[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO TOM M. PHELPS

 Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Tom M. Phelps 
on his retirement as chief executive officer, CEO, of Plateau 
Telecommunications, New Mexico's oldest telecommunications company. Tom 
leaves Plateau after a distinguished career of more than 20 years in my 
home State of New Mexico and more than 50 years in the 
telecommunications industry.
  Plateau began as Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative in 
1949 when a group of civic leaders, farmers, and ranchers responded to 
the need of rural New Mexico for affordable, reliable telephone 
service. The next year, the cooperative received its first Federal loan 
of $581.00 to construct and operate telephone lines and facilities in 
Curry, De Baca, Quay, Roosevelt, and contiguous counties.
  Tom joined Plateau in 1995 as assistant general manager. However, it 
was not long before he took the helm in 1997 as general manager. The 
title changed to CEO in 2001.
  During his 21 years of leadership at Plateau, he has improved the 
quality of life for those in our rural communities through deployment 
of modern telecommunication services, community economic development 
partnerships, and participation in many local philanthropic projects, 
community events, and educational enterprises.
  Tom oversaw the company as it grew and changed--when it first offered 
high speed DSL internet service and a fiber-to-the-home program. He 
managed expenditure of $116 million to install over 5,200 miles of 
fiber-optic cable across eastern and central New Mexico and to expand 
high-speed internet access to critical community institutions. This 
facilitated distance learning so children in rural schools can access 
resources that are not available in their hometowns. And it has enabled 
hospitals to use telehealth to improve care and provide services they 
can't offer in person. Plateau's service area now extends in 25 
counties in New Mexico and western Texas, covering 25,000 square miles. 
Under his leadership, Plateau's technology has been and continues to be 
state-of-the-art. In 2015, Plateau was the fastest home internet 
service provider in New Mexico.
  Bringing affordable and reliable telephone service to rural areas is 
key to economic development. Plateau brought service to rural New 
Mexico when larger, national companies would not. Its investments in 
telecommunication services created many business opportunities in rural 
Eastern New Mexico, supporting and enhancing economic stability in the 
region.
  When Plateau decided to sell its mobile wireless operations, the 
company anticipated having to lay off 70 employees. At that time, Tom 
was eligible to retire, but he stayed until he made sure his employees 
were taken care of. As the company transitioned, he provided early 
retirement for employees and made sure there were no layoffs.
  Under Tom's management, Plateau continually contributed to the 
communities it served. Plateau collected school supplies for local 
school children, provided economic development grants for new 
businesses, and annually gave over $70,000 in scholarships to area high 
school students.
  Tom has been active in many local, State, and national activities. He 
received the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award in 2014, 
which recognizes those who have made ``unusual contributions to the 
public service and to the improvement of government at all levels by 
both government employees and private citizens.'' His service as a 
member of the Clovis Committee of 50, Cannon Air Force Base support 
groups, and the Plains Regional Medical Center Board, as well as his 
continued support for the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce and 
United Way of Eastern New Mexico contributed to his selection.
  Tom's dedication, leadership, and business acumen--and personal 
commitment to Plateau employees and his community--have made a 
difference in the lives of many people across our State.
  We wish him continued success and that he and his wife Candyce enjoy 
retirement.

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