Mission Statement

Robert Helming
President/Owner
roberthelming@smtel.com

I started my career at SMT in June of 1968 at age 11 working summers, holidays and weekends until I graduated from BCHS in 1975. I greatly enjoyed working the open wire system of those days with my father, John and my grandfather George as they both taught me a great deal about the business. At age 18, I went to a full time position in instillation and repair, and worked my way up to a management position of which turned into my purchase of the company in 1986 from my father. My education in this industry was mostly on the job training, along with numerous training classes including, Lynch Communications, Northern Telcom classes in System Translations and Methods of Operations. It has always been my ambition to own a WORLD CLASS TELCO from the beginning, and with the help of a very dedicated staff that is currently the type of service this company provides of which we should all be proud of. I enjoy the company of my lovely wife and daughter, and I am very grateful for their support through the years. My personal interests are mostly in the outdoors including, rodeo in the form of team roping, hunting and everything that goes with it, along with off road buggies of all kinds.

Larry Mason
General Manager
lmason@smtel.com

I graduated from high school in a small town in Idaho. After a two-season stint as a Utah ski bum, I moved to Wisconsin where I earned a BBA in Accounting, my CPA license, a MBA in Finance and more importantly became a diehard Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badgers fan. I began my  telecommunications career as an internal auditor in 1990. I spent five years in the wood products industry in the mid-1990’s and in 2001 returned to the telecom industry as a regulatory consultant in Oregon with SMT being one of my clients. I came to SMT in 2008 as the General Manager. My wife, children, and I are thankful to be out of the city living where we can enjoy hunting, skiing, camping and the other quality-of-life benefits that come with living in Montana.

Doran Fluckiger
Controller
doran@smtel.com

I am an accountant and business professional who previously worked as a General Manager for a Chrysler car dealership, Business Consultant for the University of Wyoming, and an Accounting Supervisor at Silver Star Communications.  I come from Wyoming and enjoy the outdoors . . . specifically fishing, hiking motor-biking and following the interest of my family.  I attended BYU-I where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  Montana is now my home and I am excited to serve the families here.

Janice Wasser
Customer Service Representative
jwasser@smtel.com

I graduated from Beaverhead County High School. I have completed adult education classes and  training in the telecom industry through work. I began my journey in the telecom industry in November 2004 at Nemont Telephone in Scobey, MT where I worked until January 2011. I became a SMT employee at the end of January 2011. I have worked in customer service and the cellular department throughout my career, which has offered new adventures every day. I enjoy outdoor activities with my family such as camping, horseback riding and four-wheeling.

Rex Caraker
Plant Manager
rex@smtel.com

I went to grade school in Dillon and Wisdom and graduated from Beaverhead County High School. I attended college in Helena and while in college worked in the timber industry for ten years. I then went to work in the telecom industry where I have been for the past 24 years. The Big Hole Valley is a great place to live, especially for those of us who enjoy snowmobiling, camping, riding motorcycles, and everything else that goes with the outdoors.

Richard Nickisch
Combination Technician
rich@smtel.com

I began my career in the telephone industry working for Heberly Engineering as a cable tester and inspector on SMT’s first buried telephone line upgrade. After a brief time with Heberly’s, I went to work for SMT after the passing of George Helming, the patriarch of the Helming family and owner of the company, cutting the new cable and electronics into service. In December 2014, I will have been with SMT for thirty-three years. My career has seen many changes in the telephone industry, from the ten party lines of the old “Leaning Pole Telephone Company” to new digital technology and high speed internet service. I have two grown children and the newest and brightest lights in my life are my four grandchildren. My other interests include hunting and fishing.

Jason Raymond
Combination Technician
jason@smtel.com

I graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1995. I attended Alamon Telephone School in January 1996. In the spring of 1996, I went to work for Blackfoot Telephone in Missoula, MT. I worked at Blackfoot for just shy of ten years and then went into business for myself directional drilling for utility companies. I came to work for SMT in the summer of 2007 part time and in December 2008, became a full-time employee. My family enjoys hunting, camping, dirt biking, and helping my dad with his cows.

Ben Haack
Combination Technician
ben@smtel.com

I was born and raised in a little town called Campbellsport in the state of WI. I graduated from Campbellsport Highschool and went straight to Moraine Park Technical College. I graduated with two associates degrees in IT Technical Support, and IT Networking. I moved to Wisdom in May, 2017 with a job offer here at Southern Montana Telephone. I enjoy living here, as it allows for easy access to go on trial rides, either horseback or on dirt bikes. Although I spend more time fixing my two-stroke bike than I do riding it. I enjoy the outdoors and all the great scenery that comes with it. If I’m not outside, I am probably playing video games with family or friends from back in Wisconsin.