Star City Six – Trent Fellers
Windstream is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations, and wholesale customers locally and nationally. Trent Fellers is the vice president of government relations at Windstream.
Tell us a little about your business.
Windstream Communications provides high-speed broadband Internet, phone service, and Digital TV packages to residential customers as well as products and services for small, medium, and large businesses and government agencies. In addition, Kinetic Business by Windstream provides networking, communications, and technology solutions including Internet, unified communications, cloud, security, and business TV services to small- and medium-sized businesses.
How did you get started in the business?
I was hired in May of 2019 by Windstream to handle government affairs across five states. I graduated from Doane University in 2005 and have since served in a variety of corporate and government roles, gaining experience as a leader in business development, communications, strategy, budgeting, operations, and problem solving.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of opportunities in my career, finding myself in quite a few really interesting jobs. I’ve been challenged to go into positions where I don’t have a lot of experience or knowledge, and I have been able to learn and perform.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I joined the Marines in high school. Even after all the professional positions I’ve held, including serving as a councilman on Lincoln City Council, it is still the achievement I’m most proud of.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have two sons in elementary school, and I’m getting married to my fiancé Ansley in January.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d say running Jon Bruning’s U.S. Senate campaign. I learned so much about how campaigns work, and I built a ton of friendships and relationships. While we didn’t win, it gave me a lot of knowledge and experience.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Play a round of golf or go to the pool.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I was a heavy equipment mechanic in the Marine Corps.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Thoughtful.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Since it’s getting colder, it would be great to be able to change the weather.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
I’d love to be a starting pitcher in the MLB.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
I coach Jr. Salt Dogs baseball for my kids’ teams. It’s really cool to see kids learn how to play and get better thoughout the season.
What is your favorite TV show?
I really enjoy watching sports. No show specifically, but I’m really into baseball playoffs right now.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
George Washington.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 219-9385; Email: Trent.Fellers@windstream.com; Website: Windstream.com.