Cooperative Community CONNECTED
CONNECTED
69TH ANNUAL MEETING RTC.coop/annualmeeting2020 Thursday, July 30th, 2020 2:00 p.m.
WELCOME
Members AGENDA FOR THE 69TH ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, July 30th 2020 Call to Order...............................................................Jeanette Hoff Invocation......................................................Pastor Chris Lenning Introductions.............................................................Jeanette Hoff
Reading of Meeting Notice and Proof of Mailing
Approval of Minutes
Nominating Committee Report
Director Election Results...........................................Alicia Brenna
Proposed By-Law Changes
Audit Report...............................................................Jon Lee, CPA President’s & CEO/GM Report..........Jeanette Hoff & Shane Hart Unfinished Business.................................................Jeanette Hoff
New Business
Adjournment
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RESERVATION TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE
Officers & Directors
Jeanette Hoff
Jared Eagle
Jennifer Sorenson
Wayne Skarda
Terry Wilber
Marlyn Froseth
Barbara Steinmetz
Alicia Brenna
President - District 4 Parshall, Plaza
Director - District 1A Alexander, Arnegard, Keene, Squaw Gap, Watford City
Tim Krebsbach
Director - District 5 Douglas, Makoti, Max, Roseglen, Ryder
Vice President - District 2A Mandaree, New Town, Ross
Director - District 2B Mandaree, New Town, Ross
Director - District 6 Emmet, Garrison
Secretary/Treasurer - District 1B Alexander, Arnegard, Keene, Squaw Gap, Watford City
Director - District 3 Kenmare, Norma, Spencer
Attorney
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RESERVATION TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE
68th Annual Meeting Minutes The 68th Annual Meeting of Reservation Telephone Cooperative was held on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the 4 Bears Event Center, New Town, ND. The meal was provided by the 4 Bears Event Center staff and registration was held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sadie Bone performed the national anthem on saxophone and then Brooke Mogen sang the national anthem.
A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the 2019 Nominating Committee minutes and to approve as per copy in the Annual Meeting booklet. M/C Secretary-Treasurer Glenn Schreiner presented the candidates for director districts. Candidate for District 1A is Wayne Skarda. Candidate for District 4 is Jeanette Hoff. Candidate for District 6 is Barbara Steinmetz. All candidates are running unopposed. A motion was made and seconded to cast a unanimous ballot for Wayne Skarda for District 1A, Jeanette Hoff for District 4
President Jeanette Hoff called the meeting to order. Pastor
and Barbara Steinmetz for District 6. M/C
Jonathan Starks gave the invocation. Director Schreiner introduced RTC employee, Eric Jaeger, to President Hoff appointed Human Resources Manager
draw for door prizes.
Gretchen Edwards as Recording Secretary and RTC Attorney Alicia Brenna as Parliamentarian of the meeting. There were
President Hoff introduced Accounting Manager Jon Lee.
272 registered members present. Secretary-Treasurer Glenn
Accounting Manager Jon Lee presented the audit report.
Schreiner declared the existence of a quorum.
Manager Lee reported auditor Moss Adams gave RTC a clean, unmodified audit opinion for 2018.
President Hoff introduced Board directors and their spouses. Several special guests were also introduced.
Manager Lee reported that RTC’s sales grew by over $5 million bringing our total operating revenue to over $45 million in 2018.
A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the
This is our highest revenue in RTC history and about twice our
reading of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proof of Mailing.
revenue from 2012. Operating expenses increased about 2%.
M/C
Net margins for 2018 totaled $8,219,836, an improvement of more than $3.7 million from 2017. RTC’s total assets exceeds
A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the
$123 million dollars. Long-term debt is our largest liability at
reading of the 67th Annual Meeting Minutes and to approve as
$69 million.
per copy in Annual Meeting Book. M/C
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President Hoff announced that
President Hoff informed attendees the statewide association
approval was needed for the 2018
known as the North Dakota Association of Telephone
Audit Report.
Cooperatives (NDATC) has changed their name to Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND). This more accurately
A motion was made and seconded
reflects the organization it is today. Their primary function is to
to approve the 2018 Audit Report as
monitor and advocate for beneficial regulations with our state
presented. M/C
and national policymakers.
