A 1971 NIU graduate has made his way back to DeKalb to accept a promotion as president of Contel of Illinois.

NIU alumnus William A. Zielke was appointed Contel of Illinois president, a position held since 1980 by the retiring Charles M. Rexroat.

exroat, an active civic leader who has served as a member of the NIU foundation, NIU sports booster, and on the Sycamore Community Hospital Board of Directors, is retiring after 29 years of telecommunications service.

Effective Dec. 3, Zielke will take over his post with 20 years of industry experience that began with Contel in 1972.

In 1979, Zielke was named Director of Human Resources for the South Central Division.

He then moved to assistant vice-president of Human Resources for the Eastern Region of the Telephone Operations Sector in Dulles, Virginia two years later.

Zielke was promoted to Indiana division president in 1987, and will remain in charge of this post while assuming the responsibilities of both Contel divisions.

“I think Mr. Zielke brings many years of experience with him, and we’re all looking forward to his arrival as president,” said Gary Dastol, director of Contel public relations.

Dastol expressed eagerness toward Zielke’s leadership potential as the company moves into the ‘90s.