Meet the Owners
Meet the Owners
Golden West is your telecommunications cooperative, owned by the people. The next time you jump online, watch a show, or make a call, think about this: People make your community great. And people are what this co-op is all about. Golden West is owned by the very people it serves.
Below are highlights of some of those member owners.
Keisha - Golden West Member Services & Sales Specialist
Lyle & Dawn Howey - I-90 Speedway
Justin & Missy Gillespie - Gillespie Outdoor Power Equipment
Austin - Golden West Field Service Technician
Brian Gronli - Gronli Cabinetry
Casey Remmers - Creekside Meats
Bob Zwart - Dells Auto
Travis Kuehl - Travis Electric
Brian Anderson - Dells Theatre
Stacy & Kyle Wengler - Knotty Gnome
Kari Karst - BX Civil
Terry Arends - Central States Mfg.
Merlin & Sherri Goebel - Sunshine Foods
Aaron & Amie Delgado - Fourth & Ladelle Coffeehouse
Teri Michaels - Hartford Veterinary Clinic
Lynnae Redenius - Tammen Auto & Tire Inc.
Mike Parks - T&C Self Service
Adam & Kim DeJong - Pizza Ranch
Robin & Justin Eich - Law Office & Stomping Grounds Coffee
Chris & Callie Tuschen - Buffalo Ridge Brewing
Keisha - Member Services & Sales Specialist
As a member service and sales specialist, Keisha likes to help keep people connected. Working at Golden West also keeps her connected to the Hartford community. “I want to be more involved within the community, and Golden West participates in different events that happen throughout the year,” she says. “As a co-op, we provide a lot of scholarships, and promotions, and money for things that go on throughout Hartford.
Read the full story here.
Lyle & Dawn Howey
Lyle and Dawn Howey own and operate the I-90 Speedway three miles outside of Hartford. They offer weekly races through the summer with sprint cars, stock cars, and modified stock cars. “In this business, everything’s fast,” says Dawn. “Our season’s fast; our night is fast. So, we need fast internet, because we’re high tech, and Golden West – they’re the best.” Still, she says the connections are the most important. “It’s the people that you meet.”
Read the full story here.
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Justin & Missy Gillespie
Justin Gillespie began working on small engines while growing up on the family farm. Today he owns and operates Gillespie Outdoor Power Equipment in Hartford. There he services outdoor power equipment for area residents who work for and own other small businesses. “We’re not just their customers, they are our customers, too,” he says about Golden West and all businesses in town. “You feel like you know Golden West because of the people that are in your local community. I feel like they’re South Dakota.”
Read the full story here.
Austin - Field Service Technician
Field Service Technician Austin Parry takes pride in all the work he does for Golden West customers. He enjoys learning more about his customers. “I like making sure all my installs are nice and neat, and that the customers are happy with how I did it and the service they’re getting is what they need,” he says. Austin appreciates his coworkers and working for Golden West. He also likes working in the Hartford area because of the community, the people, and the “good vibes.”
Read the full story here.
Brian Gronli
Brian Gronli has been building custom cabinetry and doing other fine finishing woodwork from his rural Dell Rapids workshop for the past eight years. "I go to people's houses, and I see what they do - how they live - and understand what they need," he says. Brian appreciates his Golden West service. "We just take it for granted. We forget that they're our service provider because service is so smooth."
Read the full story here.
Casey Remmers
Casey Remmers’ interest in the food business took root as a boy when his parents had a steakhouse in Orient. He and partner Troy Grocott opened Creekside Meats in October 2021. “We chose to start our business in Hartford, because the city has seen a lot of growth, and it’s a perfect-sized community where you can get to know your customers,” Casey says. The business hopes to inspire these customers to spend more time cooking and grilling good food for family and friends.
Read the full story here.
Bob Zwart
Bob Zwart started Dells Auto with his brother Rick Zwart in November 1999. “What I learned early on is it’s a process, and that process begins with taking care of the customer. Buyers come back if you take care of them.” Internet and phone connections are crucial for the Dell Rapids business. “Golden West has been there and provided us with that from the very beginning. It’s nice that they’re local, and it matters to us.”
