Rod Bowar
General Manager

Rod has been with Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. since 1976 when he started part time for Lloyd and Delores Johnstone.  In 1980 after graduation from High School, he went to full time as the Plant Manager.  In 1998 Rod and his wife Donna purchased the telephone company from Delores Johnstone at which time he became President/Manager.  His role is to make sure the company is headed in the right direction for the future and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.

 Matt Collins
Plant Manager/PowerCom Manager/Safety Coordinator

Matt started working part time for Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. when he was 14 years old.  He graduated from Lyman County High School in 1992 and then attended Mitchell Tech before returning to work for the Telephone Company.  Matt is currently the outside plant manager, he oversees the work of the nine employees under him, maintains the outside plant in the Kennebec and Presho areas, and does the Kennebec Telephone Construction work.  Matt likes to spend his free time playing softball, watching NASCAR races, and spending time with his 2 boys, Carter and Colton.

Trusty Mertens
Central Office Manager

Kennebec Telephone Company recently hired a new employee.  Trusty Mertens started working as the Central Office Technician on June 1, 2004.  Trusty is a native of Kennebec who graduated from LHS in 1994.  He then went to Mitchell Technical Institute to study telecommunications.  Trusty graduated from MTI in 1996 and accepted a job from Nortel where he stayed for 2 years.  He decided to get closer to home in 1998, and hired on with Venture Communications in Highmore.  Trusty was a Central Office Tech in Highmore for 6 years before finally coming back to Kennebec.

Ken Walling
Central Office Technician

Ken started with Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in 1986 doing what ever needed to get done, from tilling trees, to freeing up stuck circuits on the Stromberg/Carlson X-Y switch.  Ken graduated from Osage Community High School, Osage, Iowa in 1973 and entered the service with the U.S. Navy.  Attended California State University and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree.  Ken helped with the installation and implantation of the Digital Switch, Fiber Optics, Sonet Ring, channel addition to the Head-end, and ADSL, to mention a few. Ken is married to Marilyn (Whitney) and they have two children, Kendra and Thomas.

Roger Fischer
Part Time PowerCom Electric & Communications

Roger is a Part Time Electrical Contractor  for PowerCom Electric & Communications, a division of Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. since March 2002.  Roger graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in Whapton North Dakota, and has over 18 years experience as an electrician.  In his spare time Roger likes to ride his Harley, travel and work with his dogs Buck and Sam.

Roger Beinlich
Controller

Provides financial information, file many FCC and NECA forms, prepared information for annual audit and oversee the functions of the office.

Experience:  Joined Kennebec Telephone in January 2001 after 26 years with an electronics firm in western Nebraska.  Experience included all phases of accounting including international, cost, general, capital planning, audit preparation and administered the Section 125 plan for that company.  Prior to that I worked for Western Electric in Omaha in the cost accounting department.  Even though I am not from this area of the country, I an very familiar with the Kennebec and Presho area because my wife is from Presho and over the several decades we would visit her family many times.

Joan Hills
Accountant

After a 20 year career in the grocery store business employed by Don's Market in Kennebec, currently BJ's Food Center, I joined the staff at Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc..  Since my employment with Kennebec Telephone in 1996, my experiences have included secretary/receptionist, billing, customer service and accounting.

Cherry Comp
Customer Account Rep

Cherry joined Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in July 2001.  Her experience includes working as a secretary for Larson & Sundall Law Firm 8 years, as Mortgage Purchase Assistant for SD Housing Development Authority 6 years, and Administrative Assistant for the Mellette County Conservation District 8 years. 

Heather Moore
Sales/Marketing Assistant

Heather has been with Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. since 2001 as a Receptionist/Secretary.  Some duties include billing for PowerCom Electric & Communications and Kennebec Telephone, month end reports, and working with the customers.  Other work experiences include working at Tri-County/Marquette Bank for 3 years starting as a Teller then as a Banking Assistant, Larson Law Office as a secretary, and Alliance of Architect and Engineers as a Secretary/Receptionist.  Heather has an Associate of Applied Science degree from Southeast Technical Institute.

Wesley Moore
Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Wesley, a 1979 graduate of Lyman High School, started working for Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in March of 1999.  He started out as an installer repairman and moved up to outside plant supervisor.  Wes is an expert on using sophisticated equipment to condition telephone lines.  Some of Wes's duties at the Telephone Company include getting easements, taking trouble calls, and filling in for the outside plant manager.  Wes graduated from the Power Line Program at Mitchell Technical Institute in 1981.  He ranched from 1981 till he went to work for the Telephone Company.  We lives in Kennebec and has 4 children, Jamiee, Donnie, Tiffany, and Roni.  In his spare time he likes working on his ranch, watching rodeos, and boating.

Jason Thiry
Marketing Manager

Jason Thiry started his employment at Kennebec Telephone Co., in August of 2001.  He graduated from White Lake High School in 1994 and went on to earn his AAS degree in Telecommunications in 1996 from Mitchell Technical Institute.  Jason worked for a telecommunications company in Holdrege Nebraska for five years before returning to South Dakota in 2001. 

Jesse Palmer
Inventory Manager

Jesse is a 1994 graduate of Lyman High School and started his employment with Kennebec Telephone Company in July 2003 as the Purchasing and Supplies Agent.  His duties include the purchasing of all of the material, keeping track of the inventory, and being the one-stop-shop for the company.  Jesse comes from a farming and ranching background, and enjoys the outdoors in his spare time.

Donna Bowar
Web Page/Part Time Office Assistant

Donna started working part time for Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in 1998, as a Receptionist/Secretary.  Donna's duties are,  Web Page designer and part time CSR when needed.

