Hays, KS, March 10, 2025 — During NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association’s RTIME Conference in San Antonio in February, Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA CEO, honored Michael Pollock, Nex-Tech’s Chief Operating Officer, with the nationally-recognized Key Employee Award of Excellence. The Key Employee Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to a company’s growth and success in areas such as engineering, data processing, customer relations or general administration.

Mike’s oversight of Nex-Tech’s Operations Team has led Nex-Tech’s core service footprint to grow to more than 11,000 square miles, all served with fiber. He has led the development of a Nex-Tech Cybersecurity Team that is viewed as an industry leader in cybersecurity best practices. Mike was instrumental in partnering with North Central Kansas Technical College (now Fort Hays Tech | North Central) to resurrect NCK Tech’s Telecommunications Program and implemented a Technology Education Sponsorship Program. His leadership was instrumental in reviving the program and garnering support from other companies.

Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech’s CEO, shared the following: “Mike has been instrumental in the success and evolution of Nex-Tech from a small rural telephone cooperative into a leading technology company serving customers across the nation. Mike has always been a driving force and someone always willing to roll up his sleeves and lead his knowledge and experience to our efforts. I am humbled to work with a leader like Mike.”