Keith Gabbard

CEO
Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

Keith Gabbard, CEO of Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) in McKee, KY, has nearly 45 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, having served in numerous positions within PRTC before becoming CEO in 1996. Under his direction, PRTC has grown from being a POTS-only provider, to becoming a broadband and HDTV cable provider, utilizing a recently constructed state-of-the-art FTTH network. PRTC was recently selected as a recipient of NTCA’s Smart Rural Community award.

Gabbard holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a lifelong resident of McKee, serves on many local and national boards and is involved in many civic organizations. Gabbard works diligently to improve economic development in his community, which has a high poverty and high unemployment rate.