Fiber Gaming Network Launched at CTC

BAXTER, MN – CTC has officially launched the capability for internet subscribers to enjoy free online gaming tournaments, after recently partnering with Fiber Gaming Network.

Subscribers can access free eSports tournaments and connect with other gamers on the Discord platform. Subscribers can also play popular games such as Fortnite, Rocket League, The Show23, Halo Infinite, Super Smash Bros, Minecraft, and more.

As an added bonus, moderators are present during live-stream gaming to prevent any potential cyberbullying, inappropriate behavior, or spammers and to ensure the players adhere to the game’s rules.

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Rosenwald Promoted at CTC

BAXTER, MN – Ryan Rosenwald has recently been promoted to the position of Director of Sales at Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC).

Rosenwald joined CTC in 2004 as a Network Analyst and has since held positions such as Sales Manager, Technology Manager, and Technology Services Manager. In these previous roles, he has consulted with area businesses on setting up and maintaining their corporate network infrastructures. He also has been responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of CTC’s voice, video, and data networks. Rosenwald graduated with a Bachelor of Arts: Secondary Education in Social Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College.

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Lakes Jam and CTC Celebrate a Ten-Year Partnership

Lakes Jam is a 4-day concert event, held each June—at the iconic Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), in Brainerd, Minnesota. During these 4 days, concertgoers can see a variety of different acts and bands of both rock and country genres. Music has been proven repeatedly, that it brings people together. Music allows us to connect – whether that be singing and dancing along to the songs, feeling the rhythm and beats, and creates social connections of being in the same place, at the same time, experiencing the moment with others.

Music is all about connecting community-and so is Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC). As Lakes Jam celebrates their 10th anniversary, CTC celebrates being a proud partner of this event for 10 years as well. CTC is known for its tagline, “Connecting the Community”. This is why CTC continues to support the partnership.

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Star Tribune Names CTC a 2023 Top 200 Workplace

Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) recently has been named one of the top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by Star Tribune.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Rankings were compiled purely based on employee responses.

Over 5,000 companies were invited to participate. The rankings were based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

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Casper Joins CTC as Director of Marketing and Community Engagement

Baxter, MN- Jill Casper recently joined Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) as the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement.

Casper started at CTC on May 1, 2023, after dedicating 17 years at Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, as the Vice President of Community Engagement. Casper received her undergraduate degree in Organizational Behavior from the College of St. Scholastica, and received her master’s degree in Management and Leadership at Concordia University.

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Heittola Promoted at CTC

Baxter, MN- Lisa Heittola has recently been promoted to the position of Director of Human Resources at Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC).

Heittola joined CTC in 2003 as the Administrative and Sales Assistant and has since held positions as a Customer Service Assistant, Customer Sales and Service Representative, HR Associate, HR Generalist, and HR/Office Manager.

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CTC Executive Team Promotions

BAXTER, MN – Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) recently announced the promotions of Jason Atwater, Andy Isackson, and Joe Buttweiler.

“Today we sit at the brink of tremendous opportunities,” said Kristi Westbrock, CEO/General Manager of CTC. “Whether it’s with our electric partners, tribal partners, municipal entities, state and federal programs and national vendors, the opportunities for growth are aligned for us. Through our cooperative’s growth, we will continue to live up to the intent of our mission and vision in the communities we serve.”

Jason Atwater was promoted to CTC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Atwater will manage and handle the daily business operations of the company, working closely with department heads and supervisors to ensure the company’s vision and strategy are executed with precision and success. Jason has worked at CTC for 24 years, having been hired as a lineman in 1998.

Andy Isackson was promoted to CTC’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Isackson is now responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and execution of CTC’s marketing, public relations, and advertising initiatives. As CMO, he will ensure the success of the company’s growth, performance, and overall community influence and reputation. Andy began his career at CTC in 2006 as a Marketing and Communications Specialist.

Joe Buttweiler was promoted to CTC’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Buttweiler will work with the CEO and leadership team to develop and execute comprehensive strategic plans, highlighting opportunities outside of the cooperative’s core initiatives. Joe started his work with CTC while building Arrowhead Electric Cooperative’s fiber internet network and then became an employee of CTC in 2015 as the Partnership Development Manager.


