Staff & Board :: Van Buren Telephone

Staff & Board

MANAGEMENT

Kevin Hranicka came to Van Buren Telephone Company to assume the duties of General Manager on March 30, 1998. Kevin’s career includes previous employment with Northern Arkansas Telephone Company, Contel/GTE Telephone Systems and Titonka Telephone Company.

Marsha Appleman joined the Van Buren Telephone Staff in July of 1983 as bookkeeper and was named Assistant Manager in 1987. She had previously worked for the company from 1971-1974 and worked for 3 years at the Van Buren County Hospital business office. Marsha and her husband Steve have two children. Daughter Angie and her husband Jason make their home in Oxford Mississippi where Jason is assistant strength coach for the Ole Miss football program (Hotty Toddy, Go Rebels). Angie teaches aerobics and cares for their three sons, Quentin, Kortlen and Keegan and daughter Claire. Son Cameron and wife Angie reside in Kansas City with son Zeb. Cam owns All Seasons Lawn Care and Landscaping and Angie is a graphic designer with Hallmark Cards. Foster daughter Kathy DeAngelis and sons Robbie Jr. and Colter live in Mechanicsburg, MD where husband, Rob is employed at Andrews Air Force Base. Marsha enjoys landscaping, golfing, tennis, walking, swimming, and sporting events (go Hawks), as well as traveling with friends and visiting children and grandchildren (a source of pride and joy for Nana & Papa).

STAFF

Connie Robinson joined Van Buren Telephone Company in September 2000. She lives near Keosauqua with her husband, Ron. They have two grown sons. Nathan lives in Morton, Illinois. Ross and grandchildren Amelia and Zander live in Marion, IA. Ron and Connie are involved in many community activities. In her spare time she likes to read, shop, travel and spend time with family and friends. Connie’s job duties include accounts payable, customer service and wireless phone sales.

Jan Lee joined Van Buren Telephone Company in June, 2001. She and her husband Larry, live in Keosauqua. He is a registered pharmacist and owner of Lee Pharmacy. They have two daughters. Shelly lives in North Liberty and is a pharmacist for Walgreen’s in Cedar Rapids. Kathryn lives in North Liberty and is a student in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa. Jan enjoys family, friends, cooking, landscaping, walking and piano in her spare time. Jan’s job duties include accounts receivable, customer service and wireless phone sales.

Lisa Plowman joined Van Buren Telephone in March of 2006. She and her husband Rick live on their farm in Douds. They have two grown children. Jodee lives in Olsburg, Kansas with her husband Mitch and son Braac . Cale farms with his dad and lives in Douds. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her family and friends. Lisa’s job duties are customer service, billing, wireless phone sales and updating stockholder records.

Rodger Syfert was hired as an installation and repair technician in January of 1994. He brings many skills to the job and helps out on construction as well. Rodger is married to Deborah and they have a daughter, Tarrah and a son, Tanner. They live just south of Keosauqua in a home they built. Rodger enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Nathan Adkins has been employed by VBTC since October of 1992. Nathan grew up in the Donnellson area but now lives in Stockport with his wife Teresa, who teaches in the Van Buren Elementary Schools, and sons Mitch and Tommy . Nathan helps bury and locate cable and assists on installations and repair. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, restoring cars and coaching

Deric Saunders has been with the telephone company since August of 1991. After receiving DMS-10 switch training, he became the central office technician. Deric and his wife Dixie live in Bonaparte with their three children, Jessica, Garret and Bonnie. Dixie is the Van Buren County Assessor and is involved in a number of community organizations. Deric loves spending time with his family doing outdoor activities like boating, fishing and archery. Deric’s passion, outside of work and family, is wildlife. He loves to bow hunt and work his hunting dogs

Kit Newman started working for Van Buren Telephone in August of 1985. His role with Van Buren changes with the seasons. During the spring, summer and fall Kit is chiefly responsible for outside plant activities including burying cable, locating and marking lines, and maintaining equipment. During the winter months he has been busy upgrading maps and does various handyman jobs for us. He and wife Cathy are native Keosauquans. Cathy works at Center Village. They are the parents of two active daughters. Bridgette is a pharmacist for Walgreens and lives in North Liberty with husband, Clint and two children Reece and Harper. Courtney works for the Center Village and lives in Keosauqua with her husband, Andrew. Kit is active in the Keosauqua Fire Department. He enjoys boating and fishing with friends and does carpentry work in his spare time

Jim Kloewer has been employed by VBTC since May of 1978. He is an installation and repair technician. Jim also helps out locating cable and with other plant activities. He and his wife Sara (better known as Sally) are the parents of three sons. Adam Miller, a police officer and drug dog handler, lives with his wife Julie and daughter Maddie in Salem, Oregon. Eric Miller and wife Marlyn live in Omaha, NE. Toby Kloewer, wife Emily and daughter Leala live in Raleigh, NC. Toby works for Vertical Solutions and Emily is a teacher. Jim likes to hunt and fish and is a fan of all sports.