President Hoff and CEO/GM Shane
CEO/GM Hart reported on the ten educational and informative
Hart gave a joint report.
videos that RTC created over the past year and can be viewed
President Hoff reported that RTC
on RTC’s website. We are proud of how our services have a
has had another very successful
positive impact on the lives of those we serve. CEO/GM Hart
year with record revenue and net
introduced the “Why it Matters” video and it was shown to
income. CEO/GM Hart stated today
attendees.
91% of RTC subscribers receive their services via fiber and presented a
President Hoff invited the four 2019 RTC scholarship winners
map on the large screens showing
and the 2019 FRS Youth Tour participant to come to the stage
where fiber is deployed and where
to be recognized. CEO/GM Hart introduced each student and
we are deploying fiber in 2019. RTC
they were congratulated.
plans to spend $7 million in 2019 towards fiber construction just as we did in 2018. In 2019, RTC
CEO/GM Hart recognized Director Marlyn Froseth and he
will be plowing fiber in rural Max, rural Douglas and rural Ryder
was presented with a plaque in recognition of his 40 years
along with the newly added area of Cartwright which is now
of service to RTC as a director. Judy Brunsell, RTC employee,
part of the Alexander exchange.
received a plaque in recognition of her 46 years of service to RTC. CEO/GM Hart announced that Judy will retire at the end of
President Hoff added that while our traditional telephone
June.
service lines are declining, RTC now has over 10,000 internet subscribers, which is a new record. High speed internet is the
President Hoff and CEO/GM Hart proceeded with thanking
most requested service by our members.
those involved with the meeting. There were drawings for door prizes.
CEO/GM Hart discussed challenges RTC faces in video costs. RTC continues to look for alternative methods for delivering
President Hoff called for unfinished business. There was none.
quality video content that is affordable. Regardless of the technology used, RTC promises to provide the best channel
President Hoff called for new business. There was none.
line-up possible at the most affordable prices we can. President Hoff stated the Board of Directors continues to
A drawing was held for the children’s prize of a Kids edition
evaluate the cooperative’s ability to fund its obligations,
Amazon Echo Dot and the Grand Prize of a 55” Samsung Smart
including capital credits. Even though we had strong revenues
TV.
and net income in 2018 our equity ratio is 37%, which means for every dollar RTC has, 63 cents is owed to a lender. This
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. M/C
is an improvement over the last few years but is not high enough to afford a general capital credit retirement this year.
Meeting adjourned.
RTC continues to pay capital credits to estates and closed businesses. Over $412,000 was paid in 2018 to estate capital credits and closed businesses. CEO/GM Hart talked about surveillance cameras, which is a
Respectfully submitted,
rapidly growing service at RTC. These cameras allow you to
Gretchen Edwards, Recording Secretary
monitor your property while away using a tablet or smartphone.
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2020 RTC NOMINATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
The Nominating Committee met Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at
Motion and second to nominate Lance Kalmbach for District 3.
10:00 a.m. by conference call. Members present per roll call
M/C
were: Bonnie Billadeau, Terri Morenski, Joel Lindquist, James
Motion and second to nominate Amy Ones for District 3. M/C
Hansen, Curtis Peterson, Mylo Wolding, Cliff Tollefson, Susan Best, and Karla Quale.
Motion and second that it is the recommendation of the Nominating Committee to have the paper ballots, alternated
CEO/GM Shane Hart and HR Manager Gretchen Edwards were
50/50 with each candidate’s name at the top of the ballot, if
also in attendance.
there is a contested election. M/C.
CEO/GM Shane Hart introduced himself and HR Manager
Discussed if committee members would be available to count
Gretchen Edwards to committee members.
ballots if they are in attendance at the annual meeting. CEO/ GM Hart explained that the Annual Meeting would most likely
Motion and second to nominate Mylo Wolding as Chairman.
be postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Board will
M/C
decide at their meeting on April 23, 2020. Chairman Wolding agreed to read the Minutes of the Nominating Committee
Motion and second to nominate Gretchen Edwards, RTC HR
Meeting at the Annual Meeting if needed.
Manager as Recording Secretary. M/C CEO/GM Hart explained how RTC and their employees The Nominating Committee reviewed the packet they were
are functioning during the coronavirus and answered any
given including the Notice of Meeting and RTC by-laws
questions the committee members had.
regarding director nomination. Chairman Wolding called for any other business. The Nominating Committee reviewed the signed Certification of Nominee forms completed by Jennifer Sorenson, Terry
Motion and second to adjourn. M/C
Wilber, Lance Kalmbach and Amy Ones. No other Certification of Nominee forms were received by committee members or at
Meeting adjourned.
the RTC office. Motion and second to nominate Jennifer Sorenson for District 1B. M/C Respectfully submitted, Motion and second to nominate Terry Wilber for District 2B.
