As a cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications is governed by a seven-person member-elected Board of Directors.  In 2024, there is one Board of Director position up for election representing Districts 5.

Article III, Section 3 of your Cooperative’s Bylaws requires any member interested in serving as a Director to submit a completed candidate packet to the Cooperative headquarters at least 25 business days prior to the Caucus Election date.  This enables the Cooperative to properly verify the eligibility of all candidates to serve as a member of the Board if elected.  Members interested can find the candidate application packet and related information online at https://paulbunyan.net/cooperative/documents/

The deadline for completed Director-candidate packets to be returned to the Cooperative is Monday, February 26.

If there are less than two pre-qualified candidates seeking election to the Board of Directors from the same district (an uncontested district election), no in-person Caucus Meeting and Caucus Election for that district will be held.

If there are two or more pre-qualified candidates seeking election from the same district, the in-person Caucus Meeting will be held and all members residing within the district will be notified by mail of the date, time, and location.  The purpose of the in-person Caucus is to select two pre-qualified candidates to seek election/re-election to be the district’s representative on the Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Directors. Directors serve a five-year term through 2029.

The current director for District 5 is Board President Randy Frisk and he has expressed his intent to seek re-election.

Based on the results of any contested Caucus Election, the names of two candidates are listed on the ballot to be voted on by the general membership of the Cooperative.  Votes are tallied at the Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 22, 2024.  The candidate with the greatest number of votes from the general membership is elected/re-elected as the Director for such district.

The GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, a Paul Bunyan Communications event, has announced that this year’s special guest will be Danielle Feinberg, Visual Effects Supervisor for Pixar Animation Studios and mentor for girls in STEM.

Danielle Feinberg began her career at Pixar Animation Studios in February 1997, and since then, she has worked on 14 of Pixar’s feature films. She cut her teeth on early films like A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and the Academy Award®-winning Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. Fein­berg was the director of photography-lighting for the Academy Award®- winning features WALL•E, Brave, and Coco. Most recently she completed her work as the visual effects supervisor on Turning Red, released on March 11, 2022.

Pixar’s Turning Red saw Feinberg take on the position of Visual Effects Supervisor, the first woman in 20 years to hold that role at Pixar. With her combination of strong visual and technical skills, Feinberg was uniquely positioned to join this film that had goals of finding a new style of its own.

“We are so excited to have Danielle as our special guest this year!  Not only is she heavily involved with cutting edge technology at Pixar, but she is a champion for women in STEM.  She will inspire our guests by sharing her journey into the world of technology,” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

Feinberg continues to champion women in STEM by participating in science and math mentoring programs for young women and continuing to tell her story. In fact, her TED Talk, The magic ingredient that brings Pixar movies to life, was named one of the top TED Talks of 2016.

“The GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo is a one-of-a-kind event that is something truly special for our region and provides the chance to see up close and personal how local schools and businesses are incorporating the latest in technology into what they do.  Danielle’s story is very inspirational which aligns perfectly with our event.  We want to inspire students and potential employees to consider a career in technology right here in northern Minnesota,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

The 2024 GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo will be April 20 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.  The doors will open at 10 a.m.  As special guest, Feinberg will speak on the main stage at 2 p.m. followed by a Q&A session.  She will also be a judge for the Greater Bemidji Northstar Pitch Competition.  She may also visit with local STEM students on Friday, April 19 if her schedule allows.

The GigaZone TechXpo will expose a growing regional audience to technology innovation and help them turn their technical skills and enthusiasm into successful careers right here northern Minnesota. Start-ups and companies creatively leveraging technology will be able to demonstrate their innovation to a large group of tech-savvy potential employees. Educators and educational institutions can have their tech-oriented students show off projects and promote the technology training programs they have to offer. There is no cost to be an exhibitor but space is limited and the exhibit must creatively display the use of technology. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2024 at www.gigazonetechxpo.com

The GigaZone Gaming Championship will feature free gaming on various console and arcade games, numerous tournaments, door prizes, and more. There is no cost to enter the tournaments or for any of the gaming.  Tournament details will be posted on the GigaZone Gaming Discord, Twitch channel, and Facebook page as well as www.gigazonegaming.com

This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners, including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, and the Sanford Center, as well as support from several regional and national partners.

