(Steele, ND) - BEK Communications Cooperative’s 72nd Annual Meeting was held on June 13 at the Kidder County School in Steele, ND. “Hometown Roots. Creating Connections” was this year’s theme. The meeting was broadcast live statewide by BEK TV.

A beef supper was served by Karri Stroh prior to President Brett Stroh calling the meeting to order.

The invocation was given by Pastor Jacob DeBoer of Trinity Lutheran Church in Steele and Dawson Lutheran Church. James K. McAleer Amvets Post 20, of Steele, presented the flags, and Stacey Svanes, of Kintyre, sang the National Anthem.

The meeting began with a warm welcome to members in attendance both in person and via BEK TV. A special welcome was extended to members of BEK’s newest District V.

Next, the board recognized Director Gerald Burlack for his 12 years of service. Burlack, from Wishek, served 12 years as Director of District IV before announcing his retirement earlier this year.

The meeting continued with the “2023 Year in Review” video, Auditor’s Report from Chris Skidmore of Moss Adams, annual report from BEK Chief Executive Officer Derrick Bulawa, and election of directors in District II, District V East, and District V West.

Election Results

New this year, BEK entrusted a third party, Survey and Ballot Systems, with the task of managing the election process.

Members voted to re-elect Brett Stroh, of Tappen, to District II. They also elected the first directors of District V: Edwin Everson, of Hannaford, to District V East and Charlie Dunbar, of Baldwin, to District V West.

After elections, President Brett Stroh asked for old business, of which there was none. He then asked for new business, of which there was none. The meeting was then adjourned.

At the reorganization meeting immediately following the annual membership meeting, the Board of Directors re-elected Brett Stroh to serve as President, Kevin Bernhardt to serve as Vice President, and Bill Becker to serve as Secretary/Treasurer.

About BEK Communications Cooperative

BEK Communications Cooperative, founded in 1952, is a communications services company headquartered in Steele, North Dakota. In the last 72 years, the company has grown to include branch offices in Bismarck and Valley City and now serves more than 12,000 customers.

BEK provides fiber-based voice, Gigabit broadband, and IP television services; cloud-based security, automation, surveillance, voice, and storage services; and hospital and business communications solutions in North Dakota.

The company provides statewide sports broadcasting and national news reports on the BEK TV Network, and television content across North Dakota through KNDB, KNDM, and KNGF.

BEK emphasizes their fast, friendly, local service experience and a broad portfolio of high-quality communications, enterprise, broadcasting, and advertising services.