Leading the Tech Revolution: MTA builds infrastructure and networks for the long-term.

• Position: CORPORATE 100 SPECILA SECTION / MTA

The November 30, 2018. earthquake was not an insignificant event. But despite experiencing a pretty good shake, Matanuska Telephone Association (MTA) CEO Michael Burke is proud to report that the association's network didn't have any service outages, though in some areas it ran on backup power for a short time.

it's symbolic of how MTA has found solid ground in the midst of significant changes in its industry. Burke says, "Across the country, telecommunications co-ops are struggling in this landscape of extreme technological change. Not us. MTA continues to grow and develop during a time of immense change."

MTA and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been growing in many ways, including expanding its team of employees and its engagement with the community. "I probably lost count in terms of how many people we've added in the last several years," Burke says.

To find quality employees, MTA's HR team regularly participates in recruitment efforts, including attending job fairs, sponsoring internship programs, and working with the Alaska Job Corps Center located in Palmer on internships and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) through apprenticeship programs "to hopefully bring in new talent and train them up."

While recruitment officers are looking for candidates with a strong, applicable skill set, Burke emphasizes that it's equally important that potential employees are excited to learn and grow and are coachable.

This willingness and eagerness to learn is met with training and educational opportunities on day one and throughout an employee's career at MTA, "We try to make sure we give people the right tools and education to be successful." Burke says, including onsite or offsite training programs, as well as technical, marketing, or business-related education. "We try to customize it as much as possible for what that employee may need, not onlyjust to do their job today but also for career development in the future."

To that end, MTA has a strong continuing education program for its employees. "We allow employees to go out and do graduate level work or certification. We pay for that--encouraging people to add to their skill sets--which benefits both the employee as well as the company." MTA offers tuition assistance up to 80 percent for formal education and pays 100 percent for training and certifications required for an employee's position.

MTA supports and rewards its employees beyond just professional development. For...