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October 29, 2019 In CTC News, Partnerships

MLEC Awarded Community Connect Grant

Brainerd, MN – Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) will once again partner with Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) on the construction of a Fiber-to-the-Home project and to expand the area’s fiber internet network. The broadband project will be funded, in part, by a $1.9 million grant from USDA’s Community Connect program.

Affected areas will include portions of Rice River Township and Spaulding Township in rural Aitkin County. Tribal land and facilities owned and operated by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in the East Lake Community are also included in the project.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with MLEC on another project”, said Joe Buttweiler, Director of Business Development at CTC. “This expansion will help rural students, families, entrepreneurs, farmers, and business owners live more productive and connected lives.”

Construction will begin in the spring of 2020. Homes and businesses within the area can contact MLEC at 218-429-0433 to inquire about services or visit www.mlecmn.net/internet.

For more information contact:

Kelly Burns, Marketing Lead
218-454-1149, kburns@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.

October 29, 2019 In CTC News

Larson to Receive NTCA’s Special Achievement Award

Brainerd, MN – At the employee meeting on Tuesday, October 22, Chad Larson wasn’t expecting his family and friends to walk through the doors of the CTC garage. In fact, when Kristi Westbrock, CTC’s CEO and General Manager, started talking about a special award, he didn’t think she was referring to him. But she most definitely was.

“As our Sales Engineer, Chad does an exceptional job of helping businesses find the best solutions to meet their needs,” said Westbrock. “But outside of work he really goes above and beyond.”

Larson was selected as the recipient of the Special Achievement Award at the NTCA 2019 Fall Conference in Denver, Colorado. NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, represents over 850 community-based telecommunications companies throughout the nation.

Chad was nominated by his coworker and friend, Eryk Haapajoki, for the countless hours he’s spent supporting the Ronald McDonald House Motorcycle Rally over the past 11 years. Held in New York Mills, the annual event raises money to support the 900+ families that use the Ronald McDonald House’s services in Fargo each year.

As a motorcycle enthusiast, Chad first got involved in the event as a participant. Then the event founder – his best friend’s dad – roped him into being a road guard. When he heard from families affected by the Ronald McDonald house… “it was all downhill from there.”

Six years of road guarding led to joining the planning committee. From there he served as a board member, vice president, and most recently as president for the past five years. As his wife Dawn said, “his helpful nature took over and allowed him to take on bigger and bigger roles and responsibilities!”

Each year the 30-member committee secures over 100 volunteers to run the event and their fundraising speaks volumes. Community support has generated over $1.7 MILLION for the Ronald McDonald House in the past 17 years!!

In addition to Larson’s family and friends, Diane Lee from the Rally committee, and Jill Christopher and Erica Johnsrud from Ronald McDonald House, joined in the surprise.

Chad, and his wife, Dawn, will be attending the 2020 NTCA Rural Telecom Industry Meeting and Expo (RTIME), February 16-19 in Phoenix, Arizona to be recognized and formally accept the award.

For more information contact:

Andy Isackson, Director of Member Operations
218-454-1205

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.

June 6, 2018 In CTC News

CTC Board of Directors Appoints Westbrock as CEO/General Manager

The Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) Board of Directors unanimously elected Kristi Westbrock as Chief Executive Officer/General Manager. Westbrock succeeds CTC’s current CEO/General Manager Kevin Larson who announced his retirement from CTC at the company’s Annual Meeting on June 6, 2018. Kevin’s retirement date from the CEO position at CTC will be June 30, 2018.

“The CTC Board of Directors is delighted that Kristi has accepted the CEO/General Manager position. We are confident that Kristi will continue to move our Cooperative forward with the best interest of our members in mind,” states Morris Nelson, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. “We also thank Kevin for his dedication and commitment to the Cooperative for the past 17 years. Kevin has many accomplishments over his tenure, including leading the fiber to the home project to our original ten service areas.”

Westbrock currently is CTC’s COO/Assistant General Manager and has been with CTC since 2007. “I am confident in Kristi’s abilities and excited for the future of our Cooperative,” states Larson. “We are very fortunate to have someone as talented and thoughtful as Kristi to step into this position.”

“I want to thank the Board of Directors and Kevin for their leadership and for this opportunity,” comments Westbrock. “Serving the membership of CTC as the CEO is an honor. CTC is progressive in technology while serving the needs of rural America. This matches our aspirations at CTC of keeping our small towns vibrant, our farmers connected, our education systems advancing, and our infrastructure strong.”

