Berberich to retire from MTA after 40 years

PALMER — The longtime head of Matanuska Telephone Association will retire next week.

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.”

Lackey 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, according to a MTA press release announcing the change. A new CEO is expected to be retained by the end of 2015, MTA says.

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.