Public Service Recognition Week is a time to honor the individuals who work behind the scenes to keep our State’s critical infrastructure running. At the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), public service isn't just a job description, it’s a commitment to every student, patient, and citizen who relies on our high-speed fiber optic network.

This year, as we celebrate the dedication of our team, we are proud to share the results of our recent organizational assessment, which highlights a culture of excellence both inside our walls and throughout the communities we serve.

Customer Satisfaction

Our customers are the heartbeat of our mission. Recent survey results confirm that the ICN team is viewed as a partner in Iowa’s infrastructure landscape. With a focus on follow-through and fiscal responsibility, we strive to solve problems with the best interests of Iowans in mind.

  • Overall Support: Customers awarded ICN a 4.72/5 for total support.
  • Expert Professionalism: 100% of respondents reported high satisfaction with staff professionalism.
  • Rapid Response: ICN earned a 4.66/5 for responsiveness to customer needs.

"ICN has always been fair, quick to respond to requests, and performs very well... they have been a partner in our endeavors." — State Government Partner

Employee Engagement

A great customer experience starts with a supported and engaged workforce. When compared to broader State of Iowa benchmarks, ICN significantly outperforms in key areas of institutional health:

  • Culture of Fairness: ICN leads the state average by +24.8 percentage points in perceived equity.
  • Leadership Transparency: Management scored +21.7 points higher in keeping staff informed.
  • Institutional Trust: ICN employees report a 58.5% trust level, nearly 18 points higher than their peers across the state.

Peer Recognition

For the past year, the ICN Employee Recognition Committee (ERC) has provided a platform for staff to nominate peers who go above and beyond. In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, we are proud to highlight our recent awardees:

MonthEmployeeContribution Highlight
April 2026EmmaGreat work ethic and team-first attitude. She has a sharp eye for detail and a natural problem solver who is always ready to help. 
February 2026DebraLiving by the motto: “When there’s work to be done, you get it done.” Nominated for her exceptional communication and "team-first" attitude.
December 2025ManilaLed the seamless agency-wide transition from Windows 10 to 11.
October 2025DaveExpertly managed Outside Plant projects and vendors to keep Iowa connected.
August 2025MikeAs a great teammate, he ensures that tasks are done right and to the best of his ability, and his coworkers appreciate his honest opinion.
June 2025DanA servant leader guiding the Inside Plant / TAC team to excellence. Consistently helping TAC focus on excellent customer service.
April 2025KammyA fountain of Finance knowledge and a source of inspiration for the whole agency.

A Final Thank You

To our engineers, technicians, administrative staff, and project managers: Thank you. The fiber optics in the ground and the security services we provide are only as strong as the people behind them. During Public Service Recognition Week, we celebrate the character, integrity, and dedication of the ICN team.

Happy Public Service Recognition Week!