Jared Lederhandler used to travel from one city to another for face-to-face sales meetings. Though he’d visit places like New York City, there wasn’t time for sightseeing. What he saw was the inside of a taxicab, meeting room and hotel.
Now Lederhandler is helping others avoid the stresses of demanding sales jobs while cutting travel expenses. As President of the Tampa-based Newgentek, he is leading a fast-growing company serving up convenience for enterprises and hospitality chains in the restaurant and retail sectors.
Since March, the company’s team has grown about 35 percent, to a total of around 20. Expansion is expected to continue during the next two years, requiring the addition of another 15 employees.
Founded by its CEO Chon Nguyen about nine months ago, Newgentek is focusing on customized solutions, which is “resonating with our customers” and driving its growth, Nguyen says.
While Lederhandler is quick to acknowledge the advantages of face-to-face meetings, after spending 70 percent of his time traveling he also recognizes it’s not always necessary.
Higher real estate costs also have led to a larger remote workforce, so employees may no longer be congregated in one place.
“Having a digital meeting gives you the same level of output for much less input,” he says.
On the enterprise side, Newgentek offers video conferencing solutions that are tailor-made for their clients. They deploy high-quality cameras and displays, enabling businesses to collaborate wherever they are, Nguyen says.
This results in less “personal wear,” Lederhandler says.
Newgentek acts as an outsourced IT service for the restaurant industry, which has been converting from hand-written to automated ordering. Restaurants also have been using powered menu boards, offering wireless networks to their guests, and relying on printers in their kitchens.
“We partner with growing brands to make sure they are installing the right solutions,” Nguyen explains.
The company’s Tampa help desk supports clients serving locations nationwide. “A lot of the clients we’re serving today are headquartered in Tampa, but have numerous remote locations through the U.S.,” Lederhandler says.
Newgentek will be hiring for a variety of positions including sales, purchasing, project management, installation, and engineering.
The company offers competitive salaries, employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees, paid leave and profit sharing. It also holds random barbecues, which help build the team and make things fun. Check the
company’s website for the latest openings.
Because Nguyen was born and raised in Tampa, it was a natural choice for Newgentek, located at 5555 W. Waters Ave., Suite 610. “I’m very bullish on Tampa. I think we are going through a transformation as a city, and we are excited to be a part of it,” he says.
Bullish on Tampa
Yet company leaders note there are other reasons to locate or expand here. Other tech-related companies have been noticing it too -- among them TransferWise, Revature, and Vendita.
“We’re glad others are seeing it,” Lederhandler adds.
Of particular interest is the multi-unit restaurant culture, which is active in the Interstate 4 corridor through Outback Steakhouse and Darden Restaurants.
What lies ahead? “We want to make sure we’re always bringing the best newest solutions to our customers,” Nguyen says.
Lederhandler plans to continue to grow the company and invest in its employees, “at no point compromising the level of customer support and service that is our differentiator,” he says.
In other job news, Boston-based Validity has been hiring in Tampa after opening a new hub. It set out to hire 75 employees by the end of July, and may add 30 to 50 more in 2019. Staffers will be sought in sales and marketing, client services, account management, tech support, operations and human resources.
The office at 4010 Boy Scout Blvd. is the company’s second largest. “The pool of people here is just very talented,” says Don Williams, the company’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Tampa was chosen for the new hub because of its tech presence. “It was a logical place for us when we think about a ready pool of highly skilled candidates,” Williams says.
Future acquisitions are expected to fuel the need for additional staff. Learn about current openings at the
Validity website.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Brewing Co., a craft beer company in Ybor City and Westchase, is expanding its operations to meet increased demand. The popularity of its Reef Donkey American Pale Ale, now available in Publix stores, and other seasonal offerings is behind growth. Tampa Bay Brewing is investing some $700,000 into its Westchase facility, and is expected to hire 12 during the next two to three years. Check out current openings
here.