Outbound Call Center Featured Article

American Teleservices Association Appoints Phil Grudzinski as New CEO

By Madhubanti Rudra
TMCnet Contributor

The National Board of Directors for the American Teleservices Association ("ATA") is pleased to announce that Phil Grudzinski has been named chief executive officer, effective immediately.

According to a press release, American Teleservices Association ("ATA") has selected its new chief executive officer. On behalf of the organization, ATA’s National Board of Directors announced the name of Phil Grudzinski as the association’s new CEO.

Grudzinski formerly served as chairman of the ATA Board of Directors for four years. Prior to that, he held senior management roles in some blue-chip companies such as American Express (News - Alert), General Electric and Sears Roebuck and Company.

In his 20 year career, Grudzinski played leadership roles in diverse industries including retail, corporate, direct marketing and financial services. While holding key management positions in the arena of general management, direct marketing and financial environments, he has been credited with driving growth and large scale change in complex, multi-matrixed organizations, using teleservices as a primary distribution and service channel, ATA officials noted.

“Phil’s extensive experience with the ATA and the teleservices channel and his proven leadership in transforming business practices made him the best person for the position,” said Chair Emeritus of the ATA Board of Directors, Lisa DeFalco. DeFalco led the Executive Search Committee that considered candidates.

ATA said that its executive search committee carefully considered the successes the ATA attained in the past and the anticipated challenges in the coming years. According to the search committee members, Grudzinski has the right combination of knowledge and initiative to further the association’s objectives and secure a bright future for the association. 

The formal launch of a CEO-hunt was announced by ATA back in May. ATA launched its search for a new chief executive officer to serve as a permanent replacement to predecessor CEO, Tim Searcy.

“On behalf of the entire ATA Board of Directors, I would also like to acknowledge Bob Kobek, who in the capacity of Interim President fully maintained the forward momentum of the ATA as we undertook this search and selection process so vital to our future success. We are indeed fortunate for Bob’s leadership,” DeFalco added.

Back in January, The National Board of Directors for ATA named Robert Kobek to serve as interim president as part of the Board's succession plan involving the announced departure of its current CEO, Tim Searcy.

In his statement Grudzinski said, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the ATA in this capacity. We are positioned today to advance the interests of the industry and consumers in ways that would have been unimaginable even five years ago. Our members are committed to the association and tirelessly support our causes and initiatives. I truly believe our best years are yet to come. I’m excited to assume the leadership of the association at this pivotal moment.

In the release, ATA revealed that a new Chair will be announced in October, 2011 at the ATA’s Washington Summit. In the interim the duties and obligations of the Chair will be fulfilled by Vice Chair Mark Boehmer.