Smithville Digital founder a "Visionary Leader"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana Recognized for her achievements in technology and innovation, Darby McCarty received the “Visionary Leader” award during the 2006 “Leading Light” presentations by the Indiana Women & Hi Tech organization. The Awards process, according to Jennifer Lewellen of Women & High Tech, “recognizes women of achievement in science and technology who have set an example to others by demonstrating expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage and tenacity in pursuing their chosen career.”
McCarty, president of Smithville Telephone, received the award based on her outstanding leadership in the founding of Smithville Digital and the Indiana Digital Gateway. In forward-looking actions, McCarty and Smithville Telephone—Indiana’s largest private provider of telecommunications services—set a strategic focus earlier in the decade on upgrading physical resources with fiber-optics and other technology advances. This focus enabled Smithville to expand their traditional telecom services into the digital realm.
Under McCarty’s leadership, Smithville created the Indiana Digital Gateway in late 2003, setting the stage for innovative broadband deployment.
The Indiana Digital Gateway led directly to the creation of an advanced optical network for the medical community in Bloomington, Indiana. Using Smithville’s Gateway, the 355-bed Bloomington Hospital was able to directly link its Radiation and Oncology Center and other medical operations to the hospital’s satellite facilities, including the hospital’s ancillary facility in Orange County roughly 50 miles away.
The technology optical advances laid the foundation for direct medical imaging, which will broaden the positive impact of Bloomington physicians and specialists over much of southern Indiana.
In making the award, The Women & Hi Tech organization noted that McCarty built and oversaw a superb development team at Smithville that enabled the innovative advancements. McCarty’s focus on telecom best practices stems in part from a personal philosophy: “The value of work is what matters, not who does the work.”
In addition to her technology achievements, McCarty possesses a strong commitment to educational opportunities for the community, and oversees a continuing effort by Smithville-related companies to support community development. These contributions include direct support of WonderLab and science education, and an outreach program by the Bloomington area Arts Council to bring art to children in small, rural elementary schools located in Smithville’s service region.
McCarty serves currently on the boards of the Indiana Telecommunications Association. the Society of the Friends of Music, and the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
About Smithville Digital
Smithville Digital was formed in 2003 to offer the highest technological services for businesses and networking throughout the state of Indiana. Smithville Digital provides a fiber-optic means of digital data transmission to its customers. Fiber-optic technology allows for “last mile” connectivity as well as network management solutions to help customers meet their data transmission needs. For more information about Smithville Digital visit www.smithvilledigital.net.
Smithville Digital was formed as a spin-off of Smithville Telephone Company. Founded in 1922, Smithville Telephone has grown to be Indiana’s largest independent telecom company. Smithville Telephone Company has expanded its services to include Smithville Digital as well as DSL services. The headquarters are located in Ellettsville, Ind. For more information please visit www.smithville.net.