|
computers and voice message recorders, Answer Midwest provides businesses with a warm, caring and reassuring voice," owner
Gary Tedrick said.
The 20 full- and part-time employees of Answer Midwest work 24/7 to answer more than 120,000 calls per month for some 600
clients.
Tedrick is a native of the River Bend area, having been raised in Wood River and graduating from Roxana High School. After
seven years with Alton Boxboard, Tedrick signed on with AT&T, where he worked for 12 years as a systems consultant.
"In 1984, I was working for AT&T in Kansas City," he said, "and I was able to make a lateral move back to Alton. In 1991,
I was caught in the throws of a national layoff, but as it turned out, it was the best thing that ever happened to me."
A fellow member of Tedrick's church, Faith Covenant Church in Alton, introduced Tedrick to Vera Randolph, the owner of the
Answering Service of Alton and the Physicians and Surgeons Exchange. It didn't take long for Tedrick and his wife, Lee Ann, to
buy the business.
"We believe it was the Lord's leading," he said. "The business has become a family affair. For the past four years, our
daughter, Jennifer Schulz, who has a strong business mind, has served as our administrative manager."
Tedrick said the company's revenues have quadrupled since 1991.
"This business is unique in that we never close," says Tedrick. "Not Christmas, not Easter - never. In fact, holidays are
busy for us. We answer the phone when others don't."
|
Freeing professionals from answering the phone so they can be more productive in their own specialty areas, Tedrick said,
is Answer Midwest's objective.
"We permit people, from physicians to tree trimmers, to focus on what they do best," he said. "We help them get organized."
Tedrick attributes his company's long-term success to the right combination of high tech and high touch. The high touch
component, he said, is provided by employees who are specially selected for the task. "Of course we look for a good phone
voice," he said. "No slang, no slurring of speech, and most importantly, an overall positive person who has the ability to
reassure a caller."
Answer Midwest's high-tech component is up-to-date equipment that records every call, which is particularly important to
physicians, and other professionals who are regularly exposed to litigation. The telecommunications infrastructure also
permits Answer Midwest to place orders, sell products and provide information, Tedrick said.
As much as he enjoys his business, Tedrick also enjoys community involvement. He was instrumental in founding the
Congressional Prayer Breakfast, involving 12th District Democratic Congressmen Jerry Costello and 20th District Republican
Congressman John Shimkus.
staff writer: Kurt Prenzler
email: kprenzler@ibjonline.com
|
