In 1997 a group comprised of independent citizens, local and state government officials, consultants and others began to meet in Colorado every fall to address how states could benefit from high-speed broadband services. The group wanted to focus on deployment of broadband both current and future, and to educate each other and the public on what types of applications were needed to better education, healthcare, government and the private sectors in rural America. These initial meetings were held in a community college and attracted between 150-200 people. By 2001 the core group of attendees decided it was time to develop a formal organizational structure and expand the organization to a national scale. Thus, the Rural Telecommunications Congress (RTC) was formed.

The RTC became “the national rural telecommunications conference” to attend. It was focused on rural issues of broadband and each year the conference tackled current and future issues and trends being taken in the industry and in the national arena. Unfortunately in 2009, the conference was cancelled due to economic and scheduling issues. However, the organization continues to work for the betterment of broadband services in rural America.

Mickey Seidel, Senior Manager of Business Development was recently appointed as a Director of the Rural Telecommunications Congress.  Adesta has been involved in this organization for many years, and has made many contacts for them and with them to help advance broadband throughout rural America. Mickey has played a key role in making this happen.

Greg Laudeman, President of Rural Telecommunications had this to say. “Adesta has been one of RTC’s most enthusiastic sponsors, and Mickey has a lot of energy and ideas for rural Telecom. So, I think her participation as a director makes a lot of sense, and will greatly benefit RTC.”