Westbrock is a native of Browns Valley, MN. She has been employed with CTC for 10 years and has 21 total years of telecommunications experience. Westbrock currently serves as a national Trustee for the Group Health Plan of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, a Trustee for the Initiative Foundation and the Past-Chair of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

February 20, 2018 In CTC News

CTC Board of Directors Elections

CTC is accepting applications from members that are interested in joining the CTC Board of Directors for Director District 3 – Mission, Outing or Director District 4 – Leader, Motley, Pillager, Staples.

Interested individuals must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a member in good standing and subscribe to CTC telephone service.
  • Reside within District 3 or District 4 service territory.
  • Have the skills, interest and time to devote to overseeing CTC business.
  • Attend 12 monthly meetings, plus other industry assemblies and training.

Members of the CTC Board of Directors are responsible for representing the Cooperative membership and for developing strategies, policies and objectives for the Cooperative.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for District 3 or District 4 should contact our office at 218-454-1120 for an application.

Applications must be received by March 8, 2018.

September 11, 2017 In CTC News

Board of Director Applications are Now Available

Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) is accepting applications from members that are interested in joining the CTC Board of Directors for a vacant Director position in District 3- Mission/Outing.

Interested individuals must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a member in good standing and subscribe to CTC telephone service.
  • Reside within the Mission (765) or Outing (792) service territory.
  • Have the skills, interest and time to devote to overseeing CTC business.
  • Attend 12 monthly meetings, plus other industry assemblies and training.
  • Background check required.

Members of the CTC Board of Directors are responsible for representing the Cooperative membership and for developing strategies, policies and objectives for the Cooperative.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for District 3 should contact our office at 218-454-1120 for an application.

Applications must be received by September 28, 2017.

July 26, 2017 In CTC News

Phone Scams

There have been recent calls from phone scammers calling people in the area stating they are with CTC (or your local energy company), these scammers tell people that they have a past due bill and they will turn off your services immediately if they don’t receive a credit card payment immediately over the phone. These are very well planned scams and they are prepared to answer your questions.

CTC would never demand a credit card over the phone and turn your services off immediately if you don’t pay. If you receive a similar call please do not give them any information, rather hang up and call into CTC at 218-454-1234 and we can verify your account for you.

 

Thank you

February 15, 2017 In CTC News

CTC Board of Directors Elections

Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) is accepting applications from members that are interested in joining the CTC Board of Directors for Director District 1 – Lincoln, Randall, Little Falls or Director District 4 – Leader, Motley, Pillager, Staples.

Interested individuals must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a member in good standing and subscribe to CTC telephone service.
  • Reside within District 1 or District 4 service territory.
  • Have the skills, interest and time to devote to overseeing CTC business.
  • Attend 12 monthly meetings, plus other industry assemblies and training.

 
Members of the CTC Board of Directors are responsible for representing the Cooperative membership and for developing strategies, policies and objectives for the Cooperative.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for District 1 or District 4 should print and mail the following application:

2017 CTC Board Application

Mail the application to:

CTC
1102 Madison Street
P.O. Box 972
Brainerd, MN 56401

Applications must be received by March 8, 2017.

November 11, 2016 In CTC News

CTC Signs Management Agreement with Lake County

Brainerd, MN – November 7, 2016 – Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) announced a partnership with Lake County for the management of Lake Connections.

CTC who operates their own fiber optic network in the Brainerd Lakes Area has also worked with other rural telecommunication companies with the management and implementation of their networks.

“Lake Connections has a great network which offers so much value to the businesses and residents in the community. We look forward to working with Lake Connections on expanding their network and services. As a rural provider for 66 years, we have expansive knowledge and experience on our team and we feel we’re a great compliment to Lake Connections and their employees,” Stated Kevin Larson, CEO/General Manager of CTC.

“Our main objective is to get as many customers hooked up to fiber optics as quick as we can” states Joe Buttweiler, Partnership Development Manager at CTC. “We feel getting customers connected to High Speed Internet in the area is a priority for us.”

CTC will work with Lake Connections on Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Technical and Operations Management of the company.

November 7, 2016 In CTC News

CTC to Deliver High Speed Internet to Long Prairie

Brainerd, MN – November 7, 2016 – Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) recently reached an agreement with the City of Long Prairie to construct a fiber optic network to businesses and homes in the area, which will deliver Internet speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000 Mbps).

“We’re really excited about this opportunity” states Joe Buttweiler of CTC. “CTC has a long history of building fiber optic networks to rural communities in need of High Speed Internet services. Not only will residents and businesses benefit from the service, it will also help drive economic development in the area.”

CTC will begin construction spring of 2017, with many homes and businesses getting hooked up with service by the end of the year. The City of Long Prairie will bond to finance the network, with CTC leasing the network from the City.

In addition to offering High Speed Internet, CTC will also be offering residents phone services and business phone services including hosted phone systems and special access circuits.