BalsamWest FiberNet has an active managing board.

The board is made of two members each from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Drake Enterprises. The board has also provided the position of Community Interest Director to Southwestern Community College.

Chairman of the Board: Tim Hubbs

Vice Chairman of the Board: Brandon Stephens

Treasurer: David Hubbs

Community Interest Director: Dr. Cecil Groves

Member: Barbara Palmer Vicknair

Tim Hubbs – Chairman of the Board – Tim Hubbs holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a MBA, both from Western Carolina University. After receiving his CPA certificate in 1981, he joined the firm of Ernst & Whinney. He then joined East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in 1984, and when he left in 1991, he was the Vice President of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer. From there, he went to Drake Software, where he is currently the President. Mr. Hubbs was appointed to the Board of Directors on December 12, 2003.

Brandon Stephens – Vice Chairman of the Board – In the seven years that Brandon Stephens has been a Planner-Grant Writer for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he has secured approximately eight million dollars in grants from federal, state, private and corporate sources. In addition, Mr. Stephens has also served as a liaison for community and economic development on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Reservation Trust Property. Mr. Stephens holds a degree in business administration and law from Western Carolina University. Mr. Stephens was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 10, 2003. Mr. Stephens is also the previous Vice-chairman of the Board.

David Hubbs – Treasurer – David Hubbs currently serves as the Director of Internet Services for Drake Enterprises, Inc., a position he has held for eight years. Prior to joining Drake Enterprises, Mr. Hubbs served as a Store Systems Developer for Barnes and Noble, Inc. where he was responsible for documentation and training. His other previous experience includes serving as a Special Projects Manager and ATM Coordinator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Federal Credit Union. Mr. Hubbs was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 10, 2003.

Dr. Cecil L. Groves – Community Interest Director – Dr. Groves serves as President of Southwestern Community College and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Groves has served as the Chancellor for the Texas State Technical College System, the President of Pikes Peak Community College, the President of Austin Community College, and the Executive Vice President and Provest of Delagado College. In addition, Dr. Groves has served as the Manager for Educational Applications for Bausch & Lomb. He also has been a member of the Rural Internet Access Authority for North Carolina, a position appointed by the North Carolina Speaker of the House. Dr. Groves was a principal of the Appalachian Access Initiative in Western North Carolina. Dr. Groves joined the Board of Directors on November 10, 2003.

Barbara Palmer Vicknair – Corporate Secretary – Currently in second term with Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and have served as Chairman five of the seven years. I have been instrumental in securing over $25 Million in federal appropriations and grants for infrastructure and schools in Cherokee County. I currently serve on The Rural Center Board, The Community Development Council, Smoky Mountain Mental Health Board, Smart Start Board, The Cherokee Preservation Foundation Board, The Steering Committee of the Three Corners Economic Development, and the Cherokee County DSS Board. In the past I served as a Governor's appointment to the Rural Prosperity Task Force. I have an accounting background and until recently was a small business owner in Murphy.

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