Home, Kan. — January 28, 2015 – Brian Thomason, chief executive officer of Blue Valley Tele-Communications/Networks Plus has been invited to present a seminar to graduate students and faculty of the Kansas State University agronomy department at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in Throckmorton Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public.  

Thomason will discuss the advancement in communications technology in its relationship to growth in the agriculture industry in the United States. He will focus specifically on the value and importance of development and utilization of technology within the agricultural community. Discussing case studies and real world scenarios combined with current and future risks and challenges, the lecture will encourage students to think not only outside the box, but as if the box simply does not exist.

“It is imperative we change the perception that rural America is limited on technology, skills, and innovation,” said Thomason. “This seminar will challenge students to discover ways technology can be utilized to make the agriculture industry more efficient.” Thomason went on to say, “If the projections currently being made from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are correct, food production must increase by over 70% in order to feed the world in 2050. Since we are likely not going to gain additional resources by means of land, water, or farmers, it will be up to this graduate class to look to technology for the solution.”

Brian Thomason is the CEO of Blue Valley Tele-Communications/Networks Plus (BVTC/NWP) with Kansas offices in Home, Manhattan, Salina, and Topeka. With 34 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Thomason has a strong background in technology and business. Having risen through the ranks, he has been deeply involved in installation, outside plant, engineering, operations, central office, project management, and executive level management.

Before joining BVTC/NWP, he worked for companies including Verizon, TW Telecom, and Endeavor Communications. Mr. Thomason has been the recipient of numerous industry awards, including most recently a national executive leadership award. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University.