What began as an Internet service provider in 2001 has blossomed into one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country.
CentraComm, based in Findlay, is an IT security and service provider with clients throughout the U.S. Despite a tough economy, CentraComm has managed to land on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies three years running; it's been on the CRN list of fastest growing technology companies four years in a row.
CEO Daniel Bemis attributes that success to smart employees with a passion for customer service -- and to staying focused.
"We know what we do very well and we try to stay focused on that," Bemis says. "We don't try to be all things to all people. Another key is that we're very customer-focused. It can be a clich�, but in several cases we're literally a four-digit extension on a company's phone."
Bemis, a Monroeville native, returned to Ohio last year when he took the helm of CentraComm after serving stints at Vonage, Adelphia and CRN. At Vonage, Bemis oversaw all customer operations and inside sales as the company became the fastest growing startup in the country.
While he says the company won't add significantly this year to its 25-employee headcount, a few jobs likely will be added. At the same time, the company is taking advantage of the Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program, which helps pay the freight for students participating in the program.
"We see that as a great way to attract young talent in school and get them on-boarded at a cost that you can sustain," he says. "The other thing we believe is that as the Third Frontier helps fund existing manufacturers moving to more high tech manufacturing, that will create opportunity for us because we support those kinds of companies."
Source: Daniel Bemis, CentraComm
Writer: Gene Monteith