Free Mobile Line for a Year!

New Twin Valley Mobile customers get their first unlimited mobile line free for one year when bundled with Twin Valley Internet. Terms and conditions apply. Early cancellation may result in a promotional chargeback fee.

Employee Spotlight

Mildred Foster: A Founding Force Behind Twin Valley’s Legacy

March 1, 2025

For Women’s History Month, Twin Valley proudly celebrates the contributions of women who have shaped not only our company but also the telecommunications industry as a whole. At the heart of our story is co-founder and family matriarch, Mildred Foster. As an equal partner in establishing what has grown to become Kansas’ largest family-owned broadband and communications provider, Mildred’s determination, leadership and commitment laid the foundation for our company’s success and enduring commitment to serving rural Kansas communities. Her story is a testament to the power of women’s contributions in building businesses, strengthening communities and advancing industries.

Early Work History

Joe Foster, Mildred’s husband, began his career in telecommunications at the age of 15, gaining experience in various aspects of the industry over the years. During World War II, Mildred worked processing gun powder at the Sunflower Ordnance Plant. Earning her own paycheck brought her a sense of independence and satisfaction. “I just wanted to work,” Mildred reflected in a video testimonial from 1995, “I got my own paycheck and I wanted to keep working.” However, her vision for their family extended beyond making a living—she wanted to help build a better life for her family while supporting her community.

The Start of Twin Valley Telephone

Mildred’s determination played a pivotal role in shaping her family’s future. She encouraged Joe to follow up on local newspaper advertisement in 1947 leading to them pursuing ownership of the Miltonvale Telephone Company. While Joe brought years of experience and operational expertise in the telephone industry, it was Mildred’s determined push to aim for more that set their legacy into motion.

Together, she and Joe secured financing to acquire the company, transforming it from a small, farmer-owned system with outdated party lines into the modern telecommunications provider that Twin Valley Telephone became. Their innovations included introducing private telephone lines to rural Kansas ahead of larger companies, demonstrating their commitment to quality and future-ready leadership.

Expansion and Forward Thinking

They continued to grow and acquire more exchanges while modernizing and enhancing technology. Every aspect of the business required hard work and long hours. Mildred managed the office, handling billing, recordkeeping, service orders and customer payments—all processed and documented by hand. In 1949, their son Jack Foster and his wife Ludie (Lulu) Foster moved to Miltonvale to join them in running the company. Over time, the business grew, welcoming both family and external employees who shared the values and work ethic that Mildred and Joe exemplified from the beginning.

Mildred retired from Twin Valley Telephone in 1969 after 22 years. Her influence remained deeply embedded in the company’s values as she passed it off to the generations to come. A lifetime member of the Independent Telephone Pioneers Association, she was inducted as a charter member of the Kansas Telecommunications Hall of Fame in 1995, recognizing her significant contributions to the industry.

Continuing the Family Legacy

The values of hard work, community service and family unity that Mildred instilled remain at the heart of Twin Valley today. Now a fourth-generation family-owned broadband and communications provider, Twin Valley continues to honor her legacy by providing cutting-edge technology while pledging to support the rural Kansas communities we serve and call home. Mildred Foster’s vision and leadership have left an enduring impact on her family, her community and the industry at large. Today, women are a vital part of Twin Valley’s success, with 59% female ownership, 41% of leadership positions held by women, and 48% of our employees being women. These achievements are especially notable in the male-dominated telecommunications industry.