Return to Archived Stories

"This is a challenging time for the telecom industry, and I am honored to serve as the USTA's second vice chairman," South said. "I look forward to continuing my work with USTA, helping to develop a strong, clear agenda for the industry that addresses today's economic realities in the telecom sector."

South currently serves as the chief executive officer at Lakedale Communications in Annandale, which provides telecommunication services in eight communities, including Paynesville, Roscoe, and Lake Henry. He has been with Lakedale since 1992 and has held various positions throughout the telecom industry for the past 33 years.

"Gene brings tremendous knowledge and insight about the telecom industry to the USTA board," said Walter B McCormick Jr., president and CEO of USTA. "I look forward to working with Gene in the coming years as we work with key policymakers and regulators to address outdated telecom regulations."

South has served on USTA's board for nearly a decade and has contributed to the association with his work on USTA's executive and small company committees. He is also active in several other telecom organizations, including the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative, the Minnesota Telephone Association, and the Minnesota Association for Rural Telecommunications.

USTA is a trade association for the converged telecommunications industry, serving telecom companies worldwide that provide service or supply local exchange, long distance, wireless, Internet, and cable industries.