SDN Communications has 17 member-owner companies covering more than 80 percent of South Dakota's geography and reaching into southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and North Dakota. Over the next few months, we'll introduce you to all of the companies. We started with Alliance Communications, Beresford Municipal Telephone Co., Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative and NVC/JVT.
Next up is Kennebec Telephone Co.
Headquarters: Kennebec, South Dakota
Other physical locations: None
Name of CEO/GM and years with company: Matt Collins, 36 years
Other members of executive team: Chris Zirpel, Assistant Manager; Chaz Bowar, Operations Manager; Trusty Mertens, Technical and Network Operations Manager; Christie Collins, Human Resources Manager; and Veronica Gerard, Marketing Manager
Year formed: 1908
Number of employees: 31 full-time and 11 part-time
Website: www.kennebectelephone.com
History: Kennebec Telephone was established in 1905 and was without phones until 1908. At this time, a group of about 10 homesteaders south of town built a telephone line between their houses. In 1952, Lloyd and Delores Johnstone became the owners of the company after selling their cattle. In December 1980, Lloyd Johnstone was killed in a tragic car accident. Delores, his wife, took over the management with a great deal of help from Plant Manager, Rod Bowar. Rod and Donna Bowar purchased Kennebec Telephone in October of 1998 when Delores Johnstone decided to retire. Rod died in August of 2022 and Matt Collins took over as President/Manager.
Services offered: Fiber to the home, broadband internet and landline telephone services.
Square miles in service area: 747
Counties in coverage area: Lyman, Tripp & Mellette counties
Population in coverage area: Approximately 950
Notable towns, cities in coverage area: Kennebec, Presho & surrounding rural areas.
Organizations/charities that Kennebec Telephone Co. supports: Kennebec, Presho, Brule & Jones County fire departments, Lyman School District, Local Churches, Lyman County Ambulance District, Lyman & Brule Booster Clubs, Medicine Creek Golf Course, Lyman-Brule Co 4-H
Other interesting facts about company: Kennebec Telephone has five other business divisions serving central South Dakota: KTC Construction – A construction company that installs underground waterline, cattle waterers, trenching, excavating, backhoeing, directional boring, sprinkler systems and gravel hauling. PowerCom Electric & Communications – A electrical company that does commercial, residential and agricultural wiring. Has offices in Kennebec, Chamberlain and Murdo. TCS (Technology Communications Specialist) – A technology company that installs and maintains security & camera systems, HBPX phone systems, and sensor install & monitoring. Charley’s Welding & Auto Repair – A NAPA Auto Care Repair shop, repairs on all cars, pickups, semis and agricultural equipment. Chamberlain NAPA – A NAPA Auto Parts store
