Ben Humphreys - Comtel Communications and Simplicity VOIP

As posted online at richmond.com and in the December 14th print version of the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Title: President and CEO of Comtel Communications and Simplicity VOIP.  Comtel is a Henrico County-based telecom and technology consulting firm.  Simplicity VOIP is a VOIP provider for businesses.

Born: 1967 in Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University, 1990.

Career: Started Comtel Communications in December 1991, serving as president ever since; started Simplicity VoIP in 2013.

In which part of town do you live? River Road corridor.

Best business decision: “Starting Simplicity VOIP.”

Worst business decision: “Early in the game, I outsourced our client services to another state before I realized that providing those services locally is our greatest asset.”

Mistake you learned the most from: “During the telecom bust, we should have diversified more instead utilizing only a handful of providers.”

What is the biggest challenge/opportunity in the next two to five years? “Staying ahead of the rapid pace of change in technology and ensuring we continue to bring those products and services to our clients effectively and efficiently.”

First job after college: “A six-month contract with International Voyager Media, which operated the port lecturer program for Admiral Cruises, owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. This program insured passenger satisfaction and quality control with the merchants that the line recommended.”

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? “Never explain, never complain.”

Book that inspired you the most: “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” by Verne Harnish.

Favorite/least favorite subject in school: Favorite: history. Least favorite: algebra.

See the online newspaper version by clicking here:  http://www.richmond.com/business/local/article_91104c11-3d34-5a3b-97ed-05e774268e39.html


More About Ben

About Simplicity

Simplicity VoIP, based in Richmond, VA, provides hosted PBX, VoIP and business telephone solutions nationally to small, medium, and enterprise-level businesses for a comprehensive unified communications experience. Two distinct Class 5 geo-redundant VoIP platforms are offered in addition to fax-to-email, phones and equipment, and managed services. Named as Richmond’s 11th fastest growing company by Richmond BizSense, Simplicity VoIP’s key to success is its on-site service, installation and training supported 24/7/365 by a world-class client services team.