For more information contact:

Kristi Westbrock, CEO/General Manager
218-454-1234, kristi@goctc.com

CTC is a technology advisor and full-service telecommunications company based in Brainerd, MN. Formed in 1952, CTC has grown into a complete communications provider offering telephone, high-speed internet, digital television, and IT services to businesses and individuals throughout central and northern Minnesota. More information about CTC can be found at www.goctc.com.

CTC Receives DEED Award to Expand Broadband Internet

Brainerd, MN – On Thursday, December 8 the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that they have awarded over $99 million through their Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program. The 61 projects that were awarded throughout the state will be matched by nearly $152 million in local funds, for a total investment of over $251 million.

The funding, which was approved during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions, will be used by broadband providers to build out infrastructure and provide services to unserved and underserved locations. This round of funding will provide internet access to over 33,000 businesses, homes, and community institutions across the state.

Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) was one of the grant recipients, receiving $4,857,030 in funding. This will be combined with an equal amount in matching funds from CTC, Cass County, City of Cloquet, City of Rice Lake, Gnesen Township, and Sylvan Township. When successfully completed, the nearly $10 million project will provide internet services – with speeds of up to 1Gig – to over 1,800 homes and businesses in portions of St. Louis, Carlton, and Cass counties.

“We’re incredibly excited about this award and the partnership that it represents,” said Kristi Westbrock, CEO and General Manager at CTC. “This project will be instrumental for families and businesses as well as for future economic growth in these communities. We look forward to providing everyone with fast, reliable internet and top-notch local customer service for years to come.”

Once complete, the project will allow rural residents to work from home, safely stay in their homes longer, and increase communication options for area businesses and residents… all while boosting economic development to the area. Broadband will bring enhanced employment opportunities and educational experiences to the thousands of rural residents that call this area home.

Created in 2014, the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program provides state resources that help make the financial case for new and existing providers to invest in building broadband infrastructure into unserved and underserved areas of the state. Grants were awarded through a competitive application process. More information about the program is available at https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/grant-program/.


For more information contact:

Joe Buttweiler, Director of Business Development
218-454-1275, joe@goctc.com

CTC is a technology advisor and full-service telecommunications cooperative based in Brainerd, MN. Formed in 1952, CTC has grown into a complete communications provider offering telephone, high-speed internet, digital television, and IT services to businesses and individuals throughout central and northern Minnesota. More information about CTC can be found at www.goctc.com.

CTC Representatives Visit the White House

BRAINERD, MN – Two staff members from Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) attended the Talent Pipeline Challenge Expo at The White House in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

Kristi Westbrock, CEO/General Manager and Jeremy Przybilla, Member Services Technician from CTC joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to share information about jobs in the broadband industry and to demonstrate how fiber strands are properly handled, spliced, and tested.

The Talent Pipeline was introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration in mid-June and is a nationwide call to action for employers, education/training providers, and other entities to support workforce development in critical infrastructure sectors like broadband. The Expo highlighted the careers that will be impacted and created because of the federal government’s $65 billion investment in broadband via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law in November 2021.

The funding will support the build-out of critical broadband infrastructure and offer programs to make internet access more affordable for families. These activities will also create thousands of new jobs in the broadband industry.

As part of this effort, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association announced a new partnership with CWA, Northwood Technical College (based in northern Wisconsin), and the National Rural Education Association to create training, apprenticeship, and education opportunities for rural America’s broadband workforce and K-12 students.

“We were honored to be a part of this amazing event,” said Westbrock. “This is a historic moment in time for our industry. The future looks very bright for our workforce. Now it’s time to find and train them.”

Westbrock is also a member of the Federal Communication Commission’s Telecommunications Interagency Working Group, a one-year committee that’s been charged with developing recommendations that address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry.



For more information contact:

Andy Isackson, Director of Member Operations
218-454-1205, andy@goctc.com

CTC is a technology advisor and full-service telecommunications company based in Brainerd, MN. Formed in 1952, CTC has grown into a complete communications provider offering telephone, high-speed internet, digital television, and IT services to businesses and individuals throughout central and northern Minnesota. More information about CTC can be found at www.goctc.com.