News
HTC CEO Curley P. Huggins to Retire
October 22, 2009
HTC CEO to Retire December 31, 2009 After 22 Years as Local Communications Provider’s Leader and More than 35 Years With the Cooperative
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October 22, 2009, Conway, S.C. – Representatives from HTC (Horry Telephone Cooperative) Inc. today announced that the Cooperative’s chief executive officer (CEO) Curley P. Huggins will be retiring. Huggins announced his decision to retire during his annual address to the Cooperative at the HTC 2009 Annual Membership Meeting, which was held Tuesday, October 20 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
It is expected that Huggins will continue to work over the next several months as a part of a transition plan until the HTC Board of Directors names a new CEO. |
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In 1972 Horry Telephone Cooperative had approximately 10,000 access lines, and it was the Cooperative’s sole line of business. Over the last 37 years, HTC has grown its products, services, and technology to include cable television, wireless, long distance, operator services, broadband Internet and a host of other solutions to benefit the communities that it serves. Over that period of time, HTC has been fortunate to have strong leadership from its Board of Directors and CEO.
A native of Horry County, Huggins grew up in the Floyds community and is happy to call HTC headquarters location, Conway, S.C., home.
“I am very proud and pleased of the many accomplishments that we, as a Cooperative team, have been able to achieve in my years of service here,” said Huggins. “HTC has been my second family for nearly four decades, and I want to thank each of the employees who have worked to ensure our growth and success, and I want to encourage the spirit of the Cooperative to live on for our future employees and member and customers.”
“Curley has always kept HTC on the forefront with regards to technology and products. His passion for the Cooperative is evident in his dedication and service through some of the most volatile technology and regulatory challenges over the years,” said Board Chairman, Ken Summerall. “We owe him a deep dept of gratitude and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Huggins began his career in 1972, working in various departments across the organization including: Plant; Engineering; and Accounting before he was named CEO in 1987. He has served on numerous state and national industry boards and is currently on the board of National Telcom Insurance Group, and serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the National Telephone Cooperative Association. In addition, Huggins is a past board member of the Conway Chamber of Commerce and also served on Horry County’s Technical Education Committee.
During his tenure as CEO of HTC, Huggins encouraged state and national partnerships and was passionate about Cooperatives working together for the good of the rural member/customer. Under his guidance, HTC grew to be the largest telephone cooperative in the United States and the 18th largest telephone company.
For more information on Mr. Huggins, or HTC, call Brent Groome at 843-369-8393 or via e-mail at brent.groome@htcinc.net.