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M/C
Gretchen Edwards, Recording Secretary
DIRECTOR
Candidates Jennifer Sorenson DISTRICT 1B CANDIDATE
Alexander, Arnegard, Keene, Squaw Gap, Watford City Jennifer Sorenson has served on the RTC Board of Directors for 12 years. She and her husband Curtis farm and ranch five miles south of Watford City. Jennifer graduated from Watford City High School and North Dakota State School of Science. Jennifer and Curtis’ son Jarvis, his wife Kadie, and their three children join them as 4th and 5th generation on the family ranch. Their daughter Erin, husband Tim Fjeldahl and three children also live in Watford City. Jennifer enjoys helping out on the ranch, traveling and keeping up with her grandchildren’s activities. Jennifer is a member of District One Cattlewomen and past President of the Watford City Lions and the Pioneer Museum. She is active in the First Lutheran Church and enjoys volunteering and being active in the community.
Terry Wilber
DISTRICT 2B CANDIDATE Mandaree, New Town, Ross Terry Wilber has served on the RTC Board of Directors for 21 years from District 2B. Terry is a past president of the RTC Board of Directors. Terry was employed by Northrop Grumman in New Town and retired after 32 years, with over 28 years as the Plant Manager. He graduated from New Town High School and Dickinson State University with a degree in Business Administration. Terry is currently involved in a variety of organizations including the New Town Lakeside Community Living Center, New Town Health Support, Van Hook Cemetery Association and the Bethel Lutheran Church. Terry was involved in the startup and initial operation of TJMD, LLP, which performs various oilfield services. Terry has been married to Marcia since 1974 and they have three children: Dana, Mike and Jesse; and ten grandchildren. When time allows, Terry enjoys yard work, hunting, fishing, golfing and getting involved in projects that provide business development and employment opportunities in the area.
Lance Kalmbach DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATE Kenmare, Norma, Spencer Lance Kalmbach was born and raised on a farm and graduated from Flaxton High School. He started in the grain elevator business out of high school and currently works as a Procurement Merchandiser/ Broker for CHS SunPrairie in Bowbells. Lance and his wife Jane have lived in Kenmare since 1991 and have two grown children, Sam and wife Kelsey live in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and Sarah who lives in Moorhead, MN. Lance currently serves on the transportation committee of the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association and is also on the board of the Kenmare Housing Authority to the city of Kenmare. Some of his hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping and just spending time with friends and family.
Amy Ones
DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATE Kenmare, Norma, Spencer Amy Ones is a graduate of Kenmare High School and the University of North Dakota earning degrees in both Accounting & Business Management. She has also successfully passed the Uniform CPA exam. Amy has been the Flaxton City Auditor for the past 8 years and owns her own consulting business that specializes in governmental accounting, charitable gaming and grant writing. Amy’s community involvement includes being the chairperson for the Kenmare Area Community Foundation, a director on the Kenmare Public School Board of Education and a member of the Bowbells United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Ryan, who is employed as the assistant service manager for Gooseneck Implement, live in rural Kenmare with their two children, Grace and Brooks. Amy enjoys attending her kiddos academic and sporting activities and promoting and advocating for ND communities. She looks forward to the potential opportunity of being elected to the District 3 RTC board position and serving area cooperative members and RTC employees.
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CONNECTED
Cooperative Community CONNECTED
The RTC team is working diligently to ensure all of our members are receiving the best experience possible in regards to the services you purchase and the interactions you have with RTC. To assist with this, we have hired an outside entity to call on various members who have had a recent interaction with RTC by installing new service or reporting trouble with an
existing service. If you have received one of these calls, THANK YOU for your valuable input about your service experience. Your candid responses to the questions asked provide us with the information we need to continually look for ways to better serve you. In addition to growing our connections to more subscribers RTC also had a successful year in terms of operating revenues and net margin. You can review this information on pages 10 and 11 of
Shane Hart
CEO & General Manager
Jeanette Hoff President
We are excited and proud to share our 2019 Annual Report, in which we will highlight many of the ways that RTC has continued to connect our communities over the past year. While we are not able to meet in person this year due to COVID-19, we assure you we are doing everything we can to ensure the RTC membership is connected. We would like to take just a few moments to explain those efforts.
