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SRT Announces 2026 Scholarship and Youth Tour Students

SRT Announces 2026 Scholarship and Youth Tour Students

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Minot, N.D. – SRT has announced the 2026 winners of seven college scholarships totaling $15,000.

The following six students each won a $2,000 SRT General Scholarship:

  • Brynn Hanson (Burlington) – DLB High School
  • Hattie Heer (Douglas) – South Prairie High School
  • Cooper Kittleson (Velva) – Velva High School
  • Sam Knudsvig (Minot) – Our Redeemer’s Christian School
  • Collin Swenson (Minot) – Our Redeemer’s Christian School
  • Brooke Zimmer (Mohall) – MLS-Mohall High School

Tate Heer of Douglas won the $3,000 SRT Technical Scholarship. He will attend Bismarck State College’s Electrical Lineworker program.

“We always look forward to rewarding area students for their accomplishments,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary this year, we are especially honored to continue this decades-long commitment of supporting local youth and their bright futures.”

Shaun Randall and Makayla White of Berthold High School will represent SRT at the 2026 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. These students will learn about the telecommunications industry, tour the nation’s capital, and meet with legislative leaders to discuss their experiences in rural North Dakota.

A panel of SRT board members and employees evaluated General Scholarship applications on scholastic performance and achievements, volunteerism and community involvement, and an essay submission. SRT Technical Scholarship applicants were required to submit volunteerism and community involvement, scholastic performance, an essay, and a letter of recommendation from a community member or educator.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications welcomed Kevin Cales on April 10 as the cooperative’s Director of Sales. Cales brings more than 10 years of experience driving growth, efficiency, and organizational performance across cooperative, retail, and energy operations.

Previously, Cales served as Vice President of Retail Operations for several years, promoted from Director of Ag Home Retail, with United Quality Cooperative in New Town, ND. He led multiple retail centers, sales in lumber, fuel, and ag, and millions of dollars of inventory across the business.

“Kevin has achieved an impressive track record in sales and operations,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “More importantly, he understands the cooperative model and will reinforce our commitment to member value by strengthening local relationships and optimizing the product mix we offer. We look forward to Kevin’s insights and leadership as we continue to innovate for our members.”

As Director of Sales, Cales will drive revenue growth, lead sales strategy, and build a high-performance culture while advancing the cooperative’s mission-driven, member-first focus. “I am excited to join SRT at this pivotal moment,” he said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in the retail industry to accelerate our strategic growth and deliver innovative solutions that drive value for our patrons.”

Cales and his wife live in Minot and have three daughters. In his free time he enjoys biking, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

He succeeds Dan Roberts, who retired after more than 33 years with SRT.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

SRT Announces Call for Artists for 75th Anniversary Commission

SRT Announces Call for Artists for 75th Anniversary Commission

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Minot, ND – SRT is seeking an area artist to create a signature piece to commemorate the cooperative’s 75th Anniversary: “A History of Innovation.” The piece will be unveiled at the SRT Annual Meeting on June 18, 2026.

Artists are encouraged to submit works in any medium including painting, drawing, digital illustration or composite, photographic composition or series, mixed media, etc. Work must be suitable for reproduction by scanning or photography.

The submission schedule is as follows:

  • Artist Background and Vision Submission is due March 20.
  • Finalist Concept Development window is March 25-April 8.
  • Final selection will be made and artist notified by April 10.
  • Finished original work along with digital scan or photo must be delivered by May 18.

All submissions should follow the complete guidelines at www.srt.com/75years. Submissions, questions, or requests for additional details should be emailed to photoentry@srt.com.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

Jesse Ketteman Promoted to SRT Director of Regulatory Compliance

Jesse Ketteman Promoted to SRT Director of Regulatory Compliance

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications has promoted Jesse Ketteman to Director of Regulatory Compliance. He brings more than 20 years of experience with the cooperative to his new role.

Ketteman joined SRT in 2005 as Network Operations Engineer. He subsequently served as Regulatory Affairs Manager from 2022 until his promotion to Director of Regulatory Compliance. He is responsible for leading effective compliance strategies to manage risk and ensure ethical conduct across all areas of the cooperative.

“It is imperative that SRT stay engaged within the telecommunications regulatory environment for the good of our members and the future of rural broadband,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “An expert in navigating regulatory developments, Jesse is committed to maintaining compliant business practices and upholding SRT’s high standards. We appreciate his leadership and sound judgement in this vital role.”

Ketteman is a U.S. Army Veteran and served eight years in the Signal Corps. He lives on a small farm near Granville with his wife, Tammy.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

Jessamy Fornshell Promoted to SRT Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Jessamy Fornshell Promoted to SRT Chief Financial and Operating Officer

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications has promoted Jessamy Fornshell to Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). Fornshell served as SRT’s Chief Financial Officer since May 2025, leading the cooperative’s strategy for driving financial performance, ensuring operational efficiency, and providing guidance to propel growth.

“Beyond her advanced financial acumen, Jessamy has deep knowledge of operations for both local and global cooperative models,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “SRT is in a transformational moment as we provide critical telecommunications infrastructure across the communities we serve. Jessamy’s track record and commitment position her perfectly for leading SRT into the future in this dual role.”

Prior to joining SRT, Fornshell was CFO at United Quality Cooperative, where she 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.

Fornshell earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Dakota and is a Certified Public Accountant. She lives in Minot with her family.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.