The Argo Story

Experienced Senior Executive with a background in General Manager/Business Unit Leader roles with extensive experience in Operations, Information Technology, Sales, Business Development, Product Management, Development and Marketing. Deep background in technology, with focus on SaaS/Cloud solutions; telecommunication services (audio, web, video and IP services), BPO (inbound, outbound, and automated service), and ITO (outsourced data center, application and processes). Played leadership roles in North America, EMEA and APAC.

Mike has been a successful leader in multiple industries and verticals. He has built multiple growth BPO businesses with one that grew from $15M in revenue to $232M in 4 years that generated 2x+ the profitability of industry averages.

As a senior leader at InterCall, Mike played a key role in the growth of the business from $650M in revenue to $1.3B. Providing global leadership and support of Operations, Product, Product Development, Infrastructure, and BackOffice during most of his tenure. Mike also had accountability for the full P&L in EMEA and APAC for 3 years driving 26% CAGR from a base $89M. He also drastically cut costs of over $42M annually while increasing NPS scores to over 50% in operational and infrastructure roles.

Over the last 4 years where he owned the full P&L, Mike built a digital media (audio, web, video IP based webcasting) business through acquisition, partnering agreements, product development as well as the go-to-market, marketing capabilities, and operational competencies (NPS over 65%) to enable a business that is on track to drive ~ 20% growth in 2016 with similar planned growth in 2017. Growth has enabled an outstanding level of profitability with EBITDA of over 31% with projected growth in 2017 to 36% in the digital media business.

Lou Jablonski is a senior independent advisor on the outsourced services industry, and currently is President at LJJ Associates. Lou provides one-on-one coaching and consultative services to executives in need of an honest view on effective Board interaction, personal development, strategic direction, and performance assessment. Lou has also been called upon as an expert witness in the services industry.

Previously, he was CEO at Conduit (formerly kgb Wholesale, 2009 – 2012), the world’s largest independent provider of directory assistance and outsourced contact center services operating in the US, Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, and the Philippines. Lou has held senior executive positions with Stream Global Services, Teletech Holdings, Convergys, and AT&T, where he spent over 25 years. Lou’s focus is on strategic business direction, effective client management, and business growth/profitability. He has engineered major turnarounds, and architected corporate alliances, including the purchase and sale of businesses ranging in size from $15 million to $750 million.

Additionally, Lou Jablonski has become a knowledgeable and active player in the not-for profit space. He has served on the Board of Directors of National Industries for the Blind (Alexandria, VA) since 2010, including serving as Chairman of the Board. Further, Lou is a member of the Board of Advisors of the National Kidney Foundation of Greater New York. As a result of his service to these organizations, and others, Lou is often sought for his counsel and assistance in hiring executive talent, developing strategic plans, and identifying candidates for Board service.

Mark Veyette created Veyette Insights upon leaving AT&T in July of 2014 shortly after AT&T acquired Cricket Communications. Veyette was the CIO and had just completed a successful transformation of the IT organization when AT&T purchased Cricket.

As President of Veyette Insights, Mark is now taking his 35 years of experience and helping others as an executive coach and IT executive consultant. Prior to Cricket Communications, Veyette was the CTO at Startek where he reduced the cost structure of the IT organization making the company more profitable but also introduced the industry of BPO to new forms of support including social media as a channel. Previously, Veyette held executive IT positions at T-Mobile, EchoStar (also known as Dish Network), AT&T Broadband, MediaOne, Continental Cable and AT&T. Veyette has more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, cable, satellite television and mobile industries. His leadership is well known for delivering results in IT Transformation, Innovation, Software and Service Delivery, Process Improvement Management, Total Quality Management, Operational Optimizations, and Organizational Turnarounds.

Veyette earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Seton Hall University. He currently resides in the Denver area with his wife. Mark and Donna’s three children are grown and are providing much joy with watching them succeed in life and one fabulous grandchild.

Phil is a senior leader in operations with a strong background in finance. He has extensive experience enhancing the value of financial results, customer satisfaction and employee engagement across the enterprise. He has led large complex customer management servicing solutions, delivering revenue/cost improvements and customer experience excellence. Phil’s prior experience includes leadership positions at West Corporation, Convergys and AT&T. He received his BS degree in business from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the University of North Florida.

