Mike Whelan

CEO / Co-Founder

Mike began his career in the semiconductor industry programming “chips” with Boolean Algebra. This work led to a deep understanding of integrated circuits and a 15-year career as a sales engineer and sales manager covering the greater Los Angeles area.

After a very successful Silicon Valley career, Mike and his family decided to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and move to a quieter part of the country. They settled just outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the surrounding area, Native American tribes were building casinos at an explosive rate and International Game Technology (IGT), the world’s largest slot machine manufacturer and gaming systems provider, offered Mike a position as a Systems Engineer and they spent the next 10 years together.

In Oklahoma and across the country, technology was booming and people were in need of internet services. However, Oklahoma had very little infrastructure. Most rural Oklahomans, including Mike, did not have access to the internet. In 2010, Mike created a solution for himself and his community by founding AirLink Internet Services. He currently serves as its CEO.

In 2014, Mike founded FiberLink to provide 1Gb fiber-to-the-home internet service in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He currently serves as its CEO.

Mike and his wife Crystal have been married 30 years and they have two sons, one is a Network Administrator at Salt Lake City International Airport and the other is attending college at Texas A&M

David R. Widdoes

General Counsel

David is a native of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1982. In 1986, David received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (with distinction) from the University of Central Oklahoma, where he was part of UCO’s nationally competitive NDT debate program. In 1989, David received his Juris Doctor (with distinction) from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he attended as Hatton W. Sumners Scholar and was inducted into The Order of Barristers after earning American Jurisprudence Awards for excellence in Contracts, Civil Procedure, Oil & Gas and Criminal Law.

After a successful seven year association with an Oklahoma City firm, David returned home to Sapulpa in 1996 to establish his private practice: The Law Offices of David R. Widdoes, PLLC. Since 1999, David has been honored to represent the City of Sapulpa as its City Attorney. During his career, David has represented a variety of prominent enterprises with a special focus on complex civil litigation, governmental regulatory compliance, labor, employment, real estate, communications law and business. Reported decisions include: Shamrock Drilling Fluids Inc. v. Miller, 32 F.3d 455 (10th Cir. 1994); ARW Exploration Corp. v. Aguirre, 45 F.3d 1455 (10th Cir. 1995); and Schooley v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 107 F.3d 21, 1997 WL 45271 (10th Cir. 1997). Since 2005, in addition to working as a practicing attorney, David enjoys sharing his experience as an adjunct professor of Criminal Evidence for the Criminal Justice Degree program at Tulsa Community College.

“When I started practicing law, the world-wide web was just beginning --- now, the internet is an essential component of everyday life. In 2010, I joined the extraordinary team at AirLink because I believe in its mission --- making the internet available to improve the quality of lives in our community.” Whether in the courtroom, the boardroom or the classroom, David remains dedicated to providing the highest quality representation and producing creative, valuable results for his clients. David and his wife, Gloria, have been married 20 years and have two daughters they enjoy raising in Sapulpa.

Malessa Dunegan

Vice President of Operations

Malessa Dunegan was born in Tulsa, OK. She was raised in Collinsville, OK where she graduated high school in 1992. In 1998 Malessa moved to Beggs, OK where she has lived for the past 20 years.

In 2005, Malessa began a career in education where she held various positions working with students in academic subject areas as well as helping students learn life skills such as teamwork, following rules, and responsibility. Malessa is a caring individual who has a passion for helping people and has excellent communication skills.

Malessa joined the AirLink team in 2015. She began in customer service answering phone calls, scheduling field work and coordinating company activities. Her knowledge of computers and love for learning quickly made her an important team member and she was promoted to Operations Manager in 2016. She continues to be a great asset to AirLink and has been promoted to Vice President of Operations.

As Vice President of Operations, Malessa oversees all company activities including Customer Service, Field Technicians and Network Operations.

Malessa and her husband, Brian, have been married for over 20 years. Together they have 6 children and 3 grandchildren.

Todd Mitchell

Systems Engineer

Todd was born and raised in Clinton, OK. As a 12-year-old, Todd started his first job delivering newspapers for the Clinton Daily News and worked there for 12 years in various positions including the head pressman. In 1986 Todd received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology specializing in Electronics from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Following college graduation, Todd served for two years with the Clinton Fire Department and in 1988 moved to Tulsa, OK and began his computer career at Memorex Telex serving as a Quality Assurance Inspector. After two years Todd joined MicroAge Computer as a service technician where he was contracted with many companies over a six-year period including Citgo, St. Francis, St. John, and Williams Energy Services.

After a long career with MicroAge Computer, Williams Energy Services offered Todd a position in their IT Department where he served for more than seven years learning various types of operating systems and control systems as well as project management skills. On time and under budget, Todd led the project to convert almost 4,000 computers to a new company-wide operating system with no loss of time and no loss of data. With the downturn in the business in 2003, Todd found himself a victim of the Williams’ reduction in force.

Todd then joined World Wide Tech Services primarily working for Dell Computer providing technical services to homes and businesses in North East Oklahoma. Todd joined the AirLink team in February of 2012 doing customer installations and site surveys. In 2018, Todd was promoted to Systems Engineer and is responsible for building and maintaining the AirLink network which covers over 900 square miles.

Todd and his wife Sheila have been married 30 years. They have one daughter, a son-in-law, one granddaughter, and one adopted son. From 2001 – 2013, Todd and Sheila have hosted 75 foster children in their home. In 2010 Todd and Sheila were honored as Osage County Foster Parents of the Year. Since 1995 Todd has served as the volunteer IT network coordinator for The Spring (formerly DaySpring Villa).

Charlene Lawley

Operations Manager

Charlene Lawley was born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She moved to Sand Springs to finish her junior and senior year of high school and graduated high school in 1992. Charlene moved back to Tulsa and returned to Sand Springs where her family has lived for the past 19 years.

Charlene’s career began as an administrative secretary for several years where she learned skills in communication, scheduling, and reporting. Charlene decided to stay at home to raise her children and once her children began school, she spent time at their schools reading, grading papers, and attending field trips. Charlene enjoyed being a part of her children’s lives and helping them thrive at school.

Charlene joined the AirLink team in 2017. She began her career in customer service answering phones and scheduling field work. She was promoted twice to Customer Service Supervisor and then Assistant Operations Manager. Because of her abilities, work ethic and desire to excel, she was promoted to Operations Manager in January of 2021.

Charlene and her husband, Homer, have been married for more than 25 years and they have 2 sons.