Regina, SK – The Annual General Meeting of Access Communications Co-operative was held on January 23, 2018 simultaneously in Access studios across the province. Delegates and members of the Co-operative as well as members of the public were invited to attend.
Access Communications announced it continued to expand last year and now serves over 235 communities with conventional cable systems and many more with its wireless (rural) internet service. In 2017 the Co-operative invested over $27 million into cutting-edge technologies and services in our communities as part of a five-year $120 million investment plan. Throughout continued growth, Access Communications remains a strong local co-operative, staying true to its founding principles.
"The Co-operative is in great shape, there is great momentum in the organization," reported Dale Ripplinger, outgoing Chair of the Access Communications Board of Directors. “The spirit of collaboration among our members, employees, volunteers and our board makes Access Communications a community of its own, well-suited to working with and giving back to the communities we serve.”
The Board of Directors of Access Communications Co-operative is pleased to announce that Dick DeRyk has been elected Chair of the Board for 2018.
Dick DeRyk is the owner of UncommonSense Business Solutions based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In September 2017, Dick was honoured for his contributions to the community by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce. He co-founded Yorkton This Week, is a former Councillor for the City of Yorkton and a past Chair of Tourism Saskatchewan.
Two new members were elected to Access Communications Board of Directors at the annual general meeting.
James Lainton is the General Manager of Estevan Web Printing, a director of Southern Plains Co-op; and a former President of the Board of the United Way of Estevan.
Kama Leier is the Corporate Auditor for SaskGaming and also currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Governors for the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS: 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dick DeRyk (Chair), Yorkton
Brenda Watson (Vice Chair), Regina
Alan Bachynski, Regina
David Dekker, North Battleford
Patrick Kelly, Regina
James Lainton, Estevan
Kama Leier, Regina
Bernadette McIntyre, Regina
Doreen Polischuk, La Ronge
Hiedi Pearson, Regina
Dale Ripplinger, Regina
Twila Walkeden, Weyburn
About Access Communications Co-operative
Access Communications Co-operative is one of Saskatchewan’s largest telecommunications companies, but we do so much more than provide reliable, affordable Internet, television, telephone and security services. What makes Access unique is our involvement in the communities we serve, especially through our Access7 community channels.
Access Communications began serving customers in 1978. Over the past 40 years, we have grown into a province-wide co-operative serving over 235 communities and 160,000 sq. km of rural areas in Saskatchewan. As a not-for-profit co-operative, we invest 100% of our earnings right back into the communities and rural areas where we live and do business.