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Brittany Armstrong

SRT Director Earns NTCA Life Achievement Award

SRT Director Earns NTCA Life Achievement Award

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MINOT, N.D. – Ardel Rice, a Director on SRT’s Board since 2000, was selected as a 2021 recipient of the NTCA James L. Bass Director Life Achievement Award in the Excellence Awards program.

The Excellence Awards of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association – recognize NTCA members who have shown exceptional commitment to their communities and the rural broadband industry.

Rice notably served as SRT’s Board President from 2010-2012, an unprecedented time when a historic flood devastated the Minot area right as SRT’s rural fiber project began. As President, he also led the Board through SRT’s evolution from a telephone to a broadband company. When leading the Board’s 2012 strategic planning, Rice identified key priorities such as anticipating area growth and significant broadband and Fiber to the Home projects. “Many of these priorities are still relevant today, which speaks volumes about the sustainability of Ardel’s vision for our cooperative,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO/General Manager.

During his more-than-two decades on the Board, Rice has served on several subcommittees. Currently he is a member of the SRT Strategic Planning, Building, Board Retreat, Board Policy, and Compensation Committees.

“Whether running his farming business, raising a family with his wife, or supporting his community, Ardel has been a man of exceptional character and attitude,” said fellow Director and previous Board President Allan Engh. “As his son Jay once told me, ‘He’s a man to look up to.’ SRT is privileged to have Ardel on the Board and has benefited immensely from his wisdom and leadership.”

Rice and other winners were announced at the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO (RTIME) in February. “We are very fortunate to be surrounded by such talented and accomplished individuals in the telecommunications industry, and I am honored to be able to present them with the 2021 Excellence Awards,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield.

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“The winners exemplify the values of dedication, service and innovation in the work and in their communities. I want to congratulate and thank Ardel for his contributions to our industry.”

A retired farmer, Rice resides in Mohall with his wife, Deanna. They have three sons and eight grandchildren.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 people and serves more than 48,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT is committed to bringing the benefits of fiber to rural and urban communities alike and earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit www.ntca.org.

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SRT Staff and Board of Directors Attend NTCA RTIME Conference

SRT Staff and Board of Directors Attend NTCA RTIME Conference

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This week, SRT is well represented at the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting and EXPO (RTIME) in Dallas, TX. The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA’s) signature annual event, RTIME is the largest conference in the country geared toward rural internet providers like SRT. This conference is a great opportunity for telecommunications industry peers to connect and learn the latest in relevant industry topics like cybersecurity, emerging technology, broadband funding, and economic development.

SRT’s CEO/General Manager Cassidy Hjelmstad, Chief Growth Officer Robin Anderson, and Director of Sales Paul Gillund are in attendance, as well as several directors from SRT’s Board.

NTCA is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America.

February Tech Tip

February Tech Tip

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Bad actors are getting good at making emails seem realistic and tricking unsuspecting people into clicking malicious links or opening infected documents. Often, phishing emails will have a company logo, and at first glance, seem quite realistic. However, there are some simple things to do when opening an email that can save you time and stress in the long run.

1. Check the sender address: hover over the from address to see if the email is who it says it is. A quick Google search will often provide you with what the legitimate email address should be.

2. Look for grammatical errors: legitimate companies are less likely to have grammatical errors as opposed to someone posing as a legitimate company.

3. Check the salutation: If you receive an email with a generic salutation such as “hello sir/madam,” or “hi dear,” it is likely to be a scam. Legitimate companies will have your name on file and are unlikely to address you as dear.

4. Check for urgency: If an email is flagged or the subject line includes words like “urgent, time-sensitive, immediate action required” it is likely not a legitimate email.  

5. Question the need for credentials or personal information: Rarely will a legitimate company or agency request personal information through an automated email. If you are requested to provide personal credentials, it is best to call a verified company phone number and confirm the request.

6. Watch for documents or links: If there are documents or links to open documents within an automated email, it is unlikely to be legitimate. Think critically about whether an attached document seems reasonable given the type of email.

7. Think critically: Some bad actors are trying so hard to fool unsuspecting people that they don’t think to ensure you utilize the service or company they are pretending to be. For example, you receive an email from someone claiming to be from Netflix and you panic and open the link. However, you didn’t even stop to remember you don’t have a Netflix account. Something as simple as knowing you do not use the service or business can save you from opening a bad link. However, if you do have an account with the company and you receive an email from, it is always best practice to give them a call and verify. Companies will always be happy to clear up any misconceptions and set your mind at ease.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Watch Out For Charity Scams While you’re looking for your next job, scammers could be looking for their next victim. There are fraudulent offers out there involving illegal jobs or ones designed to facilitate identity theft or fake check schemes.

Be careful during your job search and watch for these warning signs:
  • You’re offered a job without an interview. Scammers might say they’re out of town, too busy, or have another excuse for not talking to you by phone or in person.

  • You get a check before you start a job. The person “hiring you” might say it’s your first paycheck and to use the money to buy supplies. But later they’ll tell you to send part of the money to someone else or return it to them. They’ll have excuses, but the main thing to know is that the check is fake. By the time the bank realizes it, the scammer has your money (if you sent it), and the bank will want you to repay the money you withdrew.

  • You’re contacted through non-company email domains and teleconference applications. For example, an actual IBM recruiter would contact you using a company email such as johndoe@ibm.com, as opposed to johndoeibm@gmail.com.

  • You’re required to purchase start-up equipment from the company, such as is the case of work-from-home job scams, or are asked to pay a non-refundable registration fee.

  • You’re required to provide your bank account information or Social Security number BEFORE you start working.
To avoid being scammed, check out potential employers thoroughly before giving them any sensitive information. Search online for their name, email address, phone number, and even the text of the message they sent. You might find that others have had bad experiences and been scammed by the same people in a similar way. It’s also a good idea to check on the business with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.

Robin Anderson Joins SRT as Chief Growth Officer

Robin Anderson Joins SRT as Chief Growth Officer

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MINOT, N.D. – Robin Anderson, a marketing and development professional with 22 years of telecommunications experience, has been named Chief Growth Officer of SRT Communications. She joined SRT on January 10, 2022.

As Chief Growth Officer, Anderson will lead the business strategy and develop new opportunities and partnerships for SRT. She will also leverage data tools to identify customer needs and ensure SRT continues to thrive in the cooperative environment.

“Robin joins SRT at an ideal time, especially as we continue to build the fiber optic platform serving our members,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “As we look for future growth opportunities, her sales experience will serve our customers well. She is highly respected in the telecommunications industry. A North Dakota native with years of coop leadership experience, Robin understands the cooperative business model and appreciates the communities we serve. SRT is delighted to welcome this talented professional to our team.”

Originally from Binford, ND, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Dickinson State University with a concentration in marketing and agriculture. Prior to joining SRT, she spent five years as Sales Manager at NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) and 13 years as Marketing Manager at Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative. Anderson also worked for four years as Director of Business Development and Senior Marketing Consultant for Pivot Group, a marketing agency specializing in the rural broadband industry.

“I am excited to be joining Cassidy and the talented team at SRT during a time of growth and transformation,” said Anderson. “SRT has a rich history built on trust and innovation. I look forward to being part of this next chapter as we continue to serve our members in delivering the best communication services available.”

Anderson and her husband, Glenn, have three children and have long enjoyed rodeo as a family. Their oldest son, Bridger, is a professional steer wrestler in Oklahoma; Cedar is a senior at Northwest Oklahoma State University; and Dawsyn is a senior at Carrington High School.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 people and serves more than 48,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT is committed to bringing the benefits of fiber to rural and urban communities alike and earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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