For the past 51 years, there’s been one consistent presence at TrioTel Communications: Tom Hueners.
Hueners, 88, has been a member of the TrioTel Board of Directors since 1973, taking over the position from his father before him. He is officially retiring this week, leaving behind an impressive legacy of humble leadership.
“He’s a strong leader with a gentle voice,” Heather Kranz, TrioTel General Manager, said. “He’s so loved by all of us at TrioTel and by the community. He will be missed.”
It’s nearly impossible to write about TrioTel without acknowledging the Hueners family. Tom’s father, John (who was referred to as John D.), was a key figure in the early years of what would become TrioTel. John served on the board of what was then McCook Cooperative Telephone Company from 1954 to 1973.
When he died in 1973, the Board of Directors appointed Tom to take over his father’s position.
“I didn’t know if I really had what it took,” he said modestly. But he accepted the position and never looked back.
TrioTel's membership was 'No. 1' to Hueners
TrioTel began in 1951 as McCook Cooperative Telephone Company in Salem. The company covered the communities of Canova, Center, Spencer and Winfred. Over the years, other companies were acquired and in 2010, all were merged into what is now known as TrioTel.
TrioTel provides services to approximately 2,000 members in Alexandria, Canova, Center, Clayton, Emery, Fulton, Rural Lake County, Salem, Spencer and Winfred. In 2013, it became the first telephone company in the state to provide fiber-optic connection to 100% of its subscribers. Today, it features more than 1,000 miles of fiber-optic cable running through its service areas.
And throughout all of this history, Hueners was at the table, helping guide the company.
“With Tom, it was always about the membership. That was always the most important thing to him,” Kranz said. “They were No. 1 to him.”
Kranz recalls that in 2013, TrioTel became the first telecommunications company in the state to provide fiber to homes.
“He was the one behind that,” she said of Hueners. That advancement was made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“He’s been so influential in the changes and the successes that we’ve had at our co-op,” she said. “He’s just been a great asset to our cooperative and membership.”
Hueners also led the decision for TrioTel to become a member company of SDN Communications in 1988, Kranz said.
The Hueners family came up with TrioTel's name
Hueners, who farmed the homestead his grandparents founded in 1906 near Salem and served as a rural mail carrier for 37 years, is even responsible for naming the company TrioTel in 2010.
In July of 1999, with the launch of dial-up internet, Coop employees, management and directors were trying to create a name they they could use to market the new service, Kranz said. At the time, members were going through other providers to receive internet and the Coop knew that something catchy and clever would be needed in order to promote and gain internet subscribers.
Kranz said Hueners focused on the three services the company would now be offering (cable TV, telephone and internet) and ran with it.
Tom thought that adding Internet service to the existing options of telephone and cable TV would create a well-rounded “trio” of offerings to our members. So the name TrioTel was born. Then when McCook merged subsidiaries into the Cooperative on January 1st, 2010, the named changed from McCook Cooperative Telephone Company to TrioTel Communications, Inc. This was to help ensure the equality of all Coop members, since the service area extended well beyond McCook County.
“My wife, Karen, and I were talking about it. Back then, we were new with internet and television. I think it was a suggestion we came up with at the time,” he said.
Hueners has seen massive changes to the technology that drives the telecommunications industry. He said the biggest advancement, in his opinion, was the introduction of underground fiber. It’s a stunning advancement considering that the internet wasn’t yet a thing when Hueners joined the board. “It’s mind-boggling the changes I’ve seen.”
From the start of his time on the board, Hueners said one of the greatest joys has been getting to know the people in the industry.
“I’ve met so many nice people. So many friends and I’ve had great experiences that I never would have had otherwise,” he said.
He recalls attending a telecommunications conference in California where Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash performed. Those experiences and the relationships he’s built with people in the industry have left an indelible mark.
“I’ve enjoyed it and I've met so many nice people over the years who never would have been part of my life if not for the board," he said. "… For a country hick, it’s been eye opening to see how the rest of the world works.”
TrioTel Communications in 'good hands'
Hueners said the time is right for his retirement, and he’s excited about the future of the company.
“I think it’s in good hands,” he said. “I’m really impressed with the people we have. The Lord looked out for us, and we got good people there.”
Kranz said it will be strange not to have a Hueners presence on the board.
“The Hueners have been on our board all but three years of our existence,” she said.
She said she’s grateful for the 51 years that Tom has given to the community and co-op, and so is the cooperative community. In 2013, he was inducted into the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame for his years of service.
“The history that Tom has brought … You could say, ‘Tom, what did we do 30 years go?’ and he would tell you. It was important to have the historical context,” she said. “We’re grateful for all he’s done for TrioTel, and we wish him the very best retirement.”
