Family, friends and co-workers gathered Wednesday afternoon at Star Communications to honor and celebrate a man who has given nearly four decades to the local business.

Lyman Horne, executive vice president and general manager, will spend his last day in the office Friday, as he is retiring from the business he has proudly served since 1980.

Horne’s position will be assumed by Jeff Nethercutt, current assistant general manager.

In 1980, Horne began working under general manager Al Kohler, who hired him as the marketing manager. Eventually, Horned moved to commercial manager and then the revenue department. For a short time, he served as assistant general manager and assumed the GM duties in 2000.

Horne served on and led a number of boards over the years, including the Sampson Community College Foundation, North Carolina 811, Carolina Virginias Telephone Memhership Association and the North Carolina Telephone Cooperative Coalition for 10 years. He just recently gave up the gavel or stepped down from each of the boards.

Horne received the National Telephone Cooperative Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in February. He received a similar accolade from the state association a couple years back.

Star Communications general manager Lyman Horne talks with well-wishers during a reception honoring his retirement. Pictured left is Horne’s wife, Penny.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Horne1.jpgStar Communications general manager Lyman Horne talks with well-wishers during a reception honoring his retirement. Pictured left is Horne’s wife, Penny.

Star Communications assistant general manager Jeff Nethercutt, retired employee Carey Fortune and general manager Lyman Horne during the retirement celebration held in Horne’s honor Wednesday afternoon.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Horne2.jpgStar Communications assistant general manager Jeff Nethercutt, retired employee Carey Fortune and general manager Lyman Horne during the retirement celebration held in Horne’s honor Wednesday afternoon.

From Staff Reports