This April, SRT joins the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) in celebrating Month of the Military Child. Nearly 2 million children in military families face unique challenges, including frequent moves and family separations. These remarkable young people demonstrate incredible strength and courage while adapting to new schools, making new friends, and supporting their families’ service to our nation.

We encourage our community to wear purple on Purple Up! Day on April 15, 2025, to show support for military children. Military kids are essential members of our community who deserve recognition for their strength and sacrifices.

To learn more about supporting military-connected children, visit militarychild.org.

She’s been an SRT customer since her parents had phone service. She was an “SRT for Life” contest winner for submitting her video story about what SRT means to her family and every-day life. She was only the third woman to join SRT’s Board of Directors when she was elected in 2015. She went on to become SRT’s first female Board President in 2021. Alongside CEO/General Manager Cassidy Hjelmstad, these two women form the cooperative’s first female leadership duo.

She is Kristi Miller.

As Board President, Kristi ushered in a chapter of next generation achievements while fostering SRT’s positive, community-centered culture. This is owed not only to her leadership style, but to who she is as a person.

She is level-headed. Kristi has guided discussions and decision-making during some of SRT’s most notable strategic initiatives of the past three years, including the completion of SRT’s fiber network and the sale of 56 wireless towers.

She is respected. Kristi is known as a local farmer and financial professional, an SRT and industry spokesperson, and a neighbor, family member, and friend. Her positive ties and relationships help SRT forge ahead in our communities to provide fiber internet service and economic development support.

She is informed. Kristi pursues continuing education in the telecommunications industry to ensure sound business strategy. As a lifelong resident immersed in our service area, she also knows how boardroom decisions affect the people we serve.

She is committed. Kristi is integral to north-central North Dakota, deeply rooted in each community’s character and future. You can find her tossing candy at various homecoming parades, scooping ice cream on main street, serving pancakes at the State Fair Co-op Day, and sharing kudos and encouragement on SRT’s social media.

She is supportive. Kristi speaks to SRT employees every year at the end of the Annual Meeting and sends holiday greetings to the company, all with the message of gratitude and inspiration for what’s ahead.

Kristi’s leadership is strong and kind, decisive and compassionate. She gets work done and inspires camaraderie. Her professional skills and personal traits have helped advance SRT’s vision during a pivotal time in the cooperative’s history, as we evolve to be north-central North Dakota’s broadband company of the future.

Raised on a family farm in Kramer, Kristi works at Peoples State Bank in Westhope. She and her husband, Warren (who was also her high school sweetheart), make their home and work their farm in the Maxbass/Newburg area.