STRATA Networks was founded in 1948 when a few residents, who lived in the remote portions of the Uintah Basin, undertook an effort to bring phone service to their homes. The telephone company at the time refused to provide service to these areas due to low population density, coupled with rough terrain and the high cost to build infrastructure. Although they faced several challenges, these individuals took action and formed a board. With the board formed, the residents established a cooperative to obtain services otherwise not available for rural customers.
The STRATA Networks’ cooperative, headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah, has grown to employ close to 300 people and provides a variety of technologically advanced services. This technology has helped revitalize the local economy and revolutionize industry for Uintah Basin residents. STRATA continues to expand and offer leading edge services including nationwide wireless coverage, the fastest broadband internet in the Basin, advanced TV, and their flagship home telephone service. STRATA has become the leading telecommunications provider not only in the Uintah Basin, but their coverage also extends into parts of Wyoming and Colorado, serving over 60,000 customers.
Membership
In a cooperative, the owners and the users are the same people; they are the members/patrons. When they purchase landline or broadband service from STRATA, they have the option to become a member. STRATA offers membership to anyone within their service area regardless of race, religion, gender, or political beliefs.
Members have the right to vote on cooperative issues, run for a position on the organization’s board of directors, and share in the organization’s earnings. Members enjoy a yearly patronage check that is paid out when the Cooperative generates margins from efficient operations.
Community
STRATA is a community-based business which helps keep money local and employs local people. They strive to support efforts that are most important to their members. One of the ways STRATA gives back to the community is through sponsorship of the Annual Charity Golf Classic which has raised nearly $245,000. These funds directly benefit local charitable entities.
Supporting the educational and career paths of the next generation is also an important mission of STRATA. They have pledged donations to UBTech College to help fund a program with curriculum focusing on all aspects of information technology. These advances help provide relevant training and prepare students for a technology-driven workforce. In addition, STRATA invests in future leaders by awarding several annual scholarships to local high school students. They also offer opportunities for local youth to develop leadership skills through an all-expense paid, Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Tour to Washington D.C., and the URECA Youth Leadership Challenge.
The STRATA Networks cooperative is comprised of ten (10) districts with a director elected to represent each of the following areas: Altamont, Duchesne, Flattop, Fruitland, Lapoint, Neola, Randlett, Roosevelt, Tabiona, and Vernal. Members gather each year at the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting to elect their board of directors with a one member, one vote principle. The board of directors are elected by and from the members to serve a three (3) year term, or until their successors are elected. The terms of the directors are staggered to ensure continuity.
Ashley Shiner
Rick Coil
Dana Shepard
Mindi Crowley
Aaron Reary
Bart Miller
JoAnn Winn
Richard Ross
Max Fabrizio
Kelly R. Dastrup
The Annual Meeting gives members the opportunity to participate in the governance of their local cooperative; to elect Board representation and to take part in any other business that may come before the meeting. Members may hear reports from the Board President, Secretary/Treasurer, and the CEO/General Manager.
STRATA continues to move forward and invest in their community by continually expanding infrastructure projects, building next-generation networks, and providing the latest technological advances. These advances maintain the original goal of the founders, connecting the community and improving the quality of life for members of the Cooperative and residents of the Uintah Basin.