Garden Valley Technologies Holds 120th Annual Membership Meeting
Garden Valley Technologies (GVT) held its 120th Annual Membership Meeting at the Win-E-Mac School in Erskine on June 3, 2025. A total of 214 members and guests attended the meeting, with others tuning in through our Local Content Channels and website.
Before the meeting, attendees enjoyed live music from WoodPicks, light refreshments, and the opportunity to visit with GVT employees about the Cooperative’s many products and services, including a demo of the GVT WiFi App. Lunch was served following the meeting and was catered by Erickson’s Smokehouse of Fertile, MN.
The meeting officially began at 10:30am with an invocation by Pastor Pam Thorson of Grace Lutheran Church, the Presentation of Colors by Erskine American Legion Post 596, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary Allen Paulson confirmed a quorum was present, reviewed the Official Notice of Meeting, and presented the minutes from the 2024 Annual Meeting for member approval. The business session that followed included updates from President Arlene Novak, Treasurer Lee Hoaas, and CEO/General Manager Tim Brinkman. Together, they provided an overview of GVT’s financial health, strategic direction, and key initiatives.
Topics included GVT’s continued financial strength, progress on the latest Border-to-Border Broadband Grant project, and the Cooperative’s expanded focus on cybersecurity, highlighting the addition of ProtectIQ to our Managed Wi-Fi service. Members also received updates on GVT’s strategic investment in Magnifi Broadband, which supports long-term growth and furthers GVT’s mission of serving rural communities. Additionally, the session addressed the ongoing legal challenges facing the Universal Service Fund (USF), which remains essential in keeping broadband affordable in high-cost rural areas.
A special cybersecurity presentation was delivered by guest speaker Marshall McKeever, Senior Business IT Account Technician at GVT, who shared practical tips to help members stay safe online.
Director elections for Districts 1, 4, and 7 were uncontested. Incumbent Directors Byron Ness (District 1 – Beltrami, Fertile, Maple Bay exchanges), Jim Ferden (District 4 – McIntosh, Oklee, Winger exchanges), and Allen Paulson (District 7 – Bagley, Minerva, Shevlin exchanges) were each declared elected by acclamation and will serve new three-year terms.
Attendees received a GVT-branded lantern and were entered into a drawing for several door prizes. The grand prize, a $150 GVT bill credit was drawn from the full membership and awarded to Elizabeth Baker of Thief River Falls.
GRAND PRIZE: $150 GVT Bill Credit: Elizabeth Baker
Sleep headphones: Norma Sturgeon
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Olsen Thielen): Viola Bruggeman
Rain gauge: Joanne Yuergens
Flower Planter: Deborah Zak
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Innovative Systems): Karen Kappedal
Birdie Safety Alarm: Lynda Sevald
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Olsen Thielen): Elizabeth Houghtaling
JBL Go 4 Speaker: Ronald Juve
Apple Air Tag: Barb Novak
Fitbit Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker: Gerald Shaver
Mountain Voyage RFID Wallet: Shirley Dessellier
GVT Stream Basket: Marvin Neste
Yeti wine tumbler (Pemberton Law): Joyce Sultvedt
GVT Yeti: Daniel Schmitz
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Olsen Thielen): Terrance L Schmitz
GVT Speaker: Wendel Hanson
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Innovative Systems): Charity Salmonson
Frameo Digital Picture Frame: Lois Remick
GVT Charging pad: Bruce Eskeli
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Olsen Thielen): Mike Weik
Yeti Tumbler and blanket (Pemberton Law): Vincent Lundeen
Wireless Power Bank: Sue Kronschnabel
Tile Sticker Tracker (2 pack): Roberta Otting
$50 Amazon Gift Card (Pinnacle Marketing Group): Lawrence Panek
$50 Ness Café Gift Card (CNS): Gregory Hallstrom
$50 The Deuce Gift Card (CNS): Gorde Olness
$100 Bill Credit (Calix): Shirley Gunderson
$100 GVT Gift Certificate (Calix): Carol Kvasager
$100 GVT Gift Certificate (Calix): Mary Iverson
Kids Prizes:
Robot Stem Kit: Adeline Frisk
Fidget: Finn Frisk
Mech 5, Mechanical Coding Robot: Alanna Willis
