RTC 2019 Annual Report Booklet

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