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| photography by Vanessa Gavalya |
Dieter Thompson spent 14 years in the telecom industry, logging time at AT&T and elsewhere, when he decided to use his knowledge to help other companies get more bang for their IT buck. In 2001, he founded Thompson Advisory Group and has since helped big names like Neiman Marcus, Sabre, and Staples save money—sometimes even millions of dollars—while they enjoy optimal telecommunications services. The Dallas-based company recently launched Intelitrak, a new service that gives companies access to more than a dozen specialized services from TAG and its technology partners. Thompson’s firm, some 27 employees strong, is on pace to record nearly $7 million in revenue this year.
Age: 42
Title/Company: President and CEO/TAG
Tenure: Five years
What was your first job? Inside sales rep for Industrial Steel Product in West Memphis; I passed up the opportunity to be a Playtex feminine products representative for the Memphis market (seriously).
What was your worst job? I drove a forklift for a trucking company during the graveyard shift.
If you couldn’t say the people I work with, what would you say is the best part of your job?
Definitely the flexibility and lifestyle that TAG’s structure facilitates.
What’s the worst part?
Dealing with clients that are slow to pay.
On weekends, where would people find you?
Possum Kingdom Lake.
What book is currently on your nightstand?
I generally do not read books, but I power-read more than 30 magazines a month.
What’s your favorite TV show?
I do not follow any television shows.
What Web sites do you visit most frequently?
www.i-tag.net and www.itunes.com.
What’s your most recent major purchase?
Sea Ray Sundancer 44.
What’s your biggest regret?
Missing the dot.com opportunities.
What do you consider to be your biggest weakness?
Struggling to be satisfied.
What’s the best advice anyone ever told you?
Don’t believe that it can’t be done, and never follow the herd. Conventional wisdom is for small-minded thinkers.
