Kristann Silkwood Mattes

Kristann “Kristi” Mattes is the great-granddaughter of Ponderosa Telephone founders Harmon and Leota Bigelow, and daughter of Elizabeth Luanne Silkwood. Kristann assumed the role as President in 2014, succeeding the leadership of her mother. As President of Ponderosa, she works with the Executive Management team and the Board of Directors to guide her family company through the complex issues of the telecommunications business.

Kristann knew from an early age that her ultimate goal was to learn how to be a strong leader so she could return to run the family business. She attended Fresno State University, where she completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics and embarked upon a distinguished career in education, while learning the fundamentals of running a telecommunications company from Luanne.

To say that Kristann loves the O’Neals community is an understatement. She grew up on the family ranch and has become embedded in the local community. Kristann used her local influence to create an educational environment for students and teachers in the field of agriculture, while pursuing opportunities to expand the FFA program at Minarets High School. She earned the American Farmer Degree in 1973 and the Honorary American FFA Degree in 1996. Today, Kristann is a respected leader in her field as Chair of the Minarets High Agricultural Dept., distinguished as the fastest growing FFA chapter in California, along with Chairman of the California FFA Adult Board of Directors, and Past Chairman of the California FFA Foundation. Of her numerous accolades, she is most proud of the “Star State Advisor” award she received in in 1990.