Doug Ecklund, President & CEO-32 Years of Experience

As the president and CEO of Cellular Advantage, Doug began his journey in 1993 with a bold vision to build something from the ground up. What started as a small operation has evolved into a high-performing, people-first organization rooted in purpose, resilience, and clear strategy for long-term success.

For over three decades, Doug has led the company through growth, transformation, and reinvention with an unwavering commitment to its people. He believes that sustainable success goes beyond metrics–it’s about empowering individuals. From the leadership team to the frontline associates and valued partners, Dough has made it his mission to support, elevate, and equip those around him to thrive.

As CEO, his role is to clear the path for others to lead–evaluating opportunities, offering strategic insight, and serving as a trusted sounding board. He leads with intention, embraces challenges, and surrounds himself with people who are committed to continuous improvement and excellence.

Todd Lawton, Vice President & COO-32 Years of Experience

Todd serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Cellular Advantage and brings over three decades of hands-on experience to the role. His journey with the company began in 1993 shortly after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa when he started selling phones at a mall kiosk opened by Mitzi and Doug.

Over the past 32 years, Todd has held nearly every position at Cellular Advantage from selling pagers to working in human resources, IT, inventory management, and many more roles in between. This extensive experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of company operations and enabled him to support the business across a wide range of functions.

Today, his primary responsibility is managing Cellular Advantage’s retail store locations whether they operate on leased or company-owned property.

Matt Hayertz, Treasurer & CFO–21 Years of Experience

Matt is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 30 years of experience. For the past 21 years, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Cellular Advantage. Prior to joining the company, he provided audit and consulting services for Deloitte, one of the “Big 4” international accounting firms.

At Cellular Advantage, he oversees all back-office functions including accounting, finance, treasury management, human resources, risk management, taxes, and acquisitions.

Over the years, his team has supported up to 40 stores across four states. Matt leads with a transparent, simple, and accountable approach. He takes great pride in providing strategic direction for the company and top-notch support to every store and employee.

Nick Villoti, Vice President of Sales–24 Years of Experience

With over 25 years of experience at Cellular Advantage, Nick began his career as a B2B sales representative and has grown into a senior leadership role through a consistent track record of results, operational excellence, and team development across multiple states.

Recognized as a strategic thinker and culture builder, Nick is known for casting vision and creating high-performing, people-centered environments rooted in servant leadership. His passion for personal and professional growth led to the development of the company’s signature “9 A.M. Meeting” program, which connects individual goals with team performance objectives.

As Vice President of Sales, Nick has led Cellular Advantage’s top-performing sales and store operations teams–driving significant revenue growth and market expansion. Under his leadership, Cellular Advantage achieved distinction as U.S. Cellular’s #1 per-door revenue producer.

Chuck Richmond, Director of Sales–24 Years of Experience

David is a seasoned leader in the wireless industry with over 12 years of experience driving performance, growth, and team development. As Director of Sales and Operations, he currently oversees 13 high-performing retail locations across Central and Southern Iowa, having previously led up to 19 locations across multiple states.

David is widely respected for his relentless focus on sales excellence and operational execution. His teams are consistently among the top performers in key metrics, a testament to his ability to inspire accountability, energy, and results at every level.

One of David’s proudest accomplishments is the creation of the “Frazier Leadership Tree”—a growing network of successful, well-rounded leaders who have risen through the ranks under his mentorship. His legacy is built not only on strong numbers but on a deep investment in people, coaching, and long-term career development. Through his passionate leadership, David continues to elevate both individual careers and overall organizational performance.

David Frazier, Director of Sales–6 Years of Experience

Chuck has been a dedicated member of the Cellular Advantage leadership team for over 24 years and brings a wealth of experience and steadfast commitment to excellence across Central Iowa. For more than a decade, he has served as Director of Sales and Operations, where he plays a pivotal role in leading store performance, developing high-impact teams, and driving operational success throughout the region.

Chuck’s journey with Cellular Advantage began on the frontline where he managed multiple locations in Des Moines and the surrounding communities. In his current role, Chuck oversees nine locations, having previously led 16. He partners closely with store managers, fellow directors, and frontline wireless consultants to ensure every location is equipped to exceed performance goals and deliver exceptional customer experiences. 

