The Voice with a Smile: Jeannette Breslin’s Lasting Impact on ATC Communications

We are a family-owned and operated communications company nestled in the heart of Albion, Idaho. Founded in 1929, we started with only 18 magneto crank telephones, a handful of weathered pine poles, and a few hundred feet of iron wire. Despite these humble beginnings, our commitment to serving the Albion community has remained unwavering for nearly a century. At the heart of the company's founding was an extraordinary woman—Jeannette Breslin. Together with her husband Mike, Jeannette purchased ATC, and under her leadership, the company quickly became a cornerstone of the Albion community. Known affectionately as the "voice with a smile," Jeannette spent decades at the switchboard, personally connecting calls and serving her neighbors.

For nearly 35 years, Jeannette worked around the clock, often sleeping in a rollaway bed beside the switchboard, always on call to serve her community. Her shifts weren’t just about transferring calls—she regularly received questions from locals like, "Who won the second game of the 1950 World Series?" or "Can you help me find a babysitter?" In addition to being the telephone operator, manager, and co-owner, Jeannette also served as the town nurse, administering shots, treating minor injuries, and caring for the sick. She was a constant presence, always offering support to anyone who needed it.

Jeannette’s inspiring work ethic and unwavering commitment to service laid the foundation for the values that still define ATC today. As the company continues to expand and serve the Albion community and beyond, her legacy will serve as a reminder that true connection transcends technology—it is rooted in care, compassion, and commitment to enhancing the lives of others.

In closing, here is a poem Jeannette wrote to her subscribers after retiring the switchboard:

A telephone exchange we have no more,
The room is empty, and they’ve closed the door,
The board which served twenty-four hours each day
For thirty years, now is put away.
Now no more “Number Please” they’ll hear us say
But use the dial now, that’s the new way.
I’ve heard some say they’ll miss the human touch,
They’ve been so used to it, and it meant so much,
We too will miss the voice we no more hear,
Some voice we have hear for many a year,
For some folks it seems rather hard to try
The new way, but they’ll like it by and by.
Now we the operators one and all
Would like to thank all those who made a call
Or wrote a friendly note in which they’d state
That what we’ve done they did appreciate.