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Elizabeth Silkwood is a woman of remarkable accomplishments. Known as “Luanne” to the local community, she has chosen to live in O’Neals her entire life. Luanna has achieved success and esteem from those who cross her path through business, community involvement and personal generosity. While involved in Ponderosa from an early age, she assumed the role of President from 1983-2014, succeeding the leadership of her father and brother. This determined mother of two successfully guided a family owned company through the most turbulent regulatory and technological evolution in the history of the telecommunications industry. As Ponderosa’s Board Chair, Luanne continues to advocate to bring expanded service to rural mountain communities and supports technological reinvestment for future growth.

Luanne’s progressive principles have helped achieve great things for her community and the telecommunications industry. With her direction, Ponderosa Telephone has initiated programs to provide Internet service and education to schools, libraries and senior centers, has donated computers, and made other contributions to enrich the lives of local residents. Her promotion of the rural lifestyle continues through her charitable foundation, where she encourages young people across the Central Valley to consider a career in agriculture. In 2000 and 2001 Luanne was awarded state and national Honorary Future Farmer of America degrees for outstanding contributions made to youth through education and the FFA.

In 2003 she received the prestigious Marjaree Mason Top Ten Business Professional Women of the Year Award for her accomplishments in professional and community leadership. Luanne was the first woman to become President of the California Telephone Association (1985-1987). Her philosophy of deploying voice and broadband technology to underserved rural areas demonstrates her commitment to enriching the rural American heritage and the lifestyle she loves.