your annual report. Now we would like to express our gratitude to all of those whose efforts have made RTC so successful. First of all to Marlyn Froseth for his service to RTC. Marlyn has faithfully served on the RTC Board of Directors in various capacities for 42 years. We want to thank Marlyn for his dedication, his leadership, and the knowledge he has shared with all of us. Over his 42 years on the board, Marlyn has served alongside 20 other directors and all 4 of RTC’s General Managers. You can read more about his tenure with RTC on pages 14-15. Congratulations Marlyn, on a job well done!
Over the past year, RTC continued our fiber buildout in rural Max, rural Ryder, and the Cartwright area, which is part of the
Next, we offer our gratitude to the entire Board of Directors for
Alexander exchange. We also installed fiber connections to
their leadership and guidance they provide. RTC is truly blessed
over 300 new home and business locations. This number of
to have such intelligent individuals serving in these positions.
new connections is very positive for RTC and shows that our cooperative is continuing to grow.
We also want to give a big “THANK YOU” to all of the employees of RTC. Your daily dedication to RTC and the people we serve is
Fast, reliable broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for
why RTC had another successful year.
those who live in our rural communities. RTC offers some of the fastest internet speeds available across the country. We offer
Finally, we want to say “THANK YOU” to all of our member-
Gigabit speeds in almost every community we serve. Along with
owners for your continued loyalty and support of RTC. It takes
great internet quality and speeds, RTC is proud to offer quality
all of us, board, employees and member-owners working
Wi-Fi to your home, your business or your lake cabin! Wi-Fi
together to achieve the success RTC experienced this past year.
allows you to wirelessly connect to the internet with one of the many devices you may have.
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We look forward to serving you again in the upcoming year!
“
RTC is commited to ensuring our memberowners are connected, entertained, informed, and secure
“
- Shane Hart
CEO & General Manager
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RESERVATION TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE
Revenues & Expenses 2019
2018
Local Customer Services
$4,253,950
$5,168,597
Intercarrier Services
$9,052,913
$7,198,030
$17,449,989
$16,031,327
$4,870,739
$4,606,944
$10,714,385
$9,086,520
$4,094,465
$3,662,680
$50,436,441
$45,754,098
$8,724,708
$9,072,452
$10,227,862
$9,804,043
$4,623,341
$4,497,818
$87,820
$91,628
Non-regulated Expenses
$13,332,583
$12,934,773
Total Operating Expenses
$36,996,314
$36,400,714
OPERATING MARGIN
$13,440,127
$9,353,384
$2,217,276
$1,514,303
$2,548,472
$2,536,395
$119,720
$111,456
$12,989,211
$8,219,836
Patronage Capital - Beginning of Year
$46,144,667
$38,293,491
Net Margins for Period
$12,989,211
$8,219,836
$53,527
$43,986
$(547,247)
$(412,646)
$58,640,158
$46,144,667
OPERATING REVENUES
Universal Service and High Cost Support Television Revenue Internet Revenue Miscellaneous Revenue Total Operating Revenues
OPERATING EXPENSES Plant Depreciation Customer and Corporate Other Operating Taxes
NET NON-OPERATING MARGIN NET MARGIN BEFORE INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES Interest on Long-term Debt Income Taxes
NET MARGINS STATEMENT OF PATRONAGE CAPITAL
Federal Excise Tax Refund to Patrons Retirement of Capital Credits Patronage Capital - End of Year
Audit Statement In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Reservation Telephone Cooperative and subsidiary as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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– Moss Adams, LLP
RESERVATION TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE
Assets & Liabilities 2019
2018
Cash and Investments
$8,844,514
$3,029,494
Receivables
$4,875,019
$3,319,884
Materials and Supplies
$4,759,343
$3,436,110
$860,067
$736,352
$19,338,943
$10,521,840
$8,545,702
$8,772,535
$750,709
$345,092
$9,296,411
$9,117,627
Total Telephone Plant
188,460,770
186,053,738
Depreciation
(84,728,180)
(82,177,710)
Net Telephone Plant
103,732,590
103,876,028
$132,367,944
$123,515,495
$3,783,974
$619,076
$-0
$-0
Other Current Liabilities
$699,784
$691,275
Current Portion of Debt
$5,913,245
$3,133,301
