OCTOBER 2, 2007 By Stephen Hardy -- Ron Troyer, outside plant (OSP) and central office plant manager at independent telco Union Telephone Co., received the 2007 FTTXcellence Award October 1 at the FTTH Conference in Orlando, FL.
The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of optical technology in access networks in North America. Troyer was cited for leading Union Telephone, headquartered in Farmington, NH, to an FTTH deployment that so far has covered 2,000 of the company's 8,000 access lines. Union Telephone is the first independent telephone company in New Hampshire and among the first in the Northeast outside of Verizon to deploy FTTH technology.
Now in its fourth year, the FTTXcellence Award is co-sponsored by Corning Inc. and Lightwave. In announcing Troyer as this year's recipient during the conference's keynote ceremonies on October 1, Corning Cable Systems President and CEO Larry Aiello praised Troyer for his FTTH leadership.
"The individual nominated by his peers and selected as the 2007 recipient of the FTTxcellence Award has embraced technology and innovation, leading his company to become a pioneer in the State of New Hampshire and in the entire northeastern region of the United States," Aiello said. "Faced with increased penetration by cable TV, he saw FTTH as a way to protect and increase his company's business. He had the foresight to understand the advantages of using the new FTTH architecture, as well as a new deployment technology providing superior value."
Troyer received a Steuben crystal sculpture in recognition of his achievements. A $7,500 donation in his name also was presented to One Economy Corp., a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing broadband access to low-income citizens. Waldo McMillan, vice president and general counsel of One Economy, accepted the donation during the award presentation.
Individuals can only be nominated for the FTTXcellence Award by one of their peers. Michael Fuce, regional sales manager at Embarq Logistics, submitted Troyer's name for consideration.
A profile of Troyer and the FTTH deployment now underway at Union Telephone will appear in the December issue of Lightwave.
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