Ozarks Profile

President and owner of ProTel Systems and Supplies Inc., 2929 N. Eastgate. ProTel is a company specializing in high technology solutions for business and personal communication needs. Working hand in hand with companies such as Southwestern Bell, Lucent Technologies, OKI, Toshiba, Nokia and Harris and Moose, ProTel provides a comprehensive spectrum of equipment and services that includes telephone systems, complete Internet service, business and residential security and alarm systems, computer network installation, cellular phones and pagers, voice mail systems, and call center operations. Thompson began ProTel with limited resources in the basement of his home in 1982. The growth of the company since then has precipitated several business relocations, culminating in the construction of ProTel's new 18,000-square-foot building that incorporates much of the technology it sells. As an employer, ProTel continues to add jobs and will increase its work force by up to 100 employees in the next year. Thompson is a charter member of Springfield's Best, a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and a past executive board member of the Springfield Boy Scouts.

Age: 50

No. of years in Springfield/area: 21

Education: Thompson has a degree in industrial management from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Early career: "My first exposure to the working world was mowing lawns and picking strawberries as a teen. I then worked as a plumber's helper to earn my way through school." Thompson began his 11-year career with Southwestern Bell while completing his degree in 1970 and worked up to the level of manager before starting ProTel in 1982. "Deregulation hit the telephone industry, forcing the breakup of the Bell companies and an imminent transfer to St. Louis. Residing in Springfield since 1978, my family had grown to love the area, so I made the decision to resign from Southwestern Bell and take advantage of the opportunities opening up for entrepreneurs in the telecommunication business. I experienced the trepidation of leaving the security of a major company to start on my own, but fortunately the timing was right, and ProTel has experienced considerable growth and profitability from the beginning."

Current projects: "ProTel's new building has consumed a lot of my time over the past two years, and now that the company has room to grow, I am focusing on expanding and diversifying the business. Ironically, Southwestern Bell has become ProTel's largest customer and we, in turn, have become their most productive sales agent."

Management philosophy: "My most gratifying moments come from providing my customers with the tools they need to become more productive, at home or at work, and searching out the latest innovations in technology to find the right solutions for them. My management philosophy flows accordingly, making sure that customer service is foremost. I do my best to instill this thought process in our employees while providing them the opportunities to learn new skills to develop and grow with our company."

Spare-time pursuits: "My spare time is usually family time. We love to take advantage of our Table Rock Lake home during the season, another reason we're glad we stayed in the Ozarks to start our business. My individual diversion is the red, white and blue two-passenger experimental airplane I constructed and enjoy flying in Springfield and the lake area."

Family data: "My wife Bonnie and I have been married for 29 wonderful years, and we have two children. Our oldest, Scott, is 24 and works with me at ProTel, but will soon be starting his own Internet service business. Our daughter, Jennifer, is 22 and recently accepted a career position in St. Louis."