Read the full story here.
Travis Kuehl
The Travis Electric owner enjoys Hartford's small-town, progressive feel - including fiber optics from Golden West. At his wife Wendy's encouragement, Travis Kuehl started his business in 2005 as a one-man operation. Today, Travis Electric employs 24 people – and like Hartford, is still growing. Travis credits the rapid expansion to the wide range of projects the business tackles. He appreciates Golden West upgrading the town and rural area to the fiber optic network starting in 2013. “Golden West’s customer service has been outstanding,” he says. “Their investment in Hartford has been huge.”
Read the full story here.
Brian Anderson once worked on set with Dustin Diamond, Bob Saget, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former child actor gave up his acting dreams when his family moved to Dell Rapids, but his passion for cinema lives on. Today, he owns the historic Dells Theatre — and it’s his mission to keep the town entertained.
Read the full story here.
Stacy & Kyle Wengler
Stacy and Kyle Wengler own two very different businesses in Hartford — but they complement each other in different ways. Learn more about their eye-catching sign, their devotion to the local business community, and why they probably won’t complain about too much garbage.
Read the full story here.
Kari Karst
Kari Karst is a Dell Rapids native who never imagined she'd be running a successful family business from her hometown. When the opportunity arose to purchase a business her dad once worked for, she left the California dream behind – and couldn’t be happier.
Read the full story here.
Terry Arends
Terry Arends is a Hartford resident whose job at Central States Mfg. involves providing customers with the best products for their needs. You have to be on your game to make sure your clients get exactly what they want, he says. He believes attention to detail sets you apart from the competition. “Golden West has been a great partner with Central States,” Terry says. “They ensure we can keep our business running by providing us with our phones, emails, and fast speeds.”
Read the full story here.
Merlin & Sherri Goebel
Merlin and Sherri Goebel believe adaptability is the key to small-town success. That, and committing to the local community — whether by carrying fresh produce or supporting charitable causes. The Goebels have owned Sunshine Foods in Hartford for two decades and still believe the best is yet to come.
Read the full story here.
Aaron & Amie Delgado
Aaron and Amie Delgado moved to Dell Rapids to be closer to family. The couple turned a few heads due to their unconventional look but were welcomed with open arms. Their coffee shop, LaDelle and Fourth Coffeehouse, attracts both regulars and visitors with tasty treats and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Read the full story here.
Teri Michaels
Meet Teri Michaels, owner of the Hartford Veterinary Clinic in Hartford. Teri embraces the small-town lifestyle that Hartford provides. It’s one of the draws that brought her and husband, Phil to town in the first place.
Read the full story here.
Lynnae Redenius
Meet Lynnae Redenius, owner of Tammen Auto & Tire Inc in Hartford. Her willingness to learn and dedication to providing excellent customer service has paved the way for her success.
Read the full story here.
Mike Parks
Meet Mike Parks, owner of T&C Self Service in Dell Rapids. The service station/convenience store offers everything from hot dogs and cold beer to a friendly ear and community support.
Read the full story here.
Adam & Kim DeJong
Meet Adam & Kim DeJong, a Hartford couple committed to helping the community. Longtime Hartford residents and owners of the local Pizza Ranch franchise, they help feed and support the community.
Read the full story here.
Robin & Justin Eich
Robin and Justin Eich both grew up in small communities. When the couple married and decided to start a family, they wanted a similar upbringing for their kids. Hartford proved to be the ideal setting; 20 years later, they are thriving — at home, at work, and in their many extracurricular activities.
Read the full story here.
Chris & Callie Tuschen
Chris and Callie Tuschen craft community - and beer - in Hartford. The Tuschens own Buffalo Ridge Brewing Project and are members of the Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative both personally and with their business. Like Golden West, Chris and Callie pride themselves on the connections they provide and are committed to helping Hartford grow and be an even better place to live.
Read the full story here.