Berberich to retire from MTA after 40 years

PALMER — The longtime head of Matanuska Telephone Association retired Friday.

A Palmer High School graduate and Chief Executive Officer Greg Berberich has been with MTA for more than 40 years, according to MTA Chief Governance Officer Earl Lackey.

“He has dedicated his working life to MTA and the board wishes to thank him for his service,” Lackey said. “He has successfully led MTA through many huge challenges during his 15 years as CEO.”

Berberich told the board in 2014 he was considering retirement, but it wasn’t until July 24 that the longtime CEO told the board July 31 would be his last day at the helm.

MTA board members met in a special meeting July 27 and voted to accept Berberich’s resignation.

“He’d talked about possibly retiring a year ago, it’s just come to the point where this is the time to do it,” Lackey said.

When the news of Berberich’s departure broke last Monday, rumors began circulating that the suddent departure was not amicable. Lackey said that’s not true.

“Things change. He’s done an excellent job working for us,” Lackey said. “We just parted company. As far as I know, we are happy and he is happy.”

He said through Berberich’s leadership, MTA is positioned as a major telecommunications company, providing members with state-of-the-art products and services.

“He has been a strong leader throughout the industry and our community,” Lackey said.

Michael C. Burke will serve as interim CEO while the board conducts a nationwide search for Berberich’s replacement, Lackey said. He said the company expects to retain a new CEO by the end of 2015.

“He will be working for us until a new person is hired,” Lackey said.

Burke is the founder and president of Burke Watson Inc. and brings more than 30 years of professional consulting and management experience with Alaska telecommunications and other utility companies to the interim position.

MTA is a member-owned cooperative, founded in 1953.

Contact Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@fronti`ersman.com.