We continue to work tirelessly making the necessary advancements in our network to accommodate the growing needs of our customers.


SkyLine has had an outstanding year. We have made exciting strides as we continue to be the technology company in our region. It is often said of weather in the High Country, “If you do not like the weather, just hang around for a few minutes, as it will change.” This can also be said of the telecom industry. Change is a constant, and we continue to work tirelessly making the necessary advancements in our network to accommodate the growing needs of our customers. While change is a known constant, another constant is our unwavering commitment to customer service.
VOICE & INTERNET SERVICES
SKYLINE & SKYBEST COMBINED

Above: Video Operations Coordinator Tyler Rash readies to review the latest news broadcast with the studio’s playback equipment.


The addition of live, local event coverage has been accomplished thanks to the team efforts of SkyZhone’s video production group. Pictured left to right are: Video Production Engineer Corbin Richardson, Videographer Angus Lamond, Executive Director of Engineering Operations Robbie Farmer, and Video Operations Coordinator Tyler Rash.
Innovative
Digital HD • Broadcast • Local
Above: The latest area to get fiber-based services in SkyLine’s systemwide overbuild is the downtown business community of West Jefferson.


SkyLine Inside Sales Coordinator Robin Miller discusses how Mountain View TV can include SkyBest TV in a money-saving bundle of services with owners Jerry Abreu (left) and George Santana (center).
Expanding
FTTH • Network • Community
When we decided to construct a complete fiber overbuild, it meant building a future-proof network, enabling us to offer a superior and more reliable service.
Jimmy Blevins, SkyLine CEO
Above: SkyBest’s Zach Davis shows Jenny Schrum of Safe Haven Mini Storage how she can access real-time video surveillance of her business property via her computer and wireless phone through Total Connect Video Solutions.


Strategic
Products • Solutions • Peace of mind
Above: Employees come together from across the region to walk the track lined with luminaries in honor of survivors and in memory of those lost to cancer.


SkyLine and its employees have supported Relay for Life for 20 years, finding creative ways to raise money for cancer research including chicken barbecues, bake sales, prime rib dinners and most recently, an annual pledge campaign.
Awareness
Education • Advocacy • Commitment

SkyLine Membership Corporation Board of Directors
Standing left to right: Jerry Roten, Raymond Parker, Attorney; Molly Gambill, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer; Tommy Joe Ward, Bill Burleson, Olan Bentley.
Seated left to right: Jimmy Blevins, CEO; Joseph McNeil, Vice President; R.C. Mitchell, President; James L. Shepherd, Secretary; D.C. Smith, Treasurer.
SkyBest Communications, Inc. Board of Directors
Standing left to right: Raymond Parker, Attorney; Sharon Kasel; R.C. Mitchell, Assistant Secretary; James L. Shepherd, Chairman.
Seated left to right: Haskell McGuire, Secretary; Jimmy Blevins, President; Dennis Gambill, Vice President; Joseph McNeil, Treasurer.
How our dollars are spent
Total: $41,230,695
Maintenance: $13,011,706 / 31.56%
Depreciation: $9,699,964 / 23.45%
Member Ownership: $7,205,940 / 17.48%
Customer/Corporate Operations: $10,737,014 / 26.04%
Federal & State Taxes: $267,539 / 0.65%
Interest on Debt: $338,532 / 0.82%

How our dollars are received
Total: $41,230,695
Local Service: $8,122,974 / 19.70%
Toll/Access: $13,548,100 / 32.86%
Bad Debt Expense: ($23,015) / -0.06%
Other Sales & Service Income: $14,502,255 / 35.17%
Miscellaneous: $2,228,510 / 5.40%
Non-Operating Revenue: $2,851,871 / 6.92%

Heart Association Activities
SkyLine supplies the phone bank for the annual Heart Fund Auction in Ashe County, and its employees, pictured here with Sir Purr of the Carolina Panthers at this year’s Heart Walk, field a team to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Scholarship
As the cooperative’s flagship youth program and now in its 27th year, the Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship is presented annually to children of SkyLine/SkyBest customers. Selection is based on academics, financial need and school and community involvement.

Christmas Charities
Along with making Christmas brighter for children through the Interagency Christmas Project, employees also supported Appalachian Senior Programs, delivering food and Christmas gifts here that are earmarked for elderly residents.Employees also help individual families in area counties with gifts, heating assistance and other needs.

Directory Drive & Recycling
Now in its 22nd year, SkyLine’s Directory Collection Drive collects thousands of old directories with the help of 17 area public schools. For their part, schools receive a quarter for each old directory they collect. Pictured here are students from Westwood Elementary who help School Media Coordinator Laura Bowers to collect these books that are ultimately recycled for other uses.

Project Teamwork
Project Teamwork is our employee-led community outreach program, which provides financial relief to area families during times of crisis. This program has contributed more than $100,000 to help our neighbors across the region since 1997.

FRS Youth Tour
Hannah Weatherman and Luke Cullifer represented SkyLine at the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. They experienced a close-up view of our nation’s capital, including this visit to the Federal Communications Commission, and learned about the vital role of telecommunications in rural communities.

Co-op Camp & Beyond
This summer, nine area high school students attended Cooperative Leadership Camp at White Lake. The program helps students build leadership skills while learning about the role of cooperatives. Two of our campers, Matt Carson and Deannh Milhalhe, were chosen to attend the National Institute on Cooperative Education at Virginia Tech in July, and one of our 2013 campers, Kayra Osborne, received the Jim Graham Cooperative Leadership Scholarship worth $1,000.