The Invisible Backbone of Rural America: Why This Tech Cooperative Puts People First (with Doug Remboldt)

Rural electric co-ops and broadband providers keep small towns running, and behind many of them is a technology partner most people have never heard of. Doug Remboldt, President & CEO of NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative), joins us from Fargo to talk about 36 years at a member-owned cooperative, the realities of serving some of the most remote communities in the country, and why a people-first approach shapes every decision, from culture and retention to how NISC puts AI to work.  In this conversation, Doug covers:  -How the co-op model lets NISC plan long-term instead of chasing quarterly earnings  -The Meridian merger and why one product means faster innovation  -Storm restoration when the nearest neighbor is five miles away  -Why 87 cents of every dollar goes to people, and voluntary turnover under 4%  -Servant leadership lessons from former CEO Vern Dosch  -Using AI to capture retiring employees' knowledge, with a human always in the loop    0:00 - Welcome from Fargo & meet Doug Remboldt  5:07 - What NISC does and why the co-op model matters  8:12 - Planning to stay two years and staying 36  10:31 - Four major technology shifts in one career  13:06 - The NISC and Meridian merger and the "why" behind it  17:47 - Serving rural America at less than one meter per mile  20:55 - 87 cents of every dollar and a culture built by employees  24:41 - The payday printer and what servant leadership really looks like  28:33 - AI with a human in the loop  35:07 - For fun: random questions  Guest: Doug Remboldt, President & CEO, NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative)  🗨️ Mentioned in this episode:   Meridian Cooperative — The technology coop that merged with NISC on August 1, 2026  Vern Dosch — Former NISC President & CEO and Doug's servant leadership mentor  Scott Klososky — Tech. speaker, author, & founding partner of Future Point of View  Tellwell Studios — The Fargo agency/studio where this episode was recorded  Connect with Doug: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-remboldt-4115b3b/  New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.