neighbors building the future—together.
From stringing party‑line phones in the 1960s to lighting gig‑speed fiber today, our mission stays the same: keep Lincoln County connected.
our cooperative story
Established 1962 · Member‑owned since day one
What started as a handful of ranchers pooling dollars for party‑line service has grown into a 3,800‑member cooperative delivering world‑class fiber. Because we’re member‑owned, every dollar you pay goes back into better service, broader coverage, and community good.
our historical timeline
1962
1962
InterBel is incorporated and operated jointly with Lincoln Electric Cooperative; J.R. Pitman, General Manager.
1963
1963
1st REA loan is approved for $350,000. As of May 31 the Co-op had received membership applications from 238 potential subscribers, all accompanied by a $15 membership fee.
1964
1964
Eureka and Fortine Central Offices are cut-over and InterBel’s first telephone service begins. Congratulations came from President Lyndon B. Johnson via a phone call to Board members Fred Anderson and Courtney Stoken.
1968
1968
InterBel custom-wires a contact switch for President Johnson to make a phone call and blast the final hole through the seven-mile Flathead Tunnel near Trego.
1971
1971
Three-year relocation project begins with Highway 37 from Rexford to Libby—creating significant buried-cable work for InterBel.
1974
1974
InterBel becomes the first in Montana to install an underground cable plant and single-party lines—moving away from overhead wires with five-party lines and a three-minute conversation cut-off.
1982
1982
InterBel and Lincoln Electric move to their new, combined Corporate Office facility north of town.
1986
1986
InterBel becomes the first in Montana to implement a 911 Dispatch Center.
1993
1993
InterBel and Lincoln Electric agree to terminate the joint operation between the two cooperatives, creating a new General Manager position at InterBel. InterBel also installs a fiber-optic cable crossing on Lake Koocanusa, bringing improved service to the West Kootenai.
1994
1994
InterBel moves to its new building in downtown Eureka. Completed a new plant design, installed a Lucent 5ESS digital Central Office (combining the Fortine and Eureka COs into one building), and built a fiber-optic ring network with 24 CSA sites.
1998
1998
Lincoln Electric and InterBel form the Eureka Rural Development Partners (ERDP), leading to many significant projects and millions of dollars in grants over the years. Ground is also broken on construction projects that improve reliability with a redundant cable route to carry Internet and long-distance traffic.
2000
2000
InterBel announces phone service to Eureka and Rexford, adding 1,200 more access lines and 900 co-op members.
2002
2002
InterBel becomes an Internet Service Provider and begins offering ISDN (early broadband) while testing DSL.
2006
2006
InterBel retires its last legacy Central Office switch and converts 100% of customers to IP-technology soft-switches. The first InterBel customers are cut over to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)—a new cable plant that will replace the older copper network.
2009
2009
InterBel discontinues dial-up Internet service and converts all customers to broadband using DSL.
2011
2011
InterBel expands its IP soft-switch platform, builds Ethernet rings, and accelerates the FTTH build-out—continuing the process of replacing copper with fiber.
Mission & values
Our mission is to deliver reliable, affordable connectivity that powers rural life and local business.
01
community first
We sponsor rodeos, classrooms, and volunteer fire halls.
02
Pioneer Spirit
We test new tech where the pavement ends.
03
Neighborly Service
When you call, a local answers—24/7.
04
Reinvested Dollars
Profits return as better speeds or capital credits.
Mission & values
Our mission is to deliver reliable, affordable connectivity that powers rural life and local business.
community first
We sponsor rodeos, classrooms, and volunteer fire halls.
Pioneer Spirit
We test new tech where the pavement ends.
Neighborly Service
When you call, a local answers—24/7.
Reinvested Dollars
Profits return as better speeds or capital credits.
every new subscriber grows this impact—thank you for fueling our future.
$500K+ reinvested in scholarships, broadband adoption classes, 4‑H clubs, and rural business grants in the past five years.
leadership
board of directors
Member-elected volunteers guiding the cooperative’s future.
Mike Hedges
Board President
Craig Eaton
Board President
Doug Purdy
Board President
Craig Sands
Board President
Amy Truman
Board President
our team
Dedicated locals powering our cooperative’s day-to-day.
Jason Moothart
General Manager/CEO
Kevin Hodik
Chief Financial Officer
Brett Damaskos
Director of Sales & Marketing
Mitch Miller
Director of Operations
Shanan Truman
Office Supervisor
Marielle Simonson
Accountant
Bailey Palmer
Billing Administrator
Aubree Sherwood
Billing Representative
Lillian Humphrey
Cashier
Rebekah Apeland
Customer Service Representative
Tiffany Wright
Customer Service Representative
Christopher O’Boyle
Sales Exec/Brand Ambassador
Jared Sherwood
Network Operations Supervisor
Tom Rasmussen
IT & Security Manager
Andy Escobar
Project Manager
Kaitlyn Farrar
Network Engineering Manager
Troy Unrein
OSP Supervisor/Sales Engineer
Blair Bohn
Engineer
Donald Conard
Engineer
Ben Traina
Engineer
Linda McNicol
Dispatch Operations
Ben White
OSP Technician
Keith Hill
OSP Technician
Jeremy Roose
OSP Technician
Kyle Neuheimer
Network Engineer
David Lafollet
CO Technician
Joshua Persson
Network Administrator
Sean McCracken
CO/ISP Technician
Hannah Booth
Warehouse Coordinator
Paul Torres
Construction Foreman
Cameron Colvard
Construction
Sterling Drollinger
Construction
Taylor Sylvester
Support Specialist
Shani Little
Support Specialist
want to build the next mile with us?
Fiber splicers, customer advocates, and IT pros—apply today and serve neighbors while exploring Big Sky country.