In September of 1961 a few Kansas independent telephone companies formed a truly independent telephone association, which changed the telephone industry forever.  Some of the original organizers of SITA were:  Joseph B. Chilen of Pioneer Telephone Association, David J. McKay of Golden Belt Telephone  Association, Pat Hurd of Wheat State Telephone, John Frerichs of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, C.K. Nelson of Rural Telephone Service Company, and James M. Caplinger, who was SITA's executive manager.  Jim Caplinger is now the executive vice president and Mark Caplinger is the executive manager.

Events leading to the development of SITA were the actions of Southwestern Bell int rying to make agents out of the independent companies.  The existing Association was heavily financed and dominated by Southwestern Bell.

SITA's purpose was to establish a partnership relationship between all of the telephone companies, regardless of their size, and to restore the dignity of the independents by proving that the independents have personnel who are as experienced and capable as anyone within the industry in providing quality telephone serviec to the Kansas public.

SITA's membership expanded rapidly and their unity has brought success.  They have received national acclaim and recognition for bringing together the efforts of independents as a cohesive force for the common interests of rural Kansas.