NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced the official results of its 2026 Board of Directors election, marking one of the strongest principal-contractor participation rates in recent history. The Association’s independent accounting firm, VRS, tabulated and certified all ballots cast, confirming the election of five candidates who will assume their posts in February 2026.
Three incumbents, Victor Drouin, Mike Young, and Chris Mallon, secured re-election, reflecting member confidence in NATE’s current strategic trajectory. They will be joined by two first-time board members, Diek Brunscheen and Alicia Titus, both of whom bring significant industry credentials and fresh perspectives as NATE navigates an era of evolving safety requirements, workforce development pressures, and shifting contractor-carrier dynamics.
Also running in the close race were Ken Clark, Founder and CEO of Engineering Wireless Services; Andy Page Lee, Co-Owner and Vice President of Operations, Lee Antenna & Line Service, Inc.; Jeff Little, Chief Executive Officer, Above Wireless LLC; and Mark Muzzana, Founder of STG Family of Companies.
The newly elected directors will formally take their seats during NATE UNITE 2026, the Association’s annual conference and trade show, which will be held in Las Vegas.
Three-Year Terms
Victor Drouin – President, Green Mountain Communications, Inc. (Pembroke, NH)
Re-elected to another term, Victor Drouin brings more than four decades of experience to the NATE Board and currently serves as its Chairman. A tower technician-turned-business owner, Drouin launched Green Mountain Communications in 1993 after beginning his career climbing towers in 1981 and working across 42 states. Under his leadership, Green Mountain has grown into a respected New England contractor employing more than 65 seasoned professionals.
Drouin has played a pivotal role in elevating NATE’s influence in national standards development and industry advocacy. He represents NATE on crucial committees including A10.48, A10.44, Z359, and the TR-14 group responsible for the TIA-222 and 322 structural standards governing tower design. He is also involved with the Tower Family Foundation, the NWSA Board, and key negotiations with carriers on pricing models and workforce pressures. Members ultimately rewarded his long-standing leadership and continued voice on issues such as matrix pricing, MSA reform, and protecting certified workforce pathways.
Mike Young – CEO, ANCO Wireless (Hartford, SD)
Mike Young secured another three-year term, continuing his ascent from tower technician to executive leadership within a top regional contractor. With more than 20 years in the field, Young’s career has progressed from climber to crew chief, and later to project manager before becoming CEO and shareholder of ANCO Wireless.
Young currently serves as NATE’s Secretary/Treasurer, overseeing major initiatives including workforce development strategy, the Climber Connection Task Team, and the ongoing transition of the NWSA Practical Exam to NATE. His priorities emphasize practical, field-centric solutions—improving safety practices, modernizing STAR program software, and ensuring climbers’ voices remain central to infrastructure policy. His re-election signals continued support for leadership that can bridge front-line realities with national advocacy.
Alicia Titus – Owner and President, Meridian Blue Construction (Lakeville, MN)
A first-time Board member, Alicia Titus enters her term with a unique blend of industry, legal, and advocacy experience. A licensed attorney and the founder of Meridian Blue Construction, Titus has grown her firm into a NATE STAR Initiative participant serving carriers and governmental entities across multiple states. Her background in contract negotiation and policy interpretation positions her to address complex commercial and regulatory issues shaping the contractor ecosystem.
Titus has been active within NATE for years, serving on both the Trade Show Committee and Women of NATE, and participating in federal advocacy efforts during the DC Fly-In. Her election reflects member interest in strengthening the organization’s negotiation posture with carriers, modernizing workforce pipelines, and improving business sustainability for small and mid-sized contractors.
Diek Brunscheen – CEO & Partner, Viking Maintenance (Hiawatha, IA)
First-time Board member Diek Brunscheen enters his term with more than 25 years of tower-industry experience, beginning as a climber in 1997 before advancing into field leadership and later executive management. In the early 2000s, he led a gin pole crew stacking guyed towers across the Midwest, work that helped shape his practical, safety-driven approach to operations. After managing crews for more than a decade, he stepped into leadership in 2008 and launched his own business in 2017, gaining broad experience across microwave, lighting, structural, and civil technologies.
Brunscheen remains closely connected to field technicians, emphasizing the importance of bringing the everyday climber’s perspective into NATE’s decision-making. He has served the past three years on the NATE–OSHA–FCC Partnership Data & Research Committee and has been active at industry events, deepening his commitment to advancing safety, improving member benefits, and strengthening collaboration among contractors. His election reflects member support for leadership that can blend field experience with a fresh, solutions-oriented outlook.
Two-Year Term (Vacated Seat)
Chris Mallon – Owner, TowerMRL, LLC. (Cottage Grove, WI)
Re-elected to complete the remaining two-year term on a previously vacated seat, Chris Mallon continues a tenure marked by hands-on leadership in workforce training, member services, and long-term financial planning. As owner and managing member of TowerMRL — a NATE member since 2005 — Mallon oversees tower operations, safety programs, personnel development, and equipment procurement.
His board service spans several committees including Workforce Development, Member Services, and Financial Investment. Mallon has also led NATE’s communications and website modernization efforts, guiding the Association through the branding and digital updates necessary to support a fast-changing industry. His re-election demonstrates trust in his steady operational leadership and continued advocacy for field-driven policy.
NATE Leadership Reaction
“On behalf of NATE, we would like to congratulate Victor, Diek, Mike, Alicia, and Chris on their successful election bids. We would also like to thank all the candidates who stepped up to run in this year’s election,” said Chief Operating Officer Paula Nurnberg. “We had a strong slate of candidates for the Association’s eligible voting membership to choose from.”
Nurnberg emphasized that the Board’s composition and continuity are instrumental to NATE’s expanding role in shaping the communications infrastructure sector.
“As the industry continues to evolve in 2026 and beyond, NATE’s Board of Directors will play an essential role in implementing the Association’s strategic planning initiatives related to safety, workforce development, legislative and regulatory advocacy, customer diversification, and our event offerings,” she added.
