Cassidy Hjelmstad, CEO and General Manager of SRT, was named one of 2023’s Top 25 Women in Business in Prairie Business magazine.

The 25 recipients were selected through a nomination process that emphasized professional achievement, community contributions and volunteerism.

As SRT’s Chief Executive Officer since January 2022, Cassidy champions economic development for the region, digital inclusion and education for customers, advocacy for telecommunications at state and national levels, and financial stability for the health of the broadband cooperative and its employees and members.

While she served as Chief Marketing Officer, Cassidy successfully advanced SRT’s business goals, built its brand, and positioned SRT for its next phase of broadband growth. Prior to joining SRT in 2010, Cassidy was Director of Community Relations for the Phoenix Suns. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications-Journalism, and Communications Studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Equally embracing servant leadership and cooperative principles, Cassidy’s core values include accountability, integrity, humility, teamwork, relationships, and empowerment.

She is a Member of the NTCA Government Affairs Committee (NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association) and NTCA Smart Rural Community Advisory Committee; Board Chair-Elect of the Minot Area Chamber Economic Development Corporation; Board Vice Chair of Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports; an Honorary Commander with the Minot Air Force Base 91st Missile Wing; Chair of the Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND) Marketing Committee, and Board Member of DCN and NISC. She and her husband, Travis, have three children.

Click here to read the full Top 25 Women in Business issue in Prairie Business. 

MINOT, N.D. – Julie Lizotte, Director of Regulatory Affairs at SRT Communications, retired March 1 after more than 34 years with the organization.

Lizotte joined SRT as an Accounting Clerk in 1989. She progressed to Carrier Services Specialist in 1996 and to Director of Regulatory Affairs in 2004 – the role she held until her retirement.

“Julie navigated every kind of regulatory change imaginable during her tenure with SRT. From voice to broadband regulations, she ensured SRT remained compliant in our business practices,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “We appreciate her contribution to SRT and wish her the best in her retirement.”

Lizotte previously served on the Minot Area Chamber EDC Board of Directors. She has also served as Chairperson of the City of Minot Housing Authority Committee since 2014.

Jesse Ketteman, Network Operations Engineer with SRT since 2005, has joined the Regulatory Affairs team as Regulatory Affairs Manager.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 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.