Aug. 12, 2010
By George Nelson
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — With so few companies hiring, Justin Moore of Youngstown says he’s glad that VXI Global Solutions Inc. is providing jobs for people who need them.

Moore, who worked at the Niles call center operated by the defunct MCI Worldcom, was one of about 150 applicants who turned out for a job fair at VXI’s downtown call center. Opened less than a year ago, the call center is preparing to expand from its current operation on the fourth floor of 20 Federal Place to the fifth floor.

                “We’re looking to hire about 300 new employees,” said Chris Butcher, senior operations manager at the call center.

                Los Angeles-based VXI announced plans last month to expand the Youngstown call center by about 600 positions, essentially doubling its work force here. Nick Covelli, VXI senior vice president, said company officials are pleased with the performance of the work force at the inbound call center, and he expects employment there to reach 1,000 in the near term and as many as 1,200 within a year.

                “We’ve done a very good job with our current campaigns we have in place,” said Butcher, a Howland native who encouraged VXI to expand to Youngstown last year. “We’ve exceeded a lot of the goals set for us, or at least maintained them, and because of that, other companies want to do business with us and grow their companies with us.”

                The fifth-floor space will be open for operations Oct. 1, he said. VXI hired a third of the 150 men and women who applied for positions Wednesday, and many of the rest likely will be called for other upcoming campaigns, based on their qualifications.

Moore, who had to leave his job at ABC Fire Extinguisher Co. for health reasons, said he enjoys sales work and has good people skills. At MCI, he always reached his quotas, he said.

                Among Wednesday’s applicants was Akesha Bowman of Youngstown. Like Moore, Bowman has experience in customer service. VXI is “closer to home” for her, she said.

Justin Johnson of Warren said employment at VXI is a “pretty good opportunity.” He applied for work the day before and was called back Wednesday.

                Johnson, who operates his own advertising and video company, believes working in a business environment like VXI would help reach his own goals. He is looking forward to advancement opportunities and “the potential for growth” within VXI, he said.

                VXI, Butcher affirmed, is “very impressed” with the performance of the call center’s current work force. “They’re doing an exceptional job. We couldn’t be prouder of these individuals,” he remarked.

VXI’s expansion is welcome news to tenants of the food court on the ground floor of 20 Federal Place, who have benefited from the call center’s presence since its opening last fall.

                “I enjoy feeding everybody. They like our product,” said Jamie Coutris, owner of the Capitol Grille, which will mark three years at 20 Federal in December. Her only request would be for staggered lunch periods. “For me, it doesn’t help if they all come down at noon,” she said.

                Pizza Joe’s has “definitely” seen an increase in sales since VXI moved into the building, said Aleen Clare, owner of the franchise operation. Workers at the call center, which operates into the evening, provide her with a customer base throughout the day, not just lunchtime, she said.

                “We can’t wait,” said Angela Keadle, manager of Junior’s, a food court vendor operated by The Rosetta Stone. “It really does bring us job security.”

Copyright 2010 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.