All six employees were former Clas.net employees and chose to join Big River Telephone as of November 1, 2004. Clas.net was a leading Internet Service Provider serving the Southeast Missouri market and was one of the pioneers in bringing dial up Internet service to the area.

Andrew Shain, Cape, will be working in the Network Operations Center and will be responsible for administration and maintenance of Internet and data services. Shain began his career in technology as a hardware technician for Innovative Micro Solutions in Poplar Bluff. Shain was promoted to Network Administrator after two years of service and then moved to working with Clas.net as a Network Administrator. Shain worked for Clas.net for three years before the acquisition handling all data circuits, server administration, and as the primary contact for larger business customers. He is married and has one daughter.

Carolyn Davis, Jackson, will work as Collections Manager for Big River Telephone. Davis started with Clas.net as Outside Service Coordinator in March of 1997 and moved into multiple job roles as manager in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Human Resources and Payroll as well as assisted in day to day operations of the Service Department. Davis is married and has two children.

Kim Barnard, Jackson, has worked in the telecom industry for several years and then became employed by Clas.net where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for 1 ½ years. She will continue her career with Big River Telephone as an Executive Assistant. Barnard is married with four children.

Trafton Clark, Cape Girardeau, will continue his career with Big River Telephone in Internet Technical Support as a Customer Service Representative. Clark has been with Clas.net for one year and served in a similar role at Clas.net.

Phillip Hupp, Jackson, is an Outside Service Technician for Big River Telephone. Hupp has worked at Clas.net in a similar role since August 2003 and has a strong history working in the technology installation industry.

Phil Matrisotto, Cape Girardeau, will continue his career as an Inside Service Technician as well as serving as technical support for Customer Service. Matrisotto is certified by Microsoft as a Windows 2000 professional and is currently working to achieve his administrator certification.

Big River Telephone would like to welcome all new employees from Clas.net to the Big River Telephone family. “We are impressed with the experience and value our new employees will bring to the table,” said Kevin Cantwell, President, Big River Telephone.