Join us for our 66th Annual Meeting!
The sixty-sixth Annual Meeting of Members of Triangle Telephone Cooperative Association, Inc. of Havre, Montana will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the SUB-Ballroom on the campus of Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Montana to take action on the following matters:
In accordance with the bylaws, the nominating committee, composed of Cooperative members, has nominated the following individuals as candidates for the position of trustee of Triangle Telephone Cooperative Association, Inc.:
District 1 Doug Lowry
District 2 Elizabeth Werk
District 6 Dave Schwarzbach
Connie Kissner
Nathan Simons
Julie Snellman
The name or names on this notice indicates the name in which the membership is carried. Voting must be done by the member, or in the case of a joint membership, by only one of the joint members. No member shall attend or vote by proxy or by mail.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Union Building of Montana State University-Northern and lunch will begin after the meeting. Prizes will be awarded.
View the 66th Annual Meeting Notice Book
Hope to see you there!
Nominee Letters
ELIZABETH WERK, DISTRICT #2
Elizabeth “Liz” Werk lives on a ranch south of Hays, Montana. Her husband Toby Werk and children Franky, Aubri, and Tilli own and manage a small business on their ranch, Blue Heaven Guest Ranch. Liz and Toby raise cows and horses while welcoming guests from around the world. Guests embrace the Native American culture and Western lifestyle by enjoying an adventurous hunt, touring historical/cultural sites, or participating in a local event. She also currently works for Montana State University Extension Service as the Agriculture Agent on Fort Belknap Reservation. She has been with MSU Extension for 9 years. Previously, she worked at Hays/Lodge Pole Elementary and Mission Grade
School. She received her BA in Human Development from University of California, Davis then went on to earn her Masters in Education: Learning Development from MSU-Northern. Liz is actively involved in her community. She understands the important role technology plays in breaking down boundaries to generate rural development and strengthen educational systems.
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DAVE SCHWARZBACH, DISTRICT #6
Dear fellow cooperative members, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the newest member of the Triangle Communications Board. I am humbled and grateful to the nominating committee for again selecting me to run for a board position.
I was born and raised in the Havre area. My entire adult life has been devoted to some aspect of our cooperative. I began working for Hill County Electric in August of 1970 and served until my retirement in November of 2014. I worked 7 years on the electric crew and over 37 years as the serviceman in the Big Sandy area. I believe my experience as an employee of the cooperative as well as a customer gives me a unique perspective as a board member.
I am a strong believer in giving back to the community. I have been a member of the Big Sandy Volunteer Fire and Ambulance department for 39 years and am currently serving as the president. I have also taught Hunter’s Safety for 18 years and have been a member of the Big Sandy Booster Club for over 30 years. I have also been a Bear Paw Sportsman member for over 40 years and have helped the Big Sandy Rotary Club for over 25 years with the installment of Christmas Decorations.
It has been a pleasure working with the present board and I look forward to the future of our cooperative as we take on the challenges of keeping up with the changes in technology and communications.
Thank you,
Dave Schwarzbach
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CONNIE KISSNER, DISTRICT #6
I would like to thank the nominating committee for considering me for a Trustee position on the Triangle Communication Board for District 6.
My name is Connie Jergesen Kissner and I grew up in Harlem and moved to Chinook in 1979. Currently I am an office manager, salesperson, and title clerk at Triple T Sales in Chinook, specializing in Hydrabed Bale Handlers and trailer sales, and have been here since March of 2000. From September 1979 to 2000, I was employed at Chinook Veterinary Clinic as an assistant and receptionist. I took a two year hiatus from 1984-1985 when I had the opportunity to travel the country as a Phone Room Manager for one year, then came back to work at Tilleman Appliance in Havre for one year before returning to the clinic.
Being a lifetime Blaine County resident, I realize how important it is for rural areas to have dependable communication in our social, professional, and business lives. Technology has made it possible to access anything in the world and provides more new opportunities for rural areas. Our Board of Trustees has done a spectacular job of keeping up with technology and service, and I would like the opportunity to contribute and continue their experience and success.
I believe developing a strong working relationship with customers is the key to achieving our goals as a co-op and it would be an honor and a privilege to serve the Triangle members, employees and the board as your trustee.
Thank you,
Connie Kissner
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NATHAN SIMONS, DISTRICT #6
My name is Nathan Simons. I am currently farming and ranching in the Turner area. I am married to Billie Jo, son Hudson 8 and daughter Mary 6 years old. I graduated Turner High School in 1996 and Montana State Bozeman in 2000 with a BA degree in Business Finance. After college I spent some years in the Seattle area before moving back to Havre to work for Independence Bank, to work as a financial consultant in 2002. In 2005, I moved to Malta. I was an AG commercial lender and then became the branch manager at Independence Bank Malta branch. I was involved in various community events, including the Malta chamber president for a couple years. In 2012, we were able to lease some farm ground and decided to jump on the opportunity to become fulltime farmers and ranchers and continue to do so to this day. I realize the importance of the COOP in our rural communities and look forward to representing Triangle Communications.
Thank you,
Nathan Simons
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JULIE SNELLMAN, DISTRICT #6
Greetings,
I’m Julie Snellman, a Mother, Wife and graduate of Montana State University, currently serving as the Owner and Operator of Art’s Furniture and Carpet in Malta, Montana. Prior to this role, way back in 2006, I opened my first business, Sweet Things and Espresso, which paved the way for me to increase my passion for business ownership. Today, I use this and my other past positions in my roles as Owner and Operator to Art’s Furniture and Carpet. The company was originally founded by my parents, Art and Mary Lundstrom, in 1977. Back then it was known to our local residents and neighbors as Art’s Furniture and Music. For 40 years it has remained open and thriving in our community, and in 2016, my husband Jason and I, purchased it after our children entered kindergarten. Shifting my focus from primarily being a stay at home mom to that of a business owner, I haven’t ceased in my mission to bring in the same amount of success and customer service that our family business was known for. Whether it is with customer relations, sales, bookkeeping, inventory or employee management, I love what I do!
Along with managing our business, I serve as a member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce since 2016. In 2017, I became one of the Chamber’s Directors, before then beginning my term as its Merchants Committee President. Alongside these memberships, and with hopes of growing my personal and professional skills with the support of my local peers, I was also a part of the Rotary International- Whitehall Chapter (secretary and treasurer) and Phillips County Health Care Foundation (secretary). No matter the organization I am serving with, it is always an honor being a part of bringing more value to my community as we grow stronger and prouder everyday! I am a Malta, Montana native who is familiar with the Hi-Line and Central Montana. If chosen for the position on the Triangle board I am most excited about learning more about the communities served by Triangle and how those communities utilize the many programs and services Triangle has to offer.
Thank you,
Julie Snellman
