his intransigent views by swiveling a chair about 180 degrees-with each conclusion to his own arguments, "oh, ok, I guess I can live with that." True entrepreneurs like Jess and Bill were completely interesting and totally unique in their own special ways.

 

Matt Boos of Ponderosa led CalCom for a lengthy tenure, 1996-1999, with strong and steady leadership, exactly like he has for Ponderosa over a long successful career. Ever since then, Matt continues to serve CalCom for the common good. 

 

John Wise is long forgotten, the founder of Tuolumne Telephone. He was a true pioneer at WTA and other organizations. He fought hard against the attitudes of Pacific Bell towards the independents and also the difficulties of family feuds within the small LEC industry. He particularly fought to get unserved areas served which were clearly neglected by ma Bell. He lost one battle which led to Ducor's ensuing success in a parallel case [long story-ask me if interested].


Stan Davis was such a major thinker, working every strategy to expand service to neighboring areas and growing the value of telecom services to customers. He was so challenging to be around, full of ideas and questions almost non-stop; there simply was no status quo with him. He also did not feel obligated to honor all family hiring practices, a bit of a maverick for sure! He served Evans Tele. with great distinction, and, of course, CalCom with great energy.

 

Bob Doyle of Roseville Telephone was the industry curmudgeon in the best sense of the word. Very strong and focused and a bit of a caricature of himself. But he was a towering leader. A little lower key, but Harry Baker too has been a towering and effective leader. He started soooo small, simply buying Raymond Telephone and then expanding into Oakhurst with a 30 line switch no less. From humble beginnings he grew both Mariposa and Sierra into quite an empire and the clear de facto leader amongst the "smalls" [Jim Lowers' label] today.

 

One cannot neglect the memories of the great women of the CalCom family. Names like Doris Utz, Jane Booth and Eleanor Hendricks [Siskiyou industry stalwarts], Rose Hoeper of Foresthill, Mary Parker of Evans, Katie Sebastian of Kerman, Ellen Tower of Calaveras, Marion Edgar of Cal-Ore, and so many others - including currently the long time service of CalCom's very own Mariann Loomis - have all graced us and served all, mostly behind the scenes at their companies and the industry at large.

 

Eleanor Hendricks was the most savvy of all the female leaders I have been blessed to have known and worked with. She knew exactly what she was doing and exactly what she had delegated to her expert manager, Dave Meyer. So often things get wishy washy leading to confusion and problems, not with Eleanor, a truly great leader given far too little credit for making Siskiyou the outstanding company it was and continues to be. Eleanor was not a CalCom chair, yet still a major CalCom contributor.

 

Luanne Silkwood was the glue at Ponderosa for decades, and still resides as its President after all these years of major changes and growth. She worked behind the scenes for a long time running the front office, then picked up the financial reins after Jess died and successfully hired two General Managers whom she gave direction and unwavering support. Few give her credit for her vision and perseverance, what an outstanding industry and CalCom leader.

 

Sharon Lundgren was "just" the accountant for decades at Volcano. She did the settlements in the early days and has provided financial management and leadership ever since, and still finds time to bake the best Bear Claws in the world! No greater example of humility, Sharon inspires us all [technically, Sharon does not belong on the Past Chairmen roster either-so flog me!].

 

There were a large number of additional, former Chairmen whom I've had the pleasure to be well acquainted with. Bob Edgar of Cal-Ore was truly a great leader blessed with a generous spirt and friendly demeanor. Recently, Bill Barcus of Sebastian brought his keen business sense and legal expertise to CalCom while also guiding Sebastian to a major award as one of the best companies in the state [all companies, not just telephone companies!]. Whereas Luanne Silkwood was the only daughter to succeed a father as CalCom Chair, Bill Barcus became the only grandson to follow a grandfather at CalCom. These are truly great legacies and demonstrate how special entrepreneurs really are and how fascinating to see successful traits passed down from generation to generation. Like these classy examples, CalCom too remains a great family!


Roseville/Surewest/Consolidated has provided significant leadership at CalCom. Giants of the industry from Roseville, in addition to Bob Doyle, included Al Johnson and Brian Strom in recent years. Verizon was well represented with Tim McCallion, and ATTPacific Bell with Jerry Flynn. While all from larger companies, each of these dynamic leaders represented the industry and CalCom extremely well. Earlier, Jim Miles and Bob Doyle of Continental both provided expert leadership and also represented larger company perspective yet an all - inclusive CalCom approach.