Paul Bunyan Communications is excited to announce the winners of the annual Pick-it Bowl Challenge, a free online contest for participants to pick the winners for the 2023-24 College Bowl games for a chance to win a credit on a Paul Bunyan Communications account.  There were a record 724 participants.

Winners of the 2023-24 Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-it Bowl Challenge:

1^st Place- $500 credit  Ivy Cannella, Grand Rapids

2^nd Place- $250 credit Pam Johnson, Bemidji

3^rd Place- $100 credit Doug Leif, Bemidji

4^th Place- $50 credit   Alyson Berg, Bemidji

5^th Place- $50 credit   Michelle Lussier, Red Lake

6^th Place- $50 credit   Marcel Noyes, Laporte

7^th Place- $50 credit   Collin Leif, Phoenix, AZ

8^th Place- $50 credit   Mike Reierson , Bemidji

9^th Place- $50 credit   Rich Jahner, Bemidji

10^th Place- $50 credit Jim Nissen

Random $100 Credit Prize Winner:  Ron Olehesier, Grand, Rapids, MN (301^st Place)

The next Paul Bunyan Communications Pick It Challenge will be March Mania for the College Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Our cooperative offices in Bemidji and Grand Rapids will be closed on Monday, January 15 for all-staff training.  Our regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 16 at 8 a.m.

Emergency 24 hour repair service will remain available.

Area High School Students age 16 or 17 can enter the Paul Bunyan Communications Essay Contest for a chance to attend the 2024 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 3-7, with all expenses paid by Paul Bunyan Communications.

Students interested in attending the Youth Tour need to submit a short essay, no more than 500 words in length, on why they would like to attend the Youth Tour. Students must be 16 or 17 years of age and in high school with their parent/guardian a member of Paul Bunyan Communications Cooperative.

Entries can be dropped off at the Paul Bunyan Communications office in Bemidji or Grand Rapids, or mailed to:

Paul Bunyan Communications Essay Contest
1831 Anne St. NW
Bemidji, MN 56601

The deadline for entries is Thursday, February 29.

The trip features a comprehensive overview of the telecommunications industry, including careers in telecom, the critical role telecommunications plays in rural America, and how legislative and regulatory decisions affect the industry.  The tour allows youth to meet with members of Congress who represent rural constituents.  They also participate in educational sessions about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Students visit some of the nation’s most historic sites, including the Smithsonian Museums and a beautiful night tour of our Washington D.C.

“We hope by providing our region with latest in technology, as well as exposing them to cultural and educational opportunities, such as the FRS Youth Tour, that our youth will remain in and become active members in their rural communities,” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

The Foundation for Rural Service is dedicated to informing and to improving the quality of life throughout rural America.  Each year, it organizes the Youth Tour, designed to educate rural youth about the telecommunications industry and the federal political process.  The FRS is a subsidiary of the NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association of which Paul Bunyan Communications is a member.

Paul Bunyan Communications has participated in sending a local high school student to the Youth Tour since 1996.

The GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, a Paul Bunyan Communications event, will return on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji and applications are now being accepted to be an exhibitor at the TechXpo. It is FREE to be an exhibitor but space is limited and the exhibit must display the use of technology. The application is online at www.gigazonetechxpo.com and the deadline to apply by March 1, 2024

The GigaZone TechXpo exposes a growing regional audience to technology innovation and help them turn their technical skills and enthusiasm into successful careers right here northern Minnesota. Start-ups and companies creatively leveraging technology can demonstrate their innovation to a large group of tech-savvy potential employees. Educators and educational institutions can promote the technology training programs they have to offer.