Total Current Liabilities
$10,397,003
$4,443,652
Long-term Debt
$60,648,383
$69,367,431
Deferred Credits
$2,682,400
$3,559,745
$58,640,158
$46,144,667
$132,367,944
$123,515,495
ASSETS (What We Own)
Prepayments Total Current Assets Long-term Investments Other Noncurrent Assets Total Investments
Total Assets
LIABILITIES (What We Owe) Accounts Payable Advance Payments
Patronage Capital Total Liabilities and Capital
14,000,000 Net Margins
$12,989,211
10,500,000 7,000,000
$8,219,836
$4,503,948
3,500,000 $2,972,497
0
2015
$2,830,437
2016
2017
2018
2019 11
INTERNET SERVICE
Growth
Percentage of broadband customers by speed
250 x 250 Mbps 1,117 Customers 500 x 500 Mbps 505 Customers
11% 5%
73%
4%
1 Gig x 1 Gig 426 Customers Other 755 Customers
100 x 100 Mbps 7,774 Customers
7%
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JAN ‘20
FEB ‘20
MAR ‘20
APRIL ‘20
10,577
10,357
DEC ‘19
10,385
NOV ‘19
10,267
OCT ‘19
10,224
SEPT ‘19
10,342
AUG ‘19
10,199
JUL ‘19
10,158
JUN ‘19
10,093
10,001
MAY ‘19
10,038
10,010
11,000 10,800 10,600 10,400 10,200 10,000 9,800 9,600 9,400 9,200 9,000
10,601
Broadband Growth
MAY ‘20
RTC AWARDS COLLEGE
Scholarships
Garrett Stroklund
Hailey Carns
Kaitlyn Klein
Nathan Talbott
Garrett Stroklund is the son of Clinton and Rebecca Stroklund. He is a senior at Kenmare High School. He has been active in Future Farmers of America (FFA), band, choir, basketball, football, track, baseball, St. Agnes CCD and drama. This fall, Garrett plans to attend the University of North Dakota majoring in Aviation. He hopes to become a commercial pilot and would love to live in North Dakota as he would like to be a part of his local community by coaching football or basketball.
Hailey Carns is the daughter of John and Angie Carns. She is a senior at Watford City High School. She has been active in DECA, Student Council, The Ambassadors Program and cheerleading. This fall, Hailey plans to attend Williston State College majoring in Nursing. She would like to become a neonatal nurse and return to Watford City to work at McKenzie County Healthcare. She looks forward to giving back to the community where she grew up.
Kaitlyn Klein is the daughter of Travis and Sharon Klein. She is a senior at Garrison High School. She has been active in student government, volleyball, basketball, track and volunteering at St. Nicholas Parish. This fall, Kaitlyn plans to attend Bismarck State College majoring in Secondary Education with a minor in Business. Kaitlyn foresees the growing need for teachers in North Dakota and believes this is a great opportunity to prepare students to be great citizens that will benefit the communities and cites of ND.
Nathan Talbott is the son of Richard and Lesli Talbott. He is a senior at Max Public School. He has been active in basketball, cross country, Student Council and Honor Society. This fall, Nathan plans to attend Minot State University majoring in Marketing. Nathan loves all aspects of business and knows he would enjoy a career marketing and selling products. He has even started taking college level business courses.
Service Award PRESENTATION
The following RTC employees and directors have been recognized for their number years of service to the cooperative as of the year ending in 2019.
1 Year Joy Braaflat CSR I
Tyler Carter FIBER SPLICER
Aaron Schenfisch UTILITY TECH
5 Years Stephanie Hayden CSR II LEAD
Jeremy Zacher UTILITY TECH
10 Years Gretchen Edwards HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
Lori Johnson
Belden Moberg
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
Chad Talbott
DATA NETWORK TECH III COORDINATOR
James Vaagen COMBINATION TECH
CSR II
15 Years
Jessie Many Ribs
Dave Uhlich
FIBER SPLICER
20 Years Monica Bangen CSR II
Terry Wilber DIRECTOR
25 Years Ron Sanderson CABLE LOCATOR
COMBINATION TECH COORDINATOR
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Marlyn Froseth
Term after term, Marlyn Froseth has run largely unopposed for his seat on RTC’s Board of Directors. that really wanted to take my place,” Marlyn said. “So I guess that’s how I stayed on so long.” Marlyn has been a dedicated member of the board since 1978, serving as Chairman from 1989 to 1996 and spending several years as Secretary-Treasurer. Now, after 42 years of service— and at 88 years old—Marlyn has announced that he will be retiring from the board. “I have been proud to be a part of RTC’s success over the years,” Marlyn said. “It is going to be very hard to leave.”
