![]() SDN is owned by 17 South Dakota independent broadband companies – cooperatives, family, municipal, and tribal-owned companies. Subsequently, SDN has become a leader in broadband connectivity and network security services to businesses in the region. The independent telephone companies of South Dakota formed SDN Communications in 1989 to provide better long-distance options to their customers. Together, SDN and its 17 owner-members operate a 50,000-mile fiber network that reaches into eight states, including South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Ryan Thompson, Santel Communications (Woonsocket, SD).Ross Petrick, Alliance Communications (Garretson, SD).Colle Nash, West River Cooperative Telephone Company (Bison, SD).Steve Meyer, Swiftel Communications (Brookings, SD).Rod Bowar, Kennebec Telephone (Kennebec, SD).Mark Benton, Midstate Communications (Kimball, SD).Randy Houdek, general manager at Venture Communications (Highmore, SD), will continue serving as secretary/treasurer and is the longest-serving member of the board at 22 years. Roth is the general manager and CEO of TrioTel Communications (Salem, SD) and Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. Vice President Bryan Roth has been a member of the board for 21 years. Law is the general manager and CEO of Golden West Telecommunications (Wall, SD) and has been a dedicated member of the board for 11 years. Each member maintained their position on the board.ĭenny Law will serve as board president for his second consecutive year. The Board of Managers, which governs SDN Communications, was elected during its recent annual meeting. ![]() The long-standing leaders of SDN’s member companies have been making a difference across South Dakota and at SDN for decades. To date, 2020 has resulted in 295 businesses and 3,700 households receiving internet connectivity. In 2019, over 100 businesses and approximately 4,800 residents gained access to broadband internet. Combined with their investment, South Dakota’s independent broadband providers are closing gaps in connectivity that have left some rural areas of the state unserved or underserved. The Connect South Dakota grant program has awarded more than $11 million to 12 of SDN’s member companies over the past two years. The spread of COVID-19 proved the importance of having access to reliable connectivity as workplaces shifted to work-from-home environments and schools moved to online instruction. Its nine-member Board of Managers has played an integral part in improving communities in South Dakota amid a global pandemic.
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