Ozarks Profile: Dale Kammerich

Dale Kammerich

General manager, Gabriel Communications. Gabriel Communications, formed in Springfield in 1998, is an integrated communications and applications provider to small and medium-sized businesses. Gabriel offers local voice, data and video, a full range of domestic and international long distance, and a variety of high-speed Internet services, including DSL, dedicated access, Web hosting and e-commerce. Gabriel has doubled in staff since it began providing services in 1999, and now has operations in 12 cities and will be in 30 markets by the end of the year, Kammerich said. He joined Gabriel in September 1999 and is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Advisory Council, Greater Springfield Board of Realtors, Missouri Motor Carriers Association and the Missouri Alumni Association.

Age: 35

No. of years in Springfield/area: Kammerich is from Boonville and moved to Springfield when he joined Gabriel about a year ago.

Education: Kammerich attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Columbia College in Columbia and William Woods University in Fulton.

Early career: Kammerich's first job out of college was as a store manager trainee for Radio Shack in 1985. He was promoted to manager in six months, then senior manager in 1990. He accepted his first telecommunications position as a systems engineer in 1990 with a small wireless communications company, which was ultimately purchased by Ameritech, a regional Bell company. In 1993, he accepted an area manager post for Ameritech's western Missouri territories and was responsible for sales, marketing, public relations, customer service and operations. From Ameritech, he joined Gabriel in 1999.

Current projects: "Working toward the launch of a new digital subscriber line service (DSL) and expanding the number of communities in which Gabriel services are available."

Management philosophy: "Create a work environment that promotes and rewards leadership while understanding the importance of the customer. I believe you should surround yourself with capable people and give them the authority to make decisions. Customers simply deserve the benefits of empowered employees who understand their needs."

Spare-time pursuits: "I love to spend time with my family walking, bicycling, and occasionally playing a friendly game of basketball. I really enjoy reading to my children."

Family data: Kammerich and his wife Ronda have been married since 1996. They have a 1-year-old named Jack, a 3-year-old named Hannah and a 13-year-old named Whitney.