Employee Directory

Executive Staff

Mark Shlanta

CEO

Mark Shlanta leads SDN Communications as its Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since 2000.

Tom Durfee

Vice President of Network Planning and Operations

Tom Durfee became Vice President of Network Operations in 2005, leading a team of engineers in designing and maintaining SDN's 22,000-mile fiber optic network.

Michael Kedik

Vice President of Information Technology, Application and Product Development

Michael Kedik has 20 years experience in the IT and Telecommunications industries.

Dennis Kautz

Vice President of Sales and Pricing

Dennis Kautz serves as SDN's vice president of Sales and Pricing.

Bill Heaston

Vice President of Legal and Regulatory

As the Vice President of Legal and Regulatory, Bill provides advice and support to SDN for regulatory, legal and significant customer issues.

Nick Kortan

Vice President of Corporate Operations

As SDN's Vice President of Corporate Operations (CFO), Nick directs and oversees all aspects of the finance, accounting and credit functions.

Joe Galinanes

General Manager of SDN Technologies

As the General Manager of SDN Technologies, Joe Galinanes will manage the day-to-day operations of the division.

Vernon Brown

Director of Marketing & Community Relations

Vernon Brown manages SDN Communications’ brand through the marketing, sponsorships, events, special projects and community relations.

Mitch Elfstrand

Vice President of Network Engineering

As Vice President of Network Engineering, Mitch Elfstrand oversees the day-to-day development and growth of SDN's network.  

Charles Fejfar

Facilities Manager

As Manager of Facilities, Chuck Fejfar is responsible for managing SDN properties, security and safety in over twenty different locations across the eight-state region.  

Joe Neubauer

Manager - CABS and Carrier Management

As Manager - CABS and Carrier Management, Joe works closely with internal and external customers to ensure all data is accurate and up-to-date.


 

Cassie Baldwin

Contact Center Manager

Cassie Baldwin has been an integral part of SDN’s staff for almost seven years. In addition to helping establish the Network Surveillance Center (NSC) in 2005, Cassie supervises its staff of 14 employees that monitor SDN’s and customers’ networks 24x7x365.

Rodney Grissom

Director of Network Operations

At SDN, Rodney Grissom is responsible for managing the Network Operations group for the optical, data, MPLS, ATM and Internet core backbone of SDN's ever-growing network.

Amy Preator

Director of Human Resources

As Director of Human Resources, Amy Preator manages employee benefits and compensation, maintains consistency among policies and procedures, and oversees recruitment, hiring and employee development and training. 

Sales Staff

JJ Anderson

Regional Wholesale Account Executive

J.J. Anderson is a Regional Wholesale Account Executive serving the upper Midwest.

Melanie Sage

Account Network Executive - Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Yankton

Melanie Sage is an Account Network Executive with more than five years in telecommunications experience.

Lynne Norton

Broadband Connectivity Sales - Sioux Falls, Madison, SW Minnesota, Aberdeen

As a Senior Account Relations Executive, Lynne. Norton likes finding solutions for customers.

Ryan Punt

Broadband Connectivity Sales - Sioux Falls, Watertown, Fargo, Huron, SW Minnesota

The changing technologies in telecommunications fascinate Ryan Punt, who has been in the business since 1999.

Dan Gabrielson

Network Account Executive - West River, Rapid City, Pierre

Dan joins SDN as a Network Account Executive in the Rapid City office. 

Dale Buehler

Phone Systems and Network Equipment Sales

After 17 years of telecommunications industry experience with AT&T, Lucent Technologies and Avaya, Dale Buehler was drawn to SDN by the Best of Breed approach that allows us to formulate solutions with leading technology vendors that are tailored specifically to the needs of the customer.

Dennis Cromwell

Phone Systems and Network Equipment Sales

Dennis Cromwell has been a member of the SDN Technologies Sales Team since 2006. 

Jeff Lewallen

Structured Cabling Manager

Jeff Lewallen says many businesses consider their telecom infrastructure to be one of the most crucial aspects of their business.

Dean Putnam

Phone Systems and Network Equipment Sales

As sales engineer, Dean Putnum focuses on networking equipment and IP Telephony phone systems for businesses.

Jered Schock

Phone Systems and Network Equipment Sales

Jered Schock likes learning. That's why he enjoys finding solutions for businesses in a world with ever-changing technologies.

Cara Walker

Wholesale Account Executive

Cara Walker works to develop relationships with all Wholesale Accounts.