Eastex Awarded $25 Million USDA ReConnect Round 4 Grant

HENDERSON, TX – September 18, 2023 – Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

(“Eastex”) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $25 million in grant funding from the USDA’s Rural Utility Service ReConnect Round 4 program. Combined with Eastex’s investment of $8.4 million, these funds will be used to deliver high-speed fiber-to-the-premises Internet service to Eastex’s existing customers in the socially vulnerable communities of Maydelle and Hudson Chapel within Cherokee and Anderson Counties. “Eastex is thrilled and honored to receive a USDA ReConnect grant. The opportunity to accelerate Eastex’s fiber network deployment to these extremely remote portions of our existing service area will significantly improve the quality of life, education, healthcare, and communications for the Maydelle and Hudson Chapel communities,” said Eastex General Manager Rusty Dorman. In August, 2022, Eastex secured a $10 million contract with Polk County to upgrade and extend Eastex’s network for fiber-based broadband internet access services, bringing the total awards for fiber expansion to approximately $30 million within the last twelve months.

Eastex will work with the communities of Maydelle and Hudson Chapel to construct 229 miles of buried fiber to deliver scalable 1 Gbps symmetrical internet service to approximately 1,241 locations. The fiber upgrades are expected to be completed over the next three calendar years.

“I applaud Eastex for securing grant funding to help bridge the digital divide in Texas. The crucial work of upgrading broadband and telecommunication infrastructure requires partnerships at all levels to ensure that currently underserved areas receive essential broadband services,” said Texas Senator Robert Nichols, an East Texas native who has championed numerous broadband infrastructure programs in Texas.

“We are excited to partner with Eastex through this award,” says Lillian Salerno, USDA Texas State Director for Rural Development. “Places like East Texas deserve reliable internet and we are working with broadband providers all over the nation to increase network reliability and close the digital divide.” The ReConnect Program is an innovative program that offers unique federal financing and funding options in the form of grants, loans, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America that don’t currently have sufficient access to internet. Priority was awarded for projects that propose to deliver higher capacity connections to rural homes, businesses, and farms in severely underserved areas of the nation.

To learn more about ReConnect please visit https://www.usda.gov/reconnect. Representatives from USDA will be joining Eastex for a press conference at Eastex’s Livingston, Texas branch office on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. to discuss this important award.

About Eastex Telephone
Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc. has over 70 years of experience bringing essential communications technology to eleven counties across rural East Texas. Today, Eastex and its affiliates and subsidiaries Eastex.Net and ECS Security and Automation are proud to deliver top-quality broadband Internet, voice, high-capacity data transport, Wi-Fi, and security and automation services to thousands of subscribers from three regional business offices in Henderson, Livingston and Waskom, Texas. Media Relations

Dee Dee Longenecker, Director of Business Development / 903-854-1292 /
deedee@eastex.com / eastex.com Kaitlin Puckett, Director of Marketing / 936-967-1119 / kaitlin@eastex.com / eastex.com

