MINOT, N.D. – John Reiser, SRT Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager, will retire November 30 after 26 years with the organization.

Reiser joined SRT as Controller in 1996, then progressed to Director of Accounting before becoming COO/Assistant General Manager in 2003. As COO he led SRT through several pivotal milestones for the cooperative. While SRT was transitioning from a landline phone company to a broadband company, Reiser oversaw day-to-day operations while managing key projects that helped SRT build its state-of-the-art fiber optic network. He also negotiated with national wireless carriers when SRT exited the retail wireless business in 2017, as well as ongoing tower lease agreements.

“We all hold John in high regard for his impressive knowledge of telecommunications, from policy and insurance to contracts and many other aspects of the industry,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “His ability to view situations with the big picture in mind will be greatly missed.”

A respected voice in the industry, Reiser served nationally on NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association’s Retirement & Security Program and Savings Plan Trust Committee. His legal background and human resources expertise were assets to the national committee and an invaluable resource for SRT employees.

MINOT, N.D. – Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel in Tolley received new windows partially funded by a Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grant matched by SRT Communications.

RDFC awarded a $500 grant to Mouse River Park All Faiths Chapel in 2021, which SRT matched with an additional $500 donation. The chapel used the funds to install new replacement windows – an upgrade that enhances the building’s appearance and helps to insulate it against North Dakota weather.

The chapel provides a community space for services, community meetings, family gatherings, and entertainment. Special functions include women’s bible study every Monday and a Christmas Eve mass every year. Local residents donated quilts and blankets for each pew to keep congregants warm during the late-night holiday service.

Shawna Atwood, Secretary/Treasurer and Board member of the chapel, grew up two miles from where it stands today. She recalls her father and other area neighbors supporting the idea of having a chapel by the park. In 1992 the chapel was moved from Greene, North Dakota, to its current home on the east end of Mouse River Park.

SRT is among the North Dakota rural telecommunication and electric cooperatives that are members of RDFC. A nonprofit finance and development corporation, RDFC provides funding for economic development and diversification projects in rural North Dakota. Applications are submitted to RDFC; if approved, funds are matched 100% by SRT.

“SRT appreciates the rural towns throughout our service area. We gladly match RDFC funding for projects that help our local communities thrive,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

MINOT, N.D. – Renville Cemetery recently unveiled newly planted trees and other improvements partially funded by an RDFC grant matched by SRT Communications.

In 2021 RDFC awarded a $500 grant to Renville Cemetery, which SRT matched with an additional $500 donation. The cemetery used the funds to plant rows of spruce trees along the adjacent farmland and replace the white chain fencing around the cemetery borders.

The Mohall community also helped in the fundraising for this project, which speaks to the local support of the cemetery. The result is an idyllic resting place amid corn and wheat fields for the farming families who have been in Renville Cemetery since 1902.

Jay Rice, the sexton for the Renville Cemetery, had a hand in the tree planting and chain replacement to beautify the space. Rice volunteers his time to maintain the grounds, ensuring it’s mowed and looking tidy. For decades, area residents have assumed the responsibility of upkeep and in recent years Rice took on the work. “We like the history and legacy here,” he said. “We’re happy to keep it up.”

SRT is among the North Dakota rural telecommunication and electric cooperatives that are members of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). The RDFC is a nonprofit finance and development corporation that provides funding for economic development and diversification projects in rural North Dakota. Applications are submitted to the RDFC. If approved, funds are matched 100% by SRT.

“Matching RDFC grant funding is one way SRT shows its support to help communities thrive,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications is pleased to announce the distribution of nearly $2.4 million in credits back to its members.

In a decision made by SRT’s Board of Directors, the cooperative will be issuing checks that include a portion of the 2000 allocation and a portion of the 2021 allocation. Checks will be mailed out in early June.

A core benefit of belonging to a cooperative, capital credits represent its members’ ownership equity.

“Capital credits are one of the many ways we can provide real value to our membership. SRT looks forward to this opportunity to share in the cooperative’s financial stability and give back to our members. We are sincerely grateful to them for helping to fulfill our mission and investing in a company they own,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

How SRT Capital Credits Work

• At the end of the fiscal year, it is determined whether there are excess revenues, called margins.
• The margins are allocated to members as capital credits based upon the amount spent by the member during the year.
• The Board of Directors decides to retire, or pay, the capital credits when the cooperative’s financial condition allows.
• 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 awards scholarships to recognize our area students’ exceptional achievements and support their promising college goals,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO/General Manager. “As always, we received many impressive applications. It’s been an honor to see how much this scholarship program impacts area youth and we are happy to play a small role in their success.”

Applicants for the SRT Scholarship Program were judged on their scholastic performance and achievements, as well as volunteerism and community involvement. Students were required to write an essay discussing how technology has impacted their experience as a student, whether positively or negatively, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SRT Technical Scholarship also required students to submit their volunteerism and community involvement, scholastic performance, and an essay describing how they can use their education and technology to reach rural and underserved populations. Additionally, a letter of recommendation from a community member or educator was required. This scholarship is unique in that it can be awarded to a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college.

SRT congratulates the winners and wishes all seniors the best in their future endeavors.