Jim Connor knows how to stay busy.
Running his own business as the president and owner of Phoenix-based ALTIUS Communications, a provider of broadband Internet access and network solutions, is just the start of Connor?s day. Between work and spending time with his wife or coaching a sports team for one of his four sons, stop is a word that seldom comes out of Connor?s mouth.
Hectic schedules and being constantly on the move were things that Connor knew he would have to get used to when he left the construction business to get into electronics.
“It just wasn?t going to be a place I could go very high,” Connor said of his former job. “But I didn?t know much about [computers].”
Today, Connor knows plenty about the business, leading ALTIUS Communications, to $2.7 millionin revenue last year. Beginning in the electronics industry a little more than 10 years ago, Connor worked for TESSCO Technologies Inc., where he developed contacts and learned the ins and the outs of the business. About 18 months ago, however, Connor decided that he wanted something more, and he set out on his own to make his vision come true.
“Jim started out [on his own] a little over a year ago,” said Andy Rosen, vice president of technology for Xanadoo, a Texas-based wireless Internet provider. “But we had dealt with him in a previous job, and his reputation and his quality of work and general demeanor made it a pretty simple decision for us to follow him into his new venture.”
After starting ALTIUS, Connor got the word out about his business by utilizing his old contacts, sending out direct mailings to the surrounding areas and sponsoring local horse races. Before long, a steady base of local clients for his broadband service emerged, while clients he provides supplies to began popping up all around the world. As ALTIUS keeps expanding, it now has 160 clients, the juggling act appears to be something that Connor is more than capable of handling.
“I have no end in sight,” Connor laughed. “My kids always tell me that they want to take over the family business.”
Despite being so busy, Connor does find occasionally find the time to get away. And when he does, he has his favorite place for some peace and quiet waiting for him down in St. Michael?s.
“I love being out on the boat,” Connor said. “I?ll keep it in the water and say, ?I just want to get out on it one more time.? ”
Jim Connor
» First job: Delivering newspapers
» Education/credentials: Bachelor?s of Science from Towson University
» Best job perk: Doing whatever he wants to do
» Daily e-mails received: 150
» Daily voice mails received: 15
» Essential Web sites: Google
» Career objective: To grow his company into one of the best suppliers of broadband wireless and WiMAX equipment in the world
» Favorite gadget: Cell phone
» Hometown: Baltimore
» Birth date: April 23, 1965
» Original aspirations: To become a marine biologist, after a visit to SeaWorld as a 10-year-old
» Sports/hobbies: Golfing, fishing and his children
