A Wireless Gains Levinson as Chief Operating Officer

GREENVILLE, N.C., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- A Wireless, an Exclusive Premium Retailer for Verizon Wireless, has hired Scott Levinson as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Levinson will oversee business operations, marketing and strategic planning for the 110-store company which is currently in a period of high growth. Working closely with A Wireless's management team, Levinson's focus will be on ensuring operational effectiveness and driving profitability.

Levinson brings a wealth of wireless industry knowledge and experience to A Wireless,

having spent his entire career in this sector. Most recently, Levinson served as president of Affordable Portables in Santa Ana, CA, where he was responsible for 31 AT&T Mobile authorized retail locations. As president, Levinson was the key decision maker in all aspects of the business including marketing, sales, finance, human resources, and information systems.

Prior to Levinson's time with Affordable Portables, he served as Vice President of Professional Services for iQmetrix in Centennial, CO. During his time with iQmetrix, Levinson developed business intelligence reporting software that helped increase acquisition of new clients.

Rich Balot, CEO of A Wireless, sought out to hire an experienced professional who shared his business philosophy and who could direct the company during this time of expansion. Equally as important to Balot was selecting an individual who would fit into and uphold the company culture.

"Choosing a seasoned industry insider was vitally important in order to maintain the momentum of the company while delivering on the vision to grow.   After meeting Scott, the decision was simple," stated Balot. "He had the experience I was looking for, but most importantly, Scott shares our values of ownership and accountability. Scott understands how to leverage our investments in people, inventory, and retail locations to develop the company to its potential."

Levinson graduated from the University of Arizona in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Prior to his formal education, Levinson learned the basics of the wireless business from his father who was heavily involved in the industry.

Relocating his family to the east coast was a decision Levinson did not take lightly. He knew in order to uproot his family, he would not only need to feel confident about his new role with the company, but also have a strong connection to the core values of the business and its owner.

"Rich and I share the same beliefs about business and the importance of family. We both come from similar backgrounds and our approaches to business are the same." stated Levinson. "A Wireless is highly respected among our partners and peers which greatly eases the expansion process.  The staff at A Wireless is a vibrant and energetic group who I am excited to collaborate with and join in taking the company to the next level."

A Wireless was founded as a partnership in October 1996 in Wilson, North Carolina and incorporated as ABC Phones of North Carolina, Inc. in 1999. The privately-held company, headquartered in Greenville, North Carolina, is an Exclusive Premium Retailer for Verizon Wireless and employs over 700 people at 110 locations in eight states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.vzawireless.com.

Verizon Communications Inc., headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.

SOURCE A Wireless