FM Sept 04_PDF.qxd - Orlando Chamber of Commerce

Putting Down the Roots
Chamber leader is dedicated to enhancing regional high tech communications.
By Tracey Velt
Whether you’re subscribing to
or modifying a communications
service, looking online at your
wireless, cable or long distance bill,
or contacting (via phone or Web)
your computer company, telephone
company or financial institution,
the chances are you’re talking to a
Convergys employee or interacting
with a Convergys system.
“I think that does a good job of
illustrating the extent to which we
have roots in the [Central Florida]
community,” says Jeff Gordon,
Convergys’ Senior Vice President
of Core Products.
And roots are what Gordon put
down personally in Central Florida
seven years ago when he joined
Convergys, the world’s largest
supplier of outsourced billing
services and outsourced call-center
operations. “I was a customer for
three years before joining Convergys
as an employee,” he says.
Gordon is responsible for the
strategy, management and development
of billing related products
covering the wireless, wireline,
cable/broadband and content
markets. Prior to that, Gordon held
numerous systems and product
development positions at Bell
Atlantic and IBM.
“Central Florida is a viable
environment for successful
technology companies,” he says.
“Several years ago, when we were
looking for a community where
we could hire a strong workforce of
skilled, tech-savvy, energetic people,
we chose Central Florida.”
Chamber Connection
Both Gordon and Convergys are
committed to helping technology
businesses in Central Florida, and over
the years the company has developed
strong ties with the Orlando Regional
Chamber of Commerce in order to
help achieve these goals.
Convergys has been an active
member of the Chamber for several
years. Jim Orr, the company’s President,
Chairman and CEO, has presented at a
previous Chamber Trustees luncheon,
and Gordon himself was honored to
speak and introduce Convergys at
another Chamber-hosted luncheon.
“The Chamber has helped me
gain awareness of key issues in the
community,” says Gordon. “It has
also allowed me to get to know a
network of community leaders who
I’ve been able to call upon to help
grow both Convergys’ business
and other business opportunities
in the region.”
Jeff Gordon
Gordon believes that by
maintaining an active network of
leaders in the area and providing a
regular flow of information on new
developments, the Chamber benefits
small businesses by providing the
visibility and contacts to ensure they
are fully integrated into the region’s
business community.
In addition to the benefits the
Chamber offers him and his company,
Gordon believes in helping the
community in a variety of ways.
Convergys founded the Hispanic
Scholarship Council of Central
Florida in 1995 and has awarded
thousands of scholarship dollars
to Hispanic students for excellence
in academic achievement and
community service.
Additionally, Convergys sponsors
Inroads, a mentoring and internship
program, and contributes to the
University of Central Florida
Foundation, which enables students
with strong academic standing to
attend the university.
Gordon also notes that Convergys
employees are very active with Crooms
Academy, a technical high school.
“We provide guidance to the students
by way of shadowing days and other
activities,” he says. In fact, Convergys
recently was awarded the Business
Commissioner’s Recognition award
for its involvement with Crooms.
“In speaking at the Chamber
luncheon a few years ago, I was
looking for a way to connect
Convergys more clearly to the
community,” remembers Gordon.
“As I thought about it, I realized
that nearly every household in the
Orlando area usually interacts with
Convergys multiple times a month.
That’s quite a connection.”
Upcoming
Listening to
Leaders Forums
Leadership Alumni introduced the new
Listening to Leaders Series two years ago.
In 2004, this series of six breakfast forums
has been designed to continue the learning
experience that started with Leadership
Orlando. Speakers offer insights into the
practices that have helped them achieve
success in their fields and offer suggestions
on strategies those attendees can use to
become better leaders. Two Listening to
Leaders forums remain in this year’s series.
SEPTEMBER 17 New Date!
Hubbs-Sea World
Research Institute
Featuring Dr. Duane DeFreese, Florida Vice
President of Research for Hubbs-Sea World
Research Institute (HSWRI). Dr. De Freese
is responsible for scientific research development,
strategic planning, fund-raising, and
construction of a new world-class facility for
marine research, conservation and education
to be built on the Indian River Lagoon in
Brevard County. The HSWRI “Marine and
Coastal Research Center” will serve as
an operational center for marine research
projects with SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery
Cove, NASA, and other Florida and national
marine science partners and associations.
NOVEMBER 10
Lockheed Martin
Speakers will include the Presidents of the
three Lockheed Martin companies located
in Central Florida: Joseph R. Cleveland,
Lockheed Martin Chief Information Officer
and President, Enterprise Information
Systems; Stanley R. Arthur, President,
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control;
and Dan J. Crowley, President, Lockheed
Martin Simulation, Training and Support.
Listening to Leaders is generously sponsored
by our Leadership Stewards: Joseph Terry of Bank
of America, Anne Chinoda of Florida’s Blood
Centers, Richard Fryer of IFREC Real Estate
Schools, Inc.; Betsy Culpepper of Orlando
Regional Healthcare, Roseann Harrington of
OUC — The Reliable One; and Thomas Pellarin
of PBS&J.
Register online at www.orlando.org.
Admission is complimentary for paid members
of Leadership Alumni. All others pay $15 in
advance or $20 at the door.
FM SEPTEMBER 2004 27