(HILLSBORO, OR) -- January 17, 2019 – Ryan Hakes has been
named the new Ruralite Services Director of Marketing and Business Development.
A native of Florida, Hakes heads to the Northwest after
guiding his own marketing company in suburban Detroit. He starts his new role
at Ruralite January 28. Prior to running his own firm, Hakes served as
marketing director, producer and director/editor for a variety of companies and institutions.
Kathi VanderZanden, the company’s current Director of
Communications and Marketing, is retiring after 18 years in public power, the
last five with Ruralite.
“Kathi had done a remarkable job with the marketing and
communications efforts at Ruralite and our affiliated companies,” said Ruralite
CEO Michael Shepard. “She has established a firm foundation for the department
and we’re eager for Ryan and our talented marketers and content creators to
build on that success.”
Though he is new to the utility industry, Hakes has worked
in education, for a faith-based organization and in health care. He has
significant experience, and a particular interest in, digital marketing and
film production. Hakes holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership and
communications from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
“In Ryan, we think we’ve found the right person to lead our
marketing and business development initiatives,” Shepard said. “We also expect
him to play a key role in our product development efforts, which will be
informed by our other team members and, of course, our industry partners.”
He and his wife, Julie, are the parents of two sets of
twins, ages 8 and 2.