Barrot Lillebo
Journeyman/Foreman

Barrot graduated from Lyman County High School in 1999 and attended Western Dakota Technical Institute for Industrial Electronics.  He started working as an Installer Repairman in September of 2002.  He moved to a Journeyman Electrician position for PowerCom Electric later that year, when a position came available.  Barrot finds time to hunt, fish, golf, and farm when he's not working.

Justin Collins
Construction Worker

Justin started working part time for the Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in June of 2001.  He graduated from Lyman High School in 2002 and then attended SouthEast Tech in Sioux Falls for heavy equipment.  Justin was hired as a full time installer repairman after finishing his course at SouthEast Tech in 2003.

Justin still lives in Kennebec with his mom and dad.  In his spare time Justin likes riding his Harley, fishing and riding his snowmobile.

Isaac Reumann
Construction Worker

Isaac was hired as a multi-functional assistant.  His duties consist of assisting where needed within all the different departments of the company.  Isaac is a 2002 graduate of Lyman High School.

Mark Seachris
Mechanic

Mark started working as a mechanic on October 25, 2004.  He feels with his prior experience and education at Mitchell Tech for auto that he is well suited for this job.  His duties at the Telephone Company will include maintaining and repairing the pickups, trailers, backhoes, and trenchers.  Mark live in Presho and is married with four kids.  Mud racing is Mark's favorite hobby; he tries to race about 6 times a year.  Mark says he hasn't won yet but he's come close.      

Jason Urban
Technician
               

Jason grew up in Kimball and graduated Kimball High School in 1994.  He attended Mitchell Technical Institute received an AAS degree in Telecommunications in 2000.  He worked for an engineering company in Des Moines, Iowa for five years before starting employment with Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc.. He is married, has 3 children and enjoys hunting, fishing and sports.

Charlie Bowar
Mechanic/Part Time

Charlie was born and grew up in Reliance, South Dakota, graduating from high school in 1950.  Following graduation, he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and then for the South Dakota Highway Department before entering the army where he served in Korea as an infantryman.  From 1956 to the present Charlie has worked as a mechanic. 15 years for Mertens Chevrolet and John Deere, 10 years for Gilman Chevrolet, 21 years for Halvorson Oil, and since June of 2002 for the Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc..

Chaz Bowar
Construction Worker

Chaz started working for the Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. in 1998 as part time help.  He currently is attending Mitchell Vo-Tech, majoring in Telecommunications.  His role is to assist with any outside work.  He does this week-ends and during the summer months.

Tiarra Bowar
Part Time Customer Service Representative

Hi, I am Tiarra Bowar, Since 1998 my family and I have owned the Telephone Company.  I have lived in Kennebec all my life.  I have worked for the Kennebec Telephone Co., Inc. for a couple of years, since we have owned it.  It is fun to own and work there.  I also baby-sit too.

Brad Scott
Apprentice Electrician

Brad Scott has been hired by PowerCom Electric and Communications as an Electrician. Brad is a 1993 graduate of Lyman High School. After graduation he attended Mitchell Technical Institute and in 2001 received an AAS degree in HVACR. Working as a service technician for the past 5 years in the heating and cooling area he is excited to be joining the PowerCom crew. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, playing softball, and spending time with his family.

 Beau Johnson
Construction Worker/Welder/Mechanic

Beau Johnson has recently been hired at Kennebec Telephone Company Inc., to fill the multifunctional assistant position. Beau grew up and lived in Presho until he graduated from Lyman High School in 2004. He then attended classes for automotive technology at Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City. Beau accepted a job with Kennebec Telephone after graduating in 2006. Beau likes his position as multifunctional assistant because he gets to do different thing everyday from plowing cable to mowing grass. In his free time Beau likes to hunt and help out on the family farm.

Tom Hills
Construction Worker

Kennebec Telephone Company has recently hired Tom Hills as a Construction Worker. Tom lives in Kennebec and is a 2003 graduate of Lyman High School. After high school he  attended Western Dakota Tech for Collision Repair and graduated in 2005. Some of Tom’s duties as a construction worker are working on the tower crew and digging in water lines. Tom likes to hunt, fish and play pool in his spare time.

Crystal Brakke
Customer Service Representative

Crystal Brakke is a 1977 graduate of Lyman High School, and a 1982 graduate of BHSC. After college, I taught music in Crawford, NE for 2 years, and then moved to New Mexico where I was employed as a restaurant manager in Los Alamos, for several years. Moving from New Mexico to Colorado in 1988 to attend Travel School was the start of a new adventure! I was employed as a Wholesale travel rep for 13 years. This career move brought many trips to Mexican resort areas and Las Vegas.

I’m very excited to be working and living in the same county that I grew up in; it’s great getting reacquainted with people, and meeting new people in the area.

Jim Cole
Warehouse Person

Jim Cole was hired September 17, 2007 as a warehouse assistant.  He graduated from Lyman High School in `1982 and Western Dakota Tech as an Auto Tech in 1993.   

Jim worked for 11 years for Midwest Tire in Rapid City and decided it was time to move back to Presho.   

He enjoys Deer hunting, NASCAR and entertaining friends.

Ethan Pickner
Building & Grounds

Ethan Pickner joined Kennebec Telephone on January 22nd as our Buildings and Grounds person. Ethan attended Lyman from 7th grade to his junior year in high school and then graduated from Kimball High School in 2007.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles.

Chris Zirpel
Office & Administrative Support Specialist

Chris Zirpel was hired on April 14, 2008, as an Office and Administrative Support Specialist. He graduated from Lyman High School in 1994 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of South Dakota in 2001. Past work experience has been in credit counseling, financial aid, and insurance. He is married and has one daughter. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.