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. Kevin's hobbies and interests include golf, landscaping, reading and building scale wooden model ships.

Marsha Appleman joined the telephone staff for the second time in July of 1983 and was made Assistant Manager in 1987. She had previously worked for Van Buren from 1971-1974. In addition to her managerial duties, she does bookkeeping and CABS billing. She and her husband Steve have two children. Daughter, Angie and her husband Jason make their home in Evansville, Indiana where Angie teaches aerobics and takes care of their three sons, Quentin, Kortlen and Keegan. Jason is the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Evansville. Son Cameron and his wife, Angie live in Overland Park, Kansas. Cam works for SBC in sales support and Angie is a graphic designer for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Foster daughter, Kathy DeAngelis and sons, Robbie,Jr. and Colter, live in Mechanicsburg, MD where husband, Rob is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Steve and Marsha enjoy landscaping, golfing, running, swimming, biking and sporting events (Go Hawks!) as well as traveling with friends and visiting their children and grandchildren.

Office Staff

 

Connie Robinson joined Van Buren Telephone Company in September 2000. She lives in Cantril with her husband, Ron. They have two grown sons. Nathan lives in Morton, Illinois. Ross and his wife Katie live in Cedar Rapids, 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 cellular 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 will graduate in May 2005 from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa. Kathryn is in pre-pharmacy at the University of Iowa. Jan enjoys family, cooking, landscaping, walking and piano in her spare time. Jan's job duties include answering telephone billing inquiries, repair service requests, service order requests, accounts receivable and cellular phone sales.

Lisa Plowman, our newest Customer Service representative, joined Van Buren Telephone in March of 2006. She and her husband Rick live on their farm in Douds. They have two children. Jodee is in college at Iowa State University and Cale is attending Truman State University. In her spare time she likes to garden, shop and spend time with her family and friends. Lisa's job duties are customer service, billing, updating stockholder records and wireless phone sales.

Outside Technicians

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 Deputy Assessor and is involved in a number of community organizations. Deric helps coach T-Ball and 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 in the business office of the Van Buren County Memorial Hospital. They are the parents of two active daughters. Bridgette will be graduating from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa. Courtney works for the Birmingham Early Childhood Center. 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 office and drug dog handler, lives with his wife Julie in Salem, Oregon. Eric Miller and wife Marlyn live in Dayton, Ohio. Toby Kloewer teaches at the Van Buren Community Elementary Schools. Jim likes to hunt and fish and is a fan of all sports.