“We were thrilled to have over 35 exhibitors from area businesses and schools who took the leap of faith that his would be a worthwhile event to be a part of and we hope to have even more this year.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager

“We are close to securing this year’s special guest too and we will reveal who that will be in the coming weeks,” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor, “obviously Woz is a tough act to follow but we’re confident that this year’s guest will be very engaging as well.  Stayed tuned!”

The GigaZone Gaming Championship will feature free gaming on various console and arcade games, numerous tournaments, door prizes, and more. There is no cost to enter the tournaments or for any of the gaming.  Tournament details will be posted on the GigaZone Gaming Discord, Twitch channel, and Facebook page as well as www.gigazonegaming.com

This one-of-a-kind event showcases Paul Bunyan Communications’ IT and web development team, which custom-built and integrated much of the online technology being used and leverages the speed of the GigaZone, one of the largest rural all-fiber optic gigabit networks in the country. The entire gaming event is run off a single residential GigaZone Internet connection.

This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners, including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, and the Sanford Center, as well as support from several regional and national partners.

Paul Bunyan Television has added a 24-hour Yule Log channel for the holiday season that is available to all PBTV subscribers on channel 99.

“Every year we get calls wondering where the Yule Log programming may be.  Various networks have provided it in the past and some still do but how long and when varied.  It was hard for us to provide that answer. So, this year our staff created a Yule Log channel for our television customers to have 24/7 throughout the holiday season,” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

The PBTV Yule Log channel will air through at least January 3, 2024.

The GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, a Paul Bunyan Communications event, will return on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The event is now one of the largest rural gaming and technology expositions in the United States and recognized nationally within the broadband industry for its innovative way to showcase the cooperative’s all-fiber optic network while engaging with the gaming community and anyone interested in technology.

“Last year was our biggest event yet as we took over the entire Sanford Center for the first time and added the TechXpo.  We were honored to have Steve Wozniak as our special guest and had over 35 exhibitors from area businesses and schools who demonstrated their use of technology to thousands of potential students, customers, and employees. It was an amazing day and we are excited to bring it back on April 20.” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager

The GigaZone Gaming Championship will feature free gaming on various console and arcade games, numerous tournaments, door prizes, and more. There is no cost to enter the tournaments or for any of the gaming.  Tournament details will be posted on the GigaZone Gaming Discord, Twitch channel, and Facebook page as well as www.gigazonegaming.com

The GigaZone TechXpo will expose a growing regional audience to technology innovation and help them turn their technical skills and enthusiasm into successful careers right here northern Minnesota. Start-ups and companies creatively leveraging technology will be able to demonstrate their innovation to a large group of tech-savvy potential employees. Educators and educational institutions can have their tech-oriented students show off projects and promote the technology training programs they have to offer. There is no cost to be an exhibitor but space is limited and the exhibit must creatively display the use of technology. Applications will open January 3 with a deadline to apply by March 1, 2024 at www.gigazonetechxpo.com

This one-of-a-kind event showcases Paul Bunyan Communications’ IT and web development team, which custom-built and integrated much of the online technology being used and leverages the speed of the GigaZone, one of the largest rural all-fiber optic gigabit networks in the country. The entire gaming event is run off a single residential GigaZone Internet connection.

“Our cooperative continues to expand our advanced fiber network that brings many advantages to our members including extreme speed and low latency, which are critical for the best online gaming experience. The GigaZone Gaming Championship showcases just that,” added Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Technology Experience Manager.

“There is no other gaming event like it anywhere that I’ve seen, and the TechXpo was a great addition. Many of the exhibitors last year were able to attract new employees, students, and/or customers through the event.  I don’t think people realize just how innovative our schools and businesses are and how they implement the latest technology into their operations or education curriculum. The TechXpo is a showcase for that in a personal, interactive, and exciting way,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor. This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners, including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, and the Sanford Center, as well as support from several regional and national partners.