SRT.COM

Press Release

SRT Offers Local and National Scholarship Opportunities

SRT Offers Local and National Scholarship Opportunities

2022_company_scholarship_blg

Minot, ND – The 2022 SRT College Scholarship Program applications are now available. Five local scholarships totaling $8,500 will be awarded to students in 2022. In addition, SRT partners with the Foundation for Rural Service to offer national scholarships.

The SRT College Scholarship program awards four $1,500 scholarships. The program evaluates community involvement, school activities, an essay response, and grade point average.

The SRT Technical Scholarship will award $2,500 to one student. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students studying telecommunications or other computer technology related fields.

SRT is also proud to partner as a member of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) to
participate in a national scholarship program that can provide local students with scholarships. Students submitting an FRS application are eligible for multiple national scholarship opportunities.

“SRT and our Board of Directors are committed to helping youth further their education to reach their full potential in school and throughout life,” said SRT CEO/General Manager Cassidy Hjelmstad. “We strongly encourage students to apply for all of our scholarship opportunities. These scholarships can open doors for many students, and we are glad to assist.”

Applications are available at area schools, SRT offices, and online at srt.com/srtcares. FRS
Scholarships applications are due February 25 and SRT Scholarship applications are due March 4. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. An awards luncheon will be held for the winners.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest
telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 people and serves more than 48,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT is committed to bringing the benefits of fiber to rural and urban communities alike and earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, TV, phone, and
security/surveillance systems for home and business.

###

SRT CEO Elected to National Board

SRT CEO Elected to National Board

News_CHNationalBoard2640x320

MINOT, N.D. – Cassidy Hjelmstad, CEO and General Manager of SRT Communications, was elected to the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) Board of Directors as District 14 Director of Communications. Her three-year term began January 1, 2022.

NISC is an information technology organization that develops, implements and supports software and hardware solutions for its members. They deliver advanced solutions, services and support to 882 independent broadband companies, electric cooperatives and other public power entities.

Hjelmstad is the fifth Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of SRT Communications, North Dakota’s largest telecommunications cooperative. For the past 11 years she has held executive positions at SRT, leading strategy to achieve business goals while delivering exceptional customer service.

“Cassidy brings a member-focused philosophy and a vision for growth as SRT’s CEO/General Manager,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. “Her seat on the NISC Board of Directors adds to the positive influence she will have on our coop and the industry. She has direct experience with NISC’s systems and an objective understanding of their benefit to broadband companies.”

Hjelmstad also serves the region through several other Board and Committee appointments, including the NTCA Marketing Committee (The Rural Broadband Association); the NTCA Smart Rural Community Advisory Committee; the Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND) Marketing Committee; the Minot Area Chamber Economic Development Corporation; Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports; and the Minot Area Community Foundation.

 SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 200 people and serves more than 48,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT is committed to bringing the benefits of fiber to rural and urban communities alike and earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, TV, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

 NISC is an industry leader providing information technology solutions including financials, service, operations and marketing as well as many other supporting platforms and business services. With facilities in Mandan, N.D., Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Blacksburg, Va., NISC and its subsidiary employ more than 1,200 professionals between the four locations and remotely throughout the United States. Additional information about NISC can be found at www.nisc.coop.

###

Teal Myre Promoted to Director of Communications and Marketing at SRT

Teal Myre Promoted to Director of Communications and Marketing at SRT

News_TEALspromotion640x320

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.

###

SRT Names Cassidy Hjelmstad as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager

SRT Names Cassidy Hjelmstad as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager

News_Cassidypromotion640x320

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.

###

SRT Announces Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship Recipient

SRT Announces Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship Recipient

MINOT, N.D. – SRT is proud to announce that Lillian Effertz from Velva has received a $2,500 Good Neighbor Scholarship through the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS). Founded in 1994, FRS is the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, of which SRT is a member.

The FRS Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students from rural communities for their first year of college, university, or vocational-technical school. Each student is sponsored by an NTCA member company that also contributes a portion of the scholarship award.

“On behalf of the Foundation for Rural Service, we were proud to award Lillian Effertz the Good Neighbor Scholarship. Through her commitment to her community and her desire to serve rural North Dakota students, Lillian truly embodies what it means to be a good neighbor,” said Shirley Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. “Congratulations, Lillian!”

SRT General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Steve Lysne stated, “Scholarships are an annual program we support. We offer several local scholarships, but are proud to work with the Foundation For Rural Service to give even more opportunities to youth and expose them to national awards. We were thrilled to hear a student from our area won a national award and wish the best to Lillian in all her future endeavors.”

A full list of scholarship awardees and the NTCA member companies who are partnering with FRS to make the funding possible is available online.

 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 more than 200 people, and serves over 48,000 customers.

 The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Visit us at www.frs.org.

 NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at https://www.ntca.org.

###