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SDN Communications Board of Managers elects officers and a new member

2026 SDN Communications Board of Managers and SDN Communications CEO, Ryan Punt. Left to Right: Ryan Punt, Ryan Thompson, Nick Rogness, Chad Mutziger, Tracy Bandemer, Fay Jandreau, Ross Petrick, Eric Kahler, Steve Meyer and Heather Kranz

The SDN Communications Board of Managers elected its leadership and added a new member at its recent annual meeting. The nine members on the Board of Managers oversee SDN Communications, which is owned by 17 rural broadband companies serving more than 90% of South Dakota’s geography.

Ross Petrick, General Manager and CEO of Alliance Communications, based out of Garretson, was re-elected as board President. He has served on the board since 2016.

Tracy Bandemer, General Manager and CEO of Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative (ITC), was re-elected Vice President. ITC is based out of Clear Lake, and she has served on the board since 2021.

Chad Mutziger, General Manager and CEO of Midstate Communications, based out of Kimball, was re-elected Secretary/Treasurer. He has served on the board since 2022.

The board also welcomed Eric Kahler, General Manager and CEO of West River Coop Telephone Company in Bison, SD.

Eric Kahler, General Manager and CEO of West River Cooperative Telephone Company, elected as new Board Member for 2026.

Other board members are:

  • Fay Jandreau, Venture Communications (Highmore, SD)
  • Heather Kranz, TrioTel Communications (Salem, SD)
  • Steve Meyer, Swiftel (Brookings, SD)
  • Nick Rogness, Golden West Telecommunications (Wall, SD)
  • Ryan Thompson, Santel Communications (Woonsocket, SD)

SDN Communications interconnects all 17 member companies, creating an advanced fiber-optic network of more than 50,000 miles that spans eight states: South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Together, SDN and its member companies serve businesses with managed services and reliable connectivity.

Posted: July 30, 2026
Topic: Member Companies and General
Type: News Releases
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