Four Decades of Growth In his four decades on our Board of Directors, Marlyn has witnessed a revolution not just here at RTC, but in the telecommunications industry as a whole. When Marlyn was first elected in 1978, RTC had just 21 employees and one service offering: telephone. Marlyn oversaw RTC’s expansion into the cable television business in the 1980s, and led the way when we began offering internet service in 1995. Today, RTC has over 100 employees serving 20 exchanges over 6,000 square miles. We are about 90 percent built out with Fiber-to-the-Home, technology that did not even exist four decades ago.
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“When I first got on the board, to get a private phone line was a big deal,” Marlyn said. “I couldn’t have imagined back then what we would become.” One highlight of Marlyn’s tenure on RTC’s Board of Directors was the acquisition of our Garrison, Kenmare, and Max exchanges. In 1996, US West, one of the seven regional Bell Operating Companies, was looking to sell off some of its
“
When I first got on the board, to get a private phone line was a big deal.
“
“I enjoyed being on the board and I didn’t really have anybody
smaller properties across the state. Along with Gene Sloane, RTC’s General Manager at the time, Marlyn sat on a committee of 15 rural telephone cooperatives and small independent companies to divide the properties and negotiate a price.
“We had to negotiate with US West for a price that involved 15
the two have four children, six grandchildren,
different entities. So that got to be quite a process,” Marlyn said.
and eleven great-grandchildren.
“In the end we purchased those three pieces of property, which almost doubled the size of our cooperative as far as landlines at
We are grateful to Marlyn for sharing this chapter of his life
the time. It made our company quite a bit larger and stronger.”
with RTC. Under his leadership, we have created dozens of jobs in our communities, invested in new technologies that no
Over the years, Marlyn has also made more than 20 trips
one could have dreamed of four decades ago, and made rural
to Washington, D.C. with the Rural Broadband Association
North Dakota more connected than ever before.
(formerly the National Telephone Cooperative Association) to advocate for the rural telecom industry. On these trips, he
While we are thrilled to have two very capable nominees
spoke with legislators about the importance of supporting the
running for his position, we will certainly miss Marlyn on the
Universal Service Funds, a government-administered program
RTC Board of Directors.
to subsidize telephone and broadband services in rural and high-cost areas, for low-income consumers, and for schools,
“I couldn’t have enjoyed anything in my life more than being
libraries, and healthcare facilities.
on the board for RTC. It has given me the opportunity to participate in so many things that I never would have had the
All in all, Marlyn considers these trips a success.
chance to otherwise, and it has made me a better person,” Marlyn said. “Next to my family, it has been the most important
“We still have the Universal Service Funds working for us,”
part of my life.”
Marlyn said. “And personally, it has really broadened my understanding of government and I have been able to meet
Thank you, Marlyn, for 42 outstanding years of service to RTC!
some really great people. And we’ve had to do some sightseeing—Washington in itself is quite an adventure.”
