MINOT, ND – Mail2World, SRT’s third party email provider, continues to experience an outage that affects all SRT email customers. Mail2World attributes the outage to a ransomware attack and reports that customer data has not been compromised.

SRT email customers have not been able to send or receive emails since Mail2World reported the unplanned technology-related service interruption on Wednesday morning, January 12. While the email provider had estimated restoration by mid-afternoon on January 13, Mail2World is still working on restoring their servers and has not issued a revised timeline.

“The ransomware attack is on Mail2World’s server that controls distribution of email, not on SRT directly,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, CEO and General Manager of SRT. “We believe Mail2World’s statement that our customers’ information has not been compromised. We know this is a highly sensitive issue and we will continue to ask questions of our email provider. But for now, we are hoping they can resolve the issue soon.”

Founded in 2000, Mail2World supports email hosting services for companies across the country and millions of mailboxes globally. The company is headquartered in the United States with offices located worldwide.

“Mail2World has been working around the clock to get services up as quickly as possible,” Hjelmstad added. “As a large, established email provider, they have security experts and systems in place and are working with government authorities to resolve the situation as soon as possible. We, along with our email customers, are experiencing firsthand the impact and havoc bad actors can cause to our daily lives.”

Hjelmstad concluded, “SRT takes our customers’ service experience seriously. We realize that the interruption has hindered our customers’ ability to communicate and conduct business. SRT sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience and appreciates everyone’s patience while Mail2World restores email services.”

SRT Communications located in Minot, North Dakota is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. SRT services include Internet, Security, TV, Phone and Business Services and has served north central North Dakota since 1951, employs nearly 200 people, and serves over 40,000 customers.

MINOT, ND – Teal Myre has been promoted to Director of Communications and Marketing at SRT Communications. Myre has served as public relations manager since 2016, and has worked in the corporate communications department at SRT since 2004. In her time at SRT, Teal has been influential in implementing effective marketing strategies, community outreach and events, and overseeing impactful programs such as youth scholarships and working with area non-profits. Myre will lead SRT’s corporate communications, customer service, and billing departments to promote technology driven services and provide exceptional customer experience.

SRT CEO and General Manager Steve Lysne said, “We are happy Teal can step into this position. She has continued to excel in the public relations and marketing arena throughout her years of service to SRT. Teal is committed to member experience and the cooperative values that impact telecommunications services for our members. We look forward to adding her to our executive staff team.”

Myre is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a degree in Public Relations, and earned a master’s degree in Management from Minot State University. Myre succeeds Cassidy Hjelmstad who was recently selected to serve as SRT’s next CEO and General Manager.

SRT Communications located in Minot, North Dakota is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. SRT is completing a fiber optic network build throughout its service area and offers Internet, Security, TV, Phone and Business Services. SRT has served north central North Dakota since 1951, employs nearly 200 people, and serves approximately 40,000 customers.

MINOT, ND – The SRT Communications, Inc. Board of Directors announced today that Cassidy Hjelmstad has been named Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of SRT effective January 1, 2022. She succeeds Steve Lysne who will retire December 31, 2021, after 27 years with the cooperative.

“The board and I are confident in Cassidy’s ability to guide this company in the years ahead,” said Board President Allan Engh. “The decision was carefully considered, and we were fortunate to have such qualified candidates. We look forward to her leadership, which will include completion of the fiber optic network build that delivers state of the art communication services to our members.”

Hjelmstad stated, “My family and I are humbled to serve this organization and continue SRT’s mission to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. I am grateful to the board of directors for their trust in me and for the management team and employees who have built the strong foundation we currently have. This is an exciting industry and I look forward to furthering the cooperative’s mission.”

Hjelmstad serves as the Chief Marketing Officer, leading the corporate communications, customer service and billing departments. She has led her teams to implement effective strategies for product sales growth while delivering exceptional customer experience.

Hjelmstad becomes the fifth Chief Executive Officer/General Manager in SRT’s 70-year history. Originally from Newburg, Hjelmstad, and her husband, Travis, have three children and live in Minot.

SRT Communications located in Minot, North Dakota is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. SRT is completing a fiber optic network build throughout its service area and offers Internet, Security, TV, Phone and Business Services. SRT has served north central North Dakota since 1951, employs nearly 200 people, and serves approximately 40,000 customers.

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