|
TAG changes name to reflect realities on ground and NextRidge to climb
Albany, New York - April 17, 2006
Starting today, Telecommunications Analysis Group Inc. has a new name--NextRidge Inc.
"We feel [the name] now accurately reflects what we're becoming, as opposed to what we've been," said Shaun Mahoney, NextRidge's president and CEO. "Our vision for NextRidge is to build a portfolio of service companies focused on taking organizations to the next level."
Under the NextRidge umbrella are Raize Professional and Raize Technical search firms; NextRidge Leadership Institute, formerly the eMerging Manager Training Program, a partnership with Siena College to help organizations train managers; TAGSolutions, a voice and data communications provider; and Advanced Network Services, an installer of telecommunications services for clients including Verizon, SBC and Motorola.
Looking for the next peak
TAG began its life as an installer of phone systems. The Menands company made Inc. magazine's Fastest 500 list three years in a row, growing to 800 employees. Then the dot-com bubble burst and the telecommunications industry plummeted.
TAG saw its revenue fall from $50 million in 2001 to $8 million the next year.
"Spending stopped dead," Mahoney said.
But over time, TAG acquired other companies and added services not related to telecommunications, such as recruiting and training.
Last year, TAG had sales of $28 million. NextRidge expects to end 2006 with revenue of $32 million, the second-highest in the company's 15-year history.
Terri Fallon, who is participating in the eMerging Manager Training Program, said the change to NextRidge seems like a logical move.
"If the nature of their business is changing such that they're not only doing telecom work, then a name change makes sense," said Fallon, who is marketing and client relations director for VersaTrans Solutions Inc. "As a marketing person, I love the name NextRidge. Always looking for the next peak. I love it."
The name change has reinvigorated NextRidge's staff of 250, said Mahoney.
"It's creating a lot of excitement within the company," he said. "It's the next ridge for us.
Carol Lewick, a senior vice president of insurance firm Rose & Kiernan Inc., which is a client of TAGSolutions, the name change doesn't make any difference.
"From my perspective, I'm still going to have the same people that are helping me," she said, "and I'm still going to dial the same phone number."
rderrico@bizjournals.com | 518-640-6807
About
NextRidge
NextRidge,
Inc., a corporation headquartered in Albany, New York,
is a management holding company that provides diversified
management services and investment capital to businesses
within the northeast United States.
NextRidge,
Inc. is the parent company of ANS Advanced Network
Services, LLC, NextRidge Capital, LLC, Raize Staffing
Solutions, LLC and TAG Solutions, LLC. Through its
management team and committed employees located in
Albany, the company provides business management services
and investment capital to these portfolio companies.
<<<
back to News
|