Leisa is the Vice President of Human Resources for the ITC Capital Partner’s portfolio of companies. Mrs. Chastain is responsible for directing a strategic leadership team in the areas of performance management, training and organizational development, compliance and diversity, employment and recruitment, and benefits administration, plus numerous mergers and acquisitions.

Leisa has over 20 years of experience encompassing several start-up and continuing phase companies in both the public and private sectors. She has held leadership roles with total accountability for all HR functions through strategy and implementation of core competencies within Human Resources to include affirmative action, employee relations, recruitment and retention, leadership development, compensation, and payroll. Mrs. Chastain has vast experience in development and implementation of Affirmative Action Plans for multiple locations and is a certified instructor for Development Dimensions International with additional studies in Labor and Employment Relations.

Prior to joining ITC Capital Partners, Leisa was Vice President of Human Resources of Synapse Wireless, an M2M technology services company, and previously Director of Human Resources for Knology, Inc., a publicly held broadband services company.

Michael has been building relationships and developing new business solutions with BPO clients for over 18 years. Mike’s experience brings a deep knowledge of partnered contact center and back office solutions from his years with AT&T, Convergys, StarTek and others global firms, supporting industry leaders in Cable/Satellite/Telecommunications, Banking & Financial Services, eCommerce & Retail, Travel & Logistics, Technology and Healthcare. Mike earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, and graduate degree in International Commerce and Law from the American University of Paris, France.

Brandon joined Argo in 2012 with four years of previous contact center experience and 6 years serving our country as a U.S. Marine. Today, Brandon leads the adept IT team and serves our Clients and the Argo organization as the Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Security Officer. He plays the lead role in assessing and applying innovative technologies to Argo’s services portfolio. As CISO, Brandon is responsible for ensuring operational compliance and security on behalf of our Clients. Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and fishing, and volunteering for the Hartland Fire Department.

Nicole joined Argo over ten years ago as a Customer Service Representative. Due to her adept skills with customers, Clients and business acumen she has grown into a cornerstone leader as Call Center Manager with the responsibility for multiple locations and now facilitating Client Relations and performance. Nicole has tremendous experience leading many facets of the organization and has been highly effective in managing Clients.  Her focus as VP of Customer Experience is on developing Argo’s operations leaders, helping nurture our existing Client relationships and partnering on framing and implementing new business opportunities.

Kevin joined the Argo team in 2012, bringing a wealth of experience in managing successful customer service programs. Over the past 13 years, Kevin has worked through each level of the call center, starting as a phone representative all the way to the Client Services Department. He brings a strong understanding of call center data and proactively finds a resolution to challenges that arise. With his dedication and extensive experience, today Kevin leads Argo’s Client Services and Implementation Team. Kevin and his team facilitate the Client relationship from implementation to successful daily operations offering concierge services with dedicated account management. His key responsibilities include Client retention, growth and service expansion across our current customer base. Kevin also plays a major role in the solution design and implementation for new opportunities.

Patricia (Tricia) has worked at Argo since 2012 and joined the Business Development Department in 2014. While enrolled in college, Tricia worked as a Customer Service Representative both in the office and remotely. During the summer of 2013, Tricia served as the Executive Assistant to the former CEO of Argo. Her responsibilities in this position included, but were not limited to, managing the CEO’s schedule on a daily basis, attending executive level meetings, event planning and coordination for client visits, and other administrative support functions. Tricia has also been a part of the Social Media Management Team and the Rapid Response Team where she managed clients’ social media platforms, responded to customers’ email inquiries, processed returns/refunds using various CRM platforms, and handled chargeback mitigation services all on behalf of Argo’s clients. After graduating from Endicott College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2014, Tricia started her career in the Business Development Department as an Executive Assistant. She was quickly promoted to Business Development Specialist, responsible for prospecting and on-boarding new clients as well as networking and building mutually beneficial relationships with other business professionals in the industry. Tricia was promoted to Business Development Manager in 2018 which is her current position; she is highly involved in new business development and account setup, project management, event planning and coordination, as well as marketing and public relations for ITC Argo.