MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications will hold its annual meeting and director election on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the North Dakota State Fair Center in Minot.

Registration and voting begin at 5:00 p.m. and officially close at 7:00 p.m. A catered dinner will be served 5:00-7:00 p.m. and live entertainment featuring Chloe Raye will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The business meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and will include a report to the members, financial updates, and election results.

The following candidates are up for election:

District 1:   Allan Engh from Sherwood, Incumbent

District 2:   Tom Jespersen from Velva, Incumbent

District 3:   Stuart Rothe from Newburg, Incumbent

District 4:   Deven Mantz from Minot
                       Benjamin Roberston from Minot, Incumbent

Election results will also be posted on srt.com/annualmeeting.

Members are encouraged to bring the back page of the newsletter they received in the mail to be entered to win prizes.

###

The SRT Board of Directors approved the distribution of $2,942,290 in capital credits back to members for 2025.

Credits will include a portion of the 2001 and/or 2024 allocations. Checks mail in early June.

“Belonging to a cooperative is much more than purchasing a service. Our members receive rewards for doing business with us each year,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. “We always look forward to sharing the cooperative’s success and stability with our valued membership.”

Here is how SRT determines and distributes capital credits:

1. SRT tracks the money members spend on communication services throughout the year.
2. At the end of the fiscal year, SRT determines whether there are excess revenues, called margins.
3. The margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on the amount spent by the member during the year.
4. The Board of Directors decides to retire, or pay, the capital credits when the cooperative’s financial condition allows.
5. Members are notified how and when they will receive their capital credit distribution.

Members should inform SRT of changes to their current mailing address to ensure they receive any future capital credit retirements.

For more information on capital credits, visit srt.com/capitalcredits or call 701-858-1200.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

                                                                                            ###

MINOT, N.D. –Perry Erdmann, Chief Financial Officer, will retire from SRT Communications on June 1 after serving the cooperative for 23 years.

Erdmann joined SRT as Controller in 2002 before advancing to CFO in 2004, the position he held until retirement. As CFO, he led SRT’s financial strategy through several defining moments in the cooperative’s history. These include the transition from telephone to broadband and the sale of SRT’s cellular tower portfolio. In addition, Erdmann oversaw all financial aspects of SRT’s fiber build, such as securing loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local entities.

“From the beginning, Perry has navigated SRT through significant change and growth, always with an eye toward sustainability and impeccable accounting practices,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “His leadership over SRT’s financial health has positioned us for success throughout the cooperative’s evolution. For more than two decades, Perry’s commitment to our members has supported SRT’s vision. We are grateful for his service and wish him the best.”

Erdmann was succeeded by Jessamy Fornshell as SRT’s Chief Financial Officer. She joined the cooperative in May.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

                                                                                            ###

MINOT, N.D. –Jessamy Fornshell has joined SRT Communications as Chief Financial Officer. She will lead SRT’s strategy for driving financial performance, ensuring operational efficiency, and providing guidance to propel the telecommunications cooperative’s growth.

As CFO at United Quality Cooperative prior to joining SRT, Fornshell was responsible for finance, accounting, inventory, human resources, and credit/collections. She also previously served ten years at CHS, Inc., both as Northland Region Accounting Manager overseeing business units across North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and as Controller for local Country Operations locations: CHS SunPrairie and Dakota Agronomy Partners.

“Jessamy brings a wealth of expertise from her combined cooperative background and her financial and business acumen,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “As we advance strategies that leverage our 100% fiber optic platform, Jessamy’s leadership will ensure solid growth and a sound financial future.”

Fornshell earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Dakota and is a Certified Public Accountant. “Joining SRT is an exciting opportunity to be part of a company that’s deeply rooted in its community and committed to delivering exceptional service,” she said. “I’m eager to collaborate with the team and contribute to SRT’s continued success and strategic growth.”

Hjelmstad added, “Jessamy understands our business model and the communities we serve. We look forward to her contribution to SRT as a member of our senior leadership team.”

Fornshell lives in Minot with her family. She succeeds Perry Erdmann as CFO, who is retiring after 23 years with SRT.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

                                                                                            ###