2021
Curt Thornton retires beginning his 40th year of service with the company and five years as President/CEO. Erik Hoefer is appointed President/CEO. Louis Basl is appointed Assistant Manager.
About Us
SCTC and our partner companies have proudly served our communities since 1955.
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Your Hometown Connection
We got our start in 1955 keeping our community connected to each other and the rest of the world. But to us, being your “hometown connection” means so much more than just doing business together. It means doing whatever we can to enhance the quality of life for our members and neighbors here in the Santiam Canyon area.
In addition to investing in fiber broadband and other technologies that make it easier to work, learn, stream, and game at home, we are also investing in you. We proudly support local schools, charities, and organizations. We sponsor events and give out scholarships to high school students. All in service to you—our members—and this place we call home.
Our Member-Owners
As your local telecommunications cooperative, SCTC is owned and controlled by you—our members. As members, you have the right to vote in elections, serve on the Board of Directors in accordance with our bylaws, and receive an annual dividend payout based on your patronage.
Over the years, we’ve paid out several million dollars to our members—just another way we support the folks who support us. And it’s our pledge to you to conduct our business with the highest standards of ethics, trust, and integrity, to ensure a successful company now and in the future.
Our Vision
Our vision is to help our community thrive by providing members and customers high-quality communication services that are reliable and customizable to meet their needs. We pledge to communicate honestly and conduct our business with the highest standards of ethics, trust, and integrity.
Timeline
2015
Don Lawrence retires after thirty years with the company and 23 years as President/CEO. Curt Thornton is appointed President/CEO. Erik Hoefer is appointed Assistant Manager.
2013
Signed agreement with ClearView to get back into the security business.
2009
2007
Richard Smith retires after 33 years on the Board and 9 years as Chairman of the Board. First year of Fiber to the Home buildout
2003
Purchased 411 N Second Avenue building
2001
Completed construction of new office building at 502 N 2nd Avenue.
2000
Robert Schumacher retires after serving on the Board for 39 years and Chairman of the Board for 17 years.
1999
Got into the Long Distance business.
1998
The Stayton / Sublimity Chamber of Commerce named SCTC 1997 Business of the Year.
1997
On May 15th, we purchased People’s Telephone Co. in Lyons
A remodel of our Business Office was completed in December and on December 22nd we dedicated the building to Gus Kirsch.
1995
In January, Willamette Valley Internet (WVI) was formed with Scio MutualTelephone Association as a partner.
On July 1st, we purchased cable television properties from Northland Cable Television, including Stayton, Lyons, Mehama, Mill City, Gates, Idanha, Detroit and Turner.
1991
Ken Sandner retires after 16 years with the company as General Manager.
1986
At our Annual Meeting, March 27th, Gus Kirsch retired from the Board of Directors. Not only did Gus help found the Company, he played a key role in decision making over all the years. The Board voted unanimously to retain him as a lifetime advisor.
1985
On May 30th, Western Cellular, Inc. was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCTC and invested in cellular service areas throughout Oregon. Ownership was later transferred to SCS.
In December, our first fiber optic system was in service from Stayton to Scio.
1980
SCS Communications & Security, Inc. was formed on July 15th to provide telephones, equipment and alarm systems. On August 1st, we changed our Central Office equipment to a DMS100/200 Electronic Digital Switching System, offering many new services to our customers.
1979
In January, our new warehouse was completed across the river on Kingston-Jordan Road in Linn County.
1976
Improved Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS) was provided to customers in our area; these phones were installed in all types of cars, trucks and farm equipment.
1968
The first buried cable was put into service. With buried cable, our Company could withstand a natural disaster like the 1962 Columbus Day Storm with virtually no trouble.
1962
The Columbus Day Storm on October 12th put more than half of our customers out of service.
1955
Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company was incorporated on January 14th. All existing lines and property of the existing 18 companies were incorporated at a total value of $15,423. The incorporators and first Directors were G.A. Sandner, Merle Crane, Gus Kirsch, Ed Bell, Mike Benedict, George Tate and Irvin Parberry.