Onto the Next Chapter Marlyn’s involvement with RTC is just one chapter in his storied life. A U.S. Air Force veteran and retired farmer, Marlyn has lived in the Kenmare area since 1961. He has served on the Parish Council of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Trinity Kenmare Community Hospital board, and the Norma Co-op Elevator Board, of which he was President for several years. He now drives semi for Skar Trucking, LLC. on a part-time basis. He has been married to his beloved wife, LaDonna, for over 65 years, and
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THE RTC
Team Aaron Schenfisch
Alex Quale
Amy Keeling
Andrew Steele
Belden Moberg
Bernie Howell
Bob Blunck
Brenda Brown
Brenda Kok
Brian Deutsch
Brock Lynne
Brooks Goodall
Chad Betz
Chad Talbott
Chance Westgard
Cody Allard
Cory Johnson
UTILITY TECH
OUTSIDE PLANT MANAGER WEST
Craig Talbott
Dan Schilla
Daniel Jarski
Daniel Leppell
Dar Huus
Daryl Johnson
Dave Fransen
Dave Uhlich
UTILITY TECH
CSR II
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II
DATA NETWORK TECH I
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COMBINATION TECH
VIDEO TECH II
COO/ ASST GENERAL MANAGER
MARKETING REP
DATA NETWORK TECH I
CSR I
OUTSIDE PLANT MANAGER EAST
UTILITY TECH
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
UTILITY TECH
CSR I COORDINATOR
DATA NETWORK TECH III COORDINATOR
NETWORK MANAGER
UTILITY TECH
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
COMBINATION TECH
MAPPING TECH
COMBINATION TECH
COMBINATION TECH COORDINATOR
Debbie Hansen
Diana Pokrzywinski Drew Carlson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FIBER SPLICER COORDINATOR
Ed Elkins
Elliott Waldock
Eric Jaeger
Eric Ross
Eric Thompson
Erik Linseth
Erik Rensch
Felicia Jarski
Gena Blunck
Greg Elliot
Greg Korgel
Gretchen Edwards
Haley Deserly
Jamall Wold
James Vaagen
Janice Warner
Jarett Bauer
CSR II COORDINATOR
DATA NETWORK TECH II
CABS SPECIALIST
CSR II
DATA NETWORK TECH I
CSR II - LEAD
COMBINATION TECH LEAD
Jason Bauer
Jason Dupay
DATA NETWORK TECH II
COMBINATION TECH COORDINATOR
Jessie Many Ribs
Joe Zuchara
FIBER SPLICER
COMBINATION TECH
UTILITY TECH
UTILITY TECH
COMBINATION TECH
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
UTILITY TECH
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
CSR II
COMBINATION TECH
Jeff Shobe
Jeremy Zacher
Jerry Brien
John Rodgers
Jon Hansen
Jon Lee
COMBINATION TECH
COMBINATION TECH
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST LEAD UTILITY TECH
UTILITY TECH
FIELD ENGINEER
COORDINATOR
UTILITY TECH
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
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Jordan Schaubert
Joy Braaflat
Joy Ruud
Justine Vedaa
Karen Huber
Keegan Swanson
Kelly Cooper
Ken Ross
Kris Weber
Leslie Nelson
Lisa Schenfisch
Lori Huus
Lori Johnson
Mark Hannesson
Mary Nielsen
Mary Severance
Matt Dupay
Michelle Tweed
Mike Campbell
Monica Bangen
Morgan Bauer
Nathan Lahtinen
Otto Kinn
Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Thunshelle
Payton Two Crow
Remington Bigelow Renee Heller
Rick Hovda
Rodney Bennett
COMBINATION TECH
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
ACCOUNTING SPEC III COORDINATOR
DATA NETWORK TECH I
18
GROUNDS & BUILDING MAINTENANCE TECH
CSR I
COMBINATION TECH
CSR II
COMBINATION TECH
DATA NETWORK TECH I
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
PURCHASING AGENT COORDINATOR
CABLE LOCATOR
CSR II
CABLE LOCATOR
DATA NETWORK TECH I
CUSTODIAN
RIGHT OF WAY SPECIALIST
CABLE LOCATOR
DATA NETWORK TECH I
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
FIELD ENGINEER
CABLE LOCATOR COORDINATOR
CSR II
CSR II
RIGHT OF WAY SPECIALIST
CSR II
CSR II
CABLE LOCATOR
Ron Sanderson
Rona Roggenbuck
Sam Kienholz
Scot Ness
Scott Torgerson
Shane Hart
Shannon Stafslien
Speedy Bruce
Stan Ogletree
Stephanie Hayden
Teresa Elton
Tim Jarski
Tyler Carter
Vanessa Clemmensen Vicki Olson
Wayne Winterberg
Weston Mincer
Will Thelen
CABLE LOCATOR
CEO/GENERAL MANAGER
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I
COMBINATION TECH
CSR II
MARKETING MANAGER
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
COMBINATION TECH
PURCHASING AGENT
UTILITY TECH COORDINATOR
FIBER SPLICER
COMBINATION TECH
COMBINATION TECH
CSR II
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II
CSR II LEAD
CSR II
COMBINATION TECH
19
OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AT COMPETITIVE PRICES. VALUES & PRINCIPLES: Guided by the Cooperative Philosophy Practice Sound Financial Management Focus on the Customer Value and Support Employees Support Our Local Communities