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Regulatory Manager

Date Listed: Jul 28, 2022

Company: GVTC

Location: New Braunfels, Texas

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Full Job Description

Summary: Primary responsibilities are management of company’s regulatory compliance, strategies and filings; Overall Management of state and federal Universal Service Funding including budgeting and forecasting; Product and Service Tariff and Terms and Conditions filings; Carrier Access Billing System including switched and special access billing and collection; Special Access service order workflow and billing; FCC and PUC compliance filings; state and federal Universal Service Fund filings, compliance and funding; National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) data submission and compliance filings; interconnection agreements with connecting carriers. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned: · Establishes and manages departmental CAPEX and OPEX budget consistent with corporate objectives, with appropriate reporting. · Manages corporate Carrier Access Billing including state and interstate switched and special access circuits, including bill rendering, accounts receivable, revenue assurance and bad debt management · Manages Special Circuit Service Order process including managing and submitting service orders to 3rd parties · Files Product and Service Tariffs and/or Terms and Conditions with all federal and state entities to ensure compliance · Manages interconnection agreements with all interconnected carriers including ILEC, CLEC, ISP, IXC, CMRS, etc. · Conducts audits of circuits, minutes, polling data and develops programs, processes and policies to minimize fraud and abuse and maximize revenue · Management of state and federal regulatory filings including tariffs, reports, surveys, etc. · Primary contact for both state and federal regulatory bodies such as PUC and FCC · Ensures compliance with state and federal rules and regulations and notifies affected departments of regulatory changes · Manages federal and state support and settlement programs (USF, USAC, Lifeline, NECA Pooling, etc.) to ensure accurate and timely submission of data and to maximize revenue · Develops and manages internal reports to monitor and forecast Universal Service Funding and Settlements from state or federal support programs · Ensures departmental compliance with corporate process and project management standards · Develops and achieves department goals and objectives that support the corporate mission and vision. Establishes measurement systems to monitor attainment of goals and objectives. Maintains departmental scorecards to show results. · Coaches and develops subordinates in process and procedure developments, applications of company policies, personnel issues, and supervisory techniques. · Write and administer performance appraisals for skill improvement and merit raises. · Ensures that subordinates have appropriate training and other resources to perform their jobs. · Works with supervisors to ensure that staffing, training, scheduling, disciplinary action and reward/recognition programs are in place and updated as needed. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education/Experience: Bachelor degree required. Minimum three year experience in communications industry in similar field of training. Language Ability: Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondence. Reasoning Ability: Ability to deal with and solve problems using solid judgment skills. Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office 2010 (Excel, Word, and Powerpoint), Project Management/EPM, and Comsoft programming software applications. Professional Appearance: Employees will professionally represent GVTC by adhering to GVTC’s Attire and Grooming Policy. Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides supervision of designated staff. Effectively and efficiently assigns and manages tasks and responsibilities. Provides appropriate coaching and counseling. Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. This job requires working in a business office with computers, printers, and light traffic. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time, attend meetings on and off premises, operate a motor vehicle, and communicate with others through the use of the telephone and internet. You must be able to lift up to 10 pounds, have close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust your focus with good hand-eye coordination Job Type: Full-time Pay: $84,948.00 – $127,422.00 per year Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Referral program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance

 

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift

 

Supplemental Pay:

  • Bonus pay

 

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • New Braunfels, TX 78132: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Senior Accountant

Date Listed: Oct 14, 2022

Company: Santa Rosa Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Department: Accounting

Location: Vernon, Texas or Wichita Falls, Texas

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Our company is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our accounting and finance team. The Senior Accountant will be responsible for assisting with the preparation of monthly financial analysis reports, developing and maintaining department budgets, and generating cost reports. The successful candidate will also collect pertinent information for third-party audits, oversee financial reporting and operations, and will be the first point of contact for accounting issues. This position could be located in Vernon or Wichita Falls. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: · Prepare accounting related entries to numerous registers, journals and logs · Follow our company’s established accounting processes · Support accounts payable activities to ensure accuracy and timeliness of invoice creation and entry · Assist with inventory and work orders as needed · Regularly maintain detailed reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts · Provide detailed analyses and explanations of all transactions · Prepare documentation for external auditors · Create and maintain asset records · Assist in the month end close process Qualifications · Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required · Master’s Degree or CPA License preferred · Proficient in Word and Excel · Strong written and oral communication skills · Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously · Strong organizational and analytical skills · Able to read and understand technical forms and financial reports · Willingness to establish and maintain effective working relationships   Send Resumes to jobs@srcaccess.net

Sales & Business Development Lead

Date Listed: Oct 14, 2022

Company: BBT

Location: Alpine, Texas

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Job Summary:

The Sales & Business Development Lead will oversee and lead the activities of the Sales Department.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Hires and sales staff.
  • Organizes and oversees the schedules, territories, and performance of sales representatives.
  • Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.  
  • Coaches employee performance in accordance with Company policy. 

 

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Develop new business opportunities for sales.
  • Provides leadership to the sales team.
  • Motivates and encourages sales team to ensure quotas are met.  
  • Reviews and analyzes sales and operational records and reports; uses data to project sales, determine profitability and targets, and identify potential new markets. 
  • Identifies and analyzes customer preferences to properly direct sales efforts.  
  • Sets quotas for sales teams.
  • Consults with potential customers to understand their needs; identifies and suggests equipment, products, or services that will meet those needs.
  • Resolves customer complaints, staffing problems, and other issues that may interfere with efficient sales operations.
  • Collaborates with executive leadership to develop sales quotas and strategies. 
  • Prepares sales budget and monitors expenses.  
  • Acts as company representative at trade association meetings.  
  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent sales and customer service skills with proven negotiation skills.
  • Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.  

 

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Business Administration, or related field, OR
  • Comparable record of sales leadership experience required.
  • At least three years of outside sales experience required.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.