Known for his hands-on leadership style, Chuck is a strategic coach and collaborator who champions the growth of his people and long term-success of the business.

Kayla Long, Director of Sales–15 Years of Experience

Kayla brings 15 years of experience to Cellular Advantage where she serves as Director of Sales and Operations for the Nebraska and Southwest Iowa markets. She currently leads a consistently high-performing team across nine retail locations and has overseen as many as 14 at once. Her leadership drives strong sales performance, team development, and strategic carrier partnerships.

While advancing her career at Cellular Advantage, Kayla earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, giving her a unique, people-centered leadership style that fuels both company growth and customer connections. She’s known company-wide as a culture builder and development champion, having shaped key initiatives including the company’s leadership program, training systems, and mentorship pathways. Her passion lies in helping others reach their potential while delivering lasting business results through authentic leadership and strategic coaching.

Mitch Roe, Director of Sales–21 Years of Experience

Mitch began his journey with Cellular Advantage in the Des Moines area, where he quickly established himself as a standout leader. When the opportunity arose in 2017 to launch a new market in North Iowa, he eagerly stepped up. Today, he proudly serves as the Director of Sales for North Iowa, leading four thriving locations with a clear focus on growth, team development, and customer experience.

With over 20 years of experience in sales and leadership, Mitch is known for his integrity, accountability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. He has built a reputation for developing high-performing teams that consistently exceed expectations fueled by his hands-on coaching and commitment to continuous improvement.

Mitch’s leadership philosophy centers on delivering real value, cultivating strong relationships, and creating a legacy of performance through people.

Scott Ronnei, Inventory Manager–30 Years of Experience

Scott brings over 30 years of experience to Cellular Advantage, having begun his career in sales in 1995 and transitioning to inventory management in 1997. Before coming to Cellular Advantage, he honed his expertise at U.S. Cellular Corporate, where he served as an inventory and switch manager for two years.

As Inventory Manager for Cellular Advantage, Scott oversees all aspects of product flow across the company’s locations. He analyzes device needs daily and places replenishment orders, reviews accessory requests to align stock with each store’s performance, and coordinates monthly physical counts to ensure accuracy. He also manages timely inventory valuation through strategic write-downs and write-offs while processing all incoming invoices to confirm prompt and precise accounting.

Scott feels fortunate to work in an industry defined by rapid growth and continual innovation. He is especially passionate about our fourth core value—Have Fun!—a principle he brings to every interaction to foster a positive atmosphere both on the sales floor and beyond.

Stephanie Thorson, Analyst–20 Years of Experience

Stephanie has over 20 years of experience at Cellular Advantage, having served both on the frontlines and behind the scenes. She spent her first eight years in sales and finished that chapter as a store manager before transitioning into her current role as an analyst, where she’s known as the company’s “Swiss Army knife.”

Her role spans office management, human resources, and data reconciliation. From ordering apparel and tracking demo devices to processing payroll and verifying commissions, Stephanie ensures that critical business functions run smoothly and accurately. She works closely with leaders across the company to bridge departments and offer support wherever it’s needed.

With a strong command of Excel and a deep appreciation for both people and processes, Stephanie takes great pride in driving success behind the scenes and keeping the team supported every step of the way.

Shanna Spencer, Accountant–12 Years of Experience

Shanna has spent the past 12 years supporting the financial health of Cellular Advantage with precision and dedication. As a key member of the accounting team, she focuses primarily on accounts payable and bank reconciliations, ensuring that vendor payments, customer refunds, and employee expense reimbursements are processed accurately and on time. 

Working closely with store leadership teams, Shanna helps maintain the integrity of daily financial operations by verifying cash and credit card transactions and ensuring timely deposits. A QuickBooks expert, she spends most of her day entering invoices, reconciling bank accounts, and recording journal entries to keep the company’s financial records up to date.

Shanna’s reliability, attention to detail, and behind-the-scenes contributions play a vital role in maintaining smooth financial operations and support the overall success of the business.