Protel founder sells company to employees

In June 2005, Thompson entered into a three-year buyout agreement with managers Bruce Jones, Randy Harris and Shane Taylor. The transition culminated Tuesday, with Thompson conveying his stock to the new owners and officially retiring from the 26-year-old telecommunications company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jones is now president; Harris is vice president in charge of installation; and Taylor is vice president in charge of call-center operations. Jones was Protel’s first employee, and Harris was the second.

Protel sells voice, data and security equipment and services. The company also represents AT&T, Qwest and Nuvox as major sales agents throughout most of the country, according to a news release. Springfield Business Journal recognized Protel with an Economic Impact Award in 2000, and the company was one of SBJ’s Dynamic Dozen honorees this year.

Thompson started the company in a spare room in the basement of his home in 1982 after resigning from a 12-year career at AT&T. Since then, the company has grown to 60 employees and represents some of the largest telecom service providers and manufacturers. Protel headquarters is near the junction of Interstate 44 and U.S. Highway 65 at 2929 N. Eastgate Ave.

Jones said the transition plan effectively allowed a gradual changing of the guard at Protel.

“Steve has only been working three days a week over the last year and that has forced both him and others to make the necessary changes in duties,” he said. “As new owners, we have many new ideas we are anxious to implement that will be good for the company and our thousands of customers.”

Thompson said he and wife Bonnie plan to retire to their lake house in Kimberling City, spend time with their grandchildren and travel.

See SBJ’s July 7 issue for more about the change in ownership at Protel.