MTC Staff

John Tietjens, General Manager
John has been working for MTC since August 2005. John received an Associates of Applied Science from Colby Community College, graduated from North West Kansas Technical College in Telecommunications and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology Leadership from Fort Hays State University.

Becky Erickson, Office Manager/Accountant

Becky is MTC’s accountant and office manager.  She has been a part of Mutual Telephone Company since June 2007.

“Although I’m new to the telecom industry, I’ve been in the accounting field for the past 11 years. What I like most about MTC is the great group of people that I have the privilege of working with!”

Shayla Grasser, Sales & Marketing Manager

Shayla is MTC’s Sales Manager and is involved in marketing as well.  She has been with the company since January 2008.  “I enjoy working at MTC with the employees and the customers.  MTC offers great services and is expanding with the latest technology”

Shayla is married to Gary and they have three children:  Braeden, Kami and Kelltyn.  She is involved in several community organizations.  She enjoys spending time with her family and is an Oklahoma State fan.

Heath Eberle, Operations Manager

Heath has been with Mutual Telephone Company since 1999 and is involved in all aspects of operations.

Jason Crotinger, Operations Manager

Jason Crotinger grew up in the Little River area attending school in Lyons, before continuing his education in Computer Electronics from North West Kansas Technical College as well as Certification Classes in PHP Scripting Language.

“I spend most of my time working on MTC’s new Advanced Digital TV deployment, but I can also be found working with any of the many technologies we offer. Working for MTC is never boring!”

Operations Staff:

Eli Rundle

Eli graduated from North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit, KS with a degree in Advanced Computer Information Technology in June 2011.  Eli enjoys spending time outdoors, spending time with family and friends.

“I grew up in a small town and after college I ended up in a small town.  Working for MTC has taught me a lot of things and traits I didn’t learn in college. Even with a college degree going into Telecommunications was a slight scare. Working with the people I do I have learned what it takes in this industry to fulfill customer needs.”

Austin Eberle

Austin graduated from NCK Technical college  in May 2013 with a degree in telecommunications. Before coming on full time with MTC, Austin worked for four summers with MTC as summer help. In his free time he enjoys motorcycles, dirt-bikes and weightlifting.

“I am very happy about my achievements and working with MTC.”

Howard Moore

Howard stated working for MTC in 2014. He enjoys spending time with his family, and camping  in the woods.

Travis Van Vickle 

Travis moved to Kansas from Minnesota in early 2014. He lives with his wife Amber in Salina, and they are expecting their first child. Travis came to MTC with over 15 years of low voltage and telecommunications experience.

“I enjoy working with the great staff at MTC.  I am able to learn something new every day.”

Doug Eller

Doug works for MTC as a construction technician. He bores in inner duct and fiber throughout the communities. Doug grew up mostly in Atwood, KS.

He and his wife Toni have four daughters: Danielle, Leisha, Brenna and Kylie.

Micah Crider

Micah joined MTC in August of 2015. In his free time Micah enjoys being in the outdoors and doing activities such as fishing and camping. “I like working for MTC on the construction crew because I love running all of the different types of equipment!”

Chris Oliphant

Chris has traveled all over the Great Plains for 7 years working in the fiber industry. He has done everything from splicing fiber, testing and customer over homes and installing fibers. In Chris’s free time he enjoys being outside and doing outdoor activities.

“I am happy to work back in my hometown and be able to bring my past experience and skills to MTC. I enjoy working at MTC because of the work and the people”.

John Gillen

John Gillen is MTC’s new Computer repair and fiber locator. He attended Sterling College where he graduated with bachelors in Mathematics with an emphasis in Computer Science. He also met his wife at Sterling College; they have been married for three years. He has been working on computers since high school; he finds the problem solving aspect to be fulfilling. In his spare time, he enjoys learning about new things, playing video games; table top RPGs and card games with friends and family.  “Working at MTC gives me an opportunity to learn new skills and broaden the scope of the skills I already have.”

Josh Tosten

Josh started working for MTC in September 2013 as an Operations Technician.  Josh is currently engaged to be married on January 24th.In his spare time Josh enjoys eating Chinese food, cheering for KU,  doing anything outdoors, and doing competitive shooting.

Office Staff:

Gina Rugan

Gina has been with MTC since August of 2010 and is in charge of the inventory. She also continues to work part time as a registered nurse. Not surprising since she really enjoys helping others! Gina is married to Gene and has 4 children and 6 grandchildren.

“MTC is committed to providing quality service and products to our local communities and surrounding rural areas.”

Vicki Williams

Vicki has been with Mutual Telephone Company since May 2000 as an office assistant. Vicki and her husband Jeff have three children.

“MTC has grown so much since I startd with MTC. Customers will benefit from our new technology, both in town and in the surrounding areas.”

Susan Wempe

Susan joined MTC in January 2012 as an office assistant after working in banking and county government for many years.

“I enjoy working with the MTC staff and their emphasis on customer service as they provide cutting edge technology to the community.”

Dalene Teeters

Dalene came on board at MTC in March of 2015. Although she is new to the telecom industry, she has worked in the accounting field for over 25 years. Dalene is married to Don and they have three children and five grandchildren.

“I am very excited to be working for MTC”

Marketing & Sales Staff:

Kipp Cordell 

Kipp came on board full time in June 2010, as a Media Specialist. Before then, Kipp had worked part time at MTC for several summers during High School and College assisting the technicians with outside plant operations.  He graduated from Kansas State University in May of 2010 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management.  Most of his time is spent filming events and games for broadcast on the Local TV Channel, editing video projects for customers and occasionally doing the play-by-play for Little River High School Athletics.

“Growing up in Little River I enjoy being able to cover local events in the surrounding areas. Small town atmospheres are very unique and special. I’m proud that MTC can offer these media service to give us access to coverage that most small towns are not fortunate enough to have.”

Desery Orta

Desery graduated from Lyons High School in 2011. In her spare time she likes to listen to music and spend time with her little family. “I’m super excited to work at MTC where I have the opportunity to learn something different everyday.”

Cassie Taylor

Cassie is originally from Central Nebraska. She graduated in 2011 with an Associates Degree in Business. She lives in Lyons where  in her spare time she she likes to play golf and hangout with her three daughters. “I’m excited to work for a local company that has such growth potential.  I look forward to being  a part of the growth and continued support in the great communities that we serve”

Phoebe Barton

Phoebe joined MTC in October of 2015. After graduating from Little River High School she went to McPherson College where she received a Bachelor of Art Degree in Graphic Design.

“I’m happy to be back home and I am excited to start a new phase in life.”