For the past 50 years, NISC marketing and industry personnel have been driving down I-94 through Montana. About 150 miles from the North Dakota border is a small town by the name of Forsyth. A rugged Montana town sustained by local farming and ranching. It's a part of Montana where miles upon miles separate farms and ranches. A part of the country where broadband and telecommunications services are vital and literally the critical link between those hearty Montana souls and the rest of the world. 

It is a harsh and many times hostile part of the country. Harsh winters, unrelenting heat in the summer, certainly not an easy part of the country to serve an isolated membership with state-of-the-art telecommunication and broadband services. 

As you travel down this sparsely populated Main Street, there is a bright spot. A vibrant business a pillar of the community a critical link from this part of the country to the rest of the world. A resilient bridge across the technology divide in rural America. Its Range Telecommunication. A pillar of the community that has been serving eastern Montana for the past 65 years. 

This rural telephone co-operative is an excellent example of the typical NISC member, but unfortunately, Range has never been a member of NISC. It has not been for lack of trying as year after year we've made overtures, work to build relationships with one CEO after another to no avail. It was frustrating for us, but we were determined to continue our efforts looking forward to the day where we could welcome Range into the NISC family. 

We have always said that this is a relationship business. Doors are open by relationships and kept tightly closed when they are absent. Recently, we saw a glimmer of hope. A relationship with a newly minted CEO who indicated that he may be interested in visiting with us. It was a relationship that opened this door, and we were determined to use this opportunity to present our organization and demonstrate that we were worthy of their consideration. There were several hurdles and roadblocks, but in true fashion, one after another, our employees stepped up and provided solutions that kept the process moving forward. 

It was a Friday afternoon, and I was weary from a week of travel that took me to multiple cities in multiple NISC offices. I was in travel mode, laptop open and connected, working through a week of e-mail that had accumulated. I was focused on getting home that Friday evening. My phone rang as I was boarding the plane and after a polite greeting and some small talk we got down to business. Had she talked to the CEO of Range.? Yes. Had they made their decision? Yes. And drum roll...NISC has been selected as their I.T. partner. I wanted to jump up and cheer. We had waited so long. Our patience was wearing thin, and some said it would never happen. But they were wrong. 

Relationships and determination and the tenacity of NISC paid off, and it felt very good. No. It felt incredible. I settled into my seat on the final leg of my flight with a smile on my face. It was going to be a great weekend. 

Once again, my confidence in this organization had been strengthened. The power of relationships had once again been confirmed. 

I love it when a plan comes together even if it takes 50 years. 

Thanks for listening. I appreciate you,

Vern