 

Prior to my recent tenure, Mitch Drake [Sebastian] and Scott Barber [Surewest] guided CalCom through extremely rough waters-financial upheaval, major changes in staff leadership, significant change of direction and general challenges requiring significant investment of time and resources to ensure successfully guiding CalCom to calmer waters. I for one greatly appreciated their major contributions. My successor Eric Wolfe [Ducor] likewise carried on bravely with the recent emphasis on turning CalCom from survival mode to stability.

 

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of working closely with Scott Barber [Chm. 2008-2010] from his early days at Kerman and until nearly his last day at Surewest. Certainly we all say a big Mahalo to Scott for his tremendous diligence at CalCom during, clearly, its lowest days. Only a strong leader and first class individual goes above and beyond to ensure a good venture is restored to an appropriate level of stability. I personally saw Scott and his tremendous growth as a technical expert expand his horizons to the financial world, as well. Rarely is one great at one end of the industry, let alone both. Scott is my "hero" amongst the 30 former Chairmen I've known, respected and followed.

 

Ralph Hoeper from Foresthill was one of the most opinionated of the CalCom family, and certainly willing to debate most anything. It was only very late in his career I got well acquainted, as he allowed me to work directly for him on a particular permit issue. He boldly handled at least five separate jobs within his company that I could count; I marveled and had no idea how he accomplished so much [other than working a short seven days a week schedule!]. He relied a lot on his "older brother" Jim Welch of Volcano [the two were often inseparable]. Jim was the most direct man I knew, no small talk, cut right to the chase. And he chased hard! He was humble and tried not to draw any attention to himself. He tried to refuse to answer a simple question about 24/7 service coverage, finally admitting he personally took the midnight and later emergency outage calls!

 

I worked directly with Del Williams as CEO of Contel and then later of Evans, and he made a very fascinating transition, able to bring the best of a larger, departmentally based company into the blurred organizational lines of a much smaller, more collegial environment. He provided distinguished leadership at CalCom as well.

 

Earl Bishop of Volcano continued a tradition of above and beyond service, both making great contributions while Chair and continuing as the main financial adviser for CalCom ever since. Earl became not only an expert spreadsheet jockey but a trusted adviser always available to anyone needing help. In this regard he has truly been a "one of a kind" in my view, being a beneficiary of his willingness to help anytime, anywhere! Prior to his marvelous contributions at Volcano, Earl served GVNW as settlements expert. He has always been an excellent "go to" guy! Earl plans to retire soon, and all wish him well. His many kindnesses will not be forgotten.

 

While I was at the "Memorial" Golf Tournament, I commented more than once that I hardly recognized any of the faces, what with so many new players. That surely means the reflection on those who have moved on or gone on is worthy of a short stroll down memory lane.

 

 

Submit your story for this feature article. This is your time to share your companies successes, brag about an employee who has done something extraordinary, or just simply share something special with your telecom family. This newsletter is the perfect forum for doing just that. It's created for our members to do what CalCom does best...connect people. 

Send your 'Tell Us Your Story' article to [email protected]

 
Call For Presentations
Speaker Opportunities at Upcoming CalCom Events
CalCom is accepting speaker abstracts for both the Annual Conference (Fall 2014) and Tech Expo (Feb 2015). We are looking for dynamic speakers and industry experts to provide sessions during one of our upcoming events, which gathers professionals from the telecommunications industry, including top level management, HR, Sales & Marketing, Regulatory, Technicians, Engineers, and OSP personnel. If you would like to submit a general industry topic that will educate our members (not a sales pitch) please send it to us for consideration. 
Include the topic title, and a brief 4-6 sentence description of the presentation. We look forward to hearing from you!
 
    
Photo of the Month
Submitted by: Ron Miller, City of Roseville
Photo Caption: The Sentinel


CalCom Connect Newsletter
CalCom distributes this newsletter to our members on a monthly basis. It includes association updates, information on upcoming meetings and events, and industry related news. If any of our members have content that you would like to include in our newsletter, please email your request to: [email protected]. 
 
Send in your "Photo of the Month" submissions! We'd like to post photos that you or someone from your company took that capture workplace events, vacation highlights or special memories that you'd like to share with your telecom family. Send your photo to [email protected]Thank you in advance, we look forward to hearing from you!
 
Who is CalCom? 

Find out more about California Communications Association at: www.calcomassn.org 

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