Brainerd, MN – At the employee meeting on Tuesday, October 22, Chad Larson wasn’t expecting his family and friends to walk through the doors of the CTC garage. In fact, when Kristi Westbrock, CTC’s CEO and General Manager, started talking about a special award, he didn’t think she was referring to him. But she most definitely was.
“As our Sales Engineer, Chad does an exceptional job of helping businesses find the best solutions to meet their needs,” said Westbrock. “But outside of work he really goes above and beyond.”
Larson was selected as the recipient of the Special Achievement Award at the NTCA 2019 Fall Conference in Denver, Colorado. NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, represents over 850 community-based telecommunications companies throughout the nation.
Chad was nominated by his coworker and friend, Eryk Haapajoki, for the countless hours he’s spent supporting the Ronald McDonald House Motorcycle Rally over the past 11 years. Held in New York Mills, the annual event raises money to support the 900+ families that use the Ronald McDonald House’s services in Fargo each year.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, Chad first got involved in the event as a participant. Then the event founder – his best friend’s dad – roped him into being a road guard. When he heard from families affected by the Ronald McDonald house… “it was all downhill from there.”
Six years of road guarding led to joining the planning committee. From there he served as a board member, vice president, and most recently as president for the past five years. As his wife Dawn said, “his helpful nature took over and allowed him to take on bigger and bigger roles and responsibilities!”
Each year the 30-member committee secures over 100 volunteers to run the event and their fundraising speaks volumes. Community support has generated over $1.7 MILLION for the Ronald McDonald House in the past 17 years!!
In addition to Larson’s family and friends, Diane Lee from the Rally committee, and Jill Christopher and Erica Johnsrud from Ronald McDonald House, joined in the surprise.
Chad, and his wife, Dawn, will be attending the 2020 NTCA Rural Telecom Industry Meeting and Expo (RTIME), February 16-19 in Phoenix, Arizona to be recognized and formally accept the award.
For more information, contact:
Andy Isackson, Chief Marketing Officer
218-454-1234 | marketing@goctc.com
CTC is a technology advisor and full-service telecommunications company based in Brainerd, MN. Formed in 1952, CTC has grown into a complete communications provider offering telephone, high-speed internet, digital television, and IT services to businesses and individuals throughout central and northern Minnesota. More information about CTC can be found at www.goctc.com