Jenny Rickel

Jenny Rickel is the Co-Founder and COO of Native Network. Ms. Rickel brings a wealth of experience in operations, finance, and more to Native Network and its partners. In the 1990s, she was responsible for the growth (and ultimate sale) of a regional Cellular One franchise, working alongside Andrew Metcalfe. In that time, she developed the back office operations including human resources, finance, and customer service.

In 1999, she joined Metcalfe at Northwest Telephone, Inc. (NTI), a long-haul carrier focused on bringing advance telecommunications to rural and underserved communities in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. She was responsible for building the regional carrier’s operations, financial and sales organizations before successfully selling the company to national carrier Zayo in 2008. She completed the post-acquisition integration and developed the Western U.S. sales team for Zayo Group before departing.

She then founded Edge Strategies, a consulting agency to help telecommunications companies create or improve their operations, finance, processes, policies/procedures, staffing, sales and marketing. In 2013, Rickel joined forces with Metcalfe once again at CATTCOMM to establish projects in Indian Country and then co-found and launch Native Network.

A serial entrepreneur, she sits on the Board of Advisors of Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance (GWATA), which fosters and supports technology initiatives in eastern Washington. Her experience of leading sports teams as captain and most inspirational in her high school and collegiately coupled with her Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing from Central Washington University has prepared her for a career in leadership and developing companies.