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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.

Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

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Fiber: The Friendliest Internet for Your Community and Planet

SRT Fiber is the most advanced technology you can choose for your Internet connection, able to handle your online activity like no other technology before. But did you know it’s also the most sustainable choice you can make for your home or business?

True to our 75-year History of Innovation, SRT replaced old copper cable with high-performing fiber optics throughout our service area. More than a service provider, SRT cares about your community. Our fiber internet not only works better than any other option; it’s actually better for your home, your town, and our earth!

Big on Speed, Small on Carbon Footprint

Fiber internet, known for its high speeds and capacity, is also a champion of environmental friendliness. The core of this technology uses light to transmit data, which is more energy-efficient than the electrical data transmission used in traditional copper wires of broadband. This efficiency stems from the reduced energy loss in fiber-optic cables, ensuring that data travels longer distances with minimal degradation.

Less Hungry for Energy

A key factor distinguishing fiber internet in its environmental impact is its significantly lower energy consumption. Studies indicate that fiber-optic networks consume up to 70% less energy than conventional copper networks. This substantial reduction is attributed to the efficiency of data transmission and the minimal heat generation by fiber cables, which in turn lowers the need for cooling systems, a major consumer of energy in data centers and network infrastructures.

Longer Lasting, More Durable

Fiber optic internet uses glass fibers capable of transmitting data at speeds up to roughly two-thirds the speed of light. Unlike traditional copper cables, fiber optics maintain signal strength over long distances, ensuring consistent performance. Fiber’s more durable physical composition means it consumes fewer resources and generates less waste. Fiber is also less susceptible to weather and electromagnetic interference, making it more reliable and less prone to frequent repairs or replacements. Other key features of fiber optic internet include symmetrical download and upload speeds, high bandwidth to meet high demand, and future-proof infrastructure that can take on additional data demands and technological advances.

Key to Smart Rural Communities

As a Smart Rural Community (SRC) provider designated by NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, SRT delivers cutting-edge, high-speed fiber so our members can live rich lives in their own communities. Our SRT Fiber internet supports smart initiatives that help communities, large and small, leverage technology for efficient use of their local energy and resources. We are committed to promoting innovative economic development and other important services, and fiber is central to that commitment.

SRT Fiber delivers green, smart service that creates a productive and sustainable environment, whether you’re in your living room, office, school, or the great outdoors! Happy Earth Day.

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.