In February, Chris Lehner, director–communications and education, was seated as an at-large member on the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Board of Directors.  In cooperation with NTCA and its members, FRS promotes, educates, and seeks to advance an understanding of rural telecom issues in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America.  Lehner will serve on the Board's Fund-Raising and New Initiatives committees.

At JSI, Lehner works with clients, associations, and various industry groups on educational, PR, and image/identity projects designed to promote client objectives and call attention to issues of common concern to independent providers.  He also plans and coordinates JSI’s activities with state and national telecom associations and is a frequent contributor to trade publications on key industry issues, such as legislative and regulatory policy, universal service, and competitive positioning.  He has served on the NTCA Associate Member Advisory Council, the OPASTCO and USTA associate member committees, as well as several state association planning committees.  Prior to joining JSI in 1996, Chris spent more than 13 years with NTCA, where he helped establish its Communications Division and developed NTCA’s popular PRNet program, and directed the research and analysis of NTCA's annual Compensation & Benefits report.