More than 270 persons, including 215 registered members, were in attendance at the 113th annual membership meeting of Garden Valley Telephone Company d/b/a Garden Valley Technologies held at the Win-E-Mac School auditorium near Erskine on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.
As members registered and received their attendance gift, entertainment was provided by “Caleigh” a northern Minnesota band. Members and guests were also treated to coffee and donuts prior to calling the business meeting to order. A resolution to amend Article III, Section 1 of the By-Laws was voted on and passed. The business meeting included reports from President Jerry Freitag, Treasurer Jim Ferden and CEO/General Manager Tim Brinkman. Corporate Counsel Chuck Fitzgerald reviewed By-Laws information relating to director qualification and voting; and the election of directors for Districts 3, 6 and 9 was held. Retiring District 6 Director Vernon Hamnes and retiring District 9 Director Ronald Engelstad were recognized for their many years of service on the board of directors. Garden Valley employees were also on hand to answer questions about the cooperative’s products and services. Prizes were awarded and lunch was served following adjournment of the meeting. The winner of the adult grand prize, $250 gift certificate to Garden Valley Technologies, was Charlie Kiesow, of Goodridge, and winning the children’s drawing for a 24” bicycle was Joe Phillips, of Bagley. (list of winners can be viewed HERE.)
Directors Elected to Board
Larry Djernes of Clearbrook was elected to fill the 3-year term as director for District 6 (Clearbrook, Gonvick & Leonard exchanges), and Ron Kiesow of Goodridge was elected to fill the 3-year term as Garden Valley’s director for District 9 (Gatzke, Goodridge, Grygla and rural Thief River Falls exchanges). Incumbent Director Arlene Novak of St. Hilaire was re-elected to serve the 3-year term as Garden Valley’s director for District 3 (Red Lake Falls & St. Hilaire exchanges).
Board Names Corporate Officers
Following the June 5th annual meeting, Garden Valley’s board of directors re-elected the following directors to serve as officers of the cooperative:
PRESIDENT SECRETARY
Jerry Freitag Arlene Novak
VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER
Byron Ness Jim Ferden
