Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
During the creation of RT Communications now Range, Becky Dooley was hired in 1994 as the human resource coordinator and now at the end of 2023, Dooley will be retiring after 29 years with Range/RT Communications.
Dooley, who said she is from Worland and has familial ties to the area dating back to 1898, said, "I was the only local manager that was hired [...] I felt very fortunate in that regard." Dooley found herself moving up the ladder as time went on and became the vice president and general manager of RT Communications in 2005.
"I literally said this in my interview. I told them, 'This is my dream job,'" said Dooley while talking about her start at RT Communications all those years ago. Dooley said she had previously been working for the State of Wyoming, where she was an adjudicator for people who filed for unemployment insurance and was introduced to labor issues. When this position for working with personnel came up, Dooley was naturally drawn to the position given her background.
Looking back on her time spent with RT Communications, Dooley said these beginning days stand out to her as a favorite memory. "It was quite a feat to start a telephone company, and I had no expertise in telephones. But with the people that we put together, I loved the comradery that we had. We also played a lot of jokes on each other, so we made work fun. Those are really my fondest memories," she said.
Dooley remained in her position until 2002, when she started moving up. Dooley said she was then promoted to assistant general manager, was briefly vice president and general manager of PYXIS Communications until it was bought out, and landed in her current position in 2005, which is vice president and general manager of RT Communications.
Dooley's work consisted of, "navigating between the people issues at work, to the technical things that we're looking at, to 'what are legislative items of concern for us as a company,' to 'what are regulatory issues that are coming up that we need to keep an eye on,'" she said. Reading, working on contracts and sifting through legislation were regular parts of the job for Dooley. She said she additionally previously served as the president of the Wyoming Telecommunications Association and recently served on a national group health trustee committee, which she greatly enjoyed.
Customer service was another priority of Dooley's work that she made note of. "Both RT and Range, we're very proud of the customer service that we offer. I think it's beyond compare to a lot of companies that are out there," said Dooley.
Ensuring that employees are taken care of and that their skills can develop within the company were important aspects of the job to Dooley as well. She said, "I really considered myself an employee advocate. I never could leave that part of my job when I became vice president and general manager. I loved seeing people excel and grow."
After nearly 30 years at RT Communications, Dooley said she's looking forward to retirement at the end of the year.
"Life is all about transitions. I am fortunate enough to have six grandchildren in town and you know, you just get to the point where you want to spend time with them. You've given all you can to your employer, and now it's time to give it back to your family," said Dooley, "Absolutely no regrets. I'm ready for the next part of my life."
For her retirement, Dooley said she has some trips planned out, hopes to get out to her mountain cabin and will spend plenty of time with her family in Worland.