Company History

2003 Powercom expands local telephone services to Verizon service areas as well as high-speed DSL Internet in SBC service areas is introduced. New bundled service packages introduced combining Internet, local phone, and long distance services on one bill. Record profits recorded. Debt pay down well ahead of schedule.

2002 Installation of a new soft switch technology replaces the DEX 600, Harris 2020, and 800 ACP technologies. Creates new subsidiary, Powercom Communications Management (PCM) to market products to large corporations. Purchases assets of LITS, installs high-speed wireless Internet technologies. Staff reaches 80 employees. Expands Web Solutions department offering high-end dynamic Web site development.

2001 Powercom begins delivery of local phone services in Ameritech markets, sells its Web marketing business and creates new Web Solutions and Web Hosting business division.

2000 Acquires naming rights of the new Beaver Dam racetrack -- The Raceway @ Powercom Park. Begins new program (Power Partners) with race car drivers to resell Powercom services to assist in race car sponsorship. Expands Internet service in Madison by acquiring an ISP, Internet Express. Powercom begins to diversify old and new services and technologies.

1999 TCC/Powercom company name changes to Powercom. Powercom reorganizes its products to better meet customer demands. The voice mail and pager businesses are discontinued to free resources for other core businesses. Powercom decreases its long distance prices to customers by 30%. A new merger / acquisition program begins as Powercom purchases an ISP, TCBI, serving Sheboygan and Manitowoc and makes offers to purchase a number of other companies in Powercom key markets.

1998 Debt pay-down plan is declared a success. TCC/Powercom lands a major banking agreement to underwrite future expansion. A new marketing, sales and acquisition plan is implemented. TCC/Powercom is approved as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) in Wisconsin and begins planning to provide local telephone service. Dun & Bradstreet reports TCC/Powercom has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. Number of employees exceeds 60. Total sales exceed all previous years. Company is strongly profitable.

1997 TCC Communications introduces the name Powercom to its markets with the intent to change its name to TCC/Powercom in the future. Significant goals are achieved for reducing network costs. Sales and marketing efforts continue to be held to a minimum but sales remain strong.

1996 TCC begins providing Internet services to its markets. Sales and marketing efforts are held to a minimum but sales remain strong.

1995 With a view to long-term financial health, the TCC Board of Directors makes an aggressive move to pay down corporate debt over a three-year period by limiting sales and marketing expenses for 36 months. Sales remain strong to due reputation and word of mouth.

1994 TCC begins selling in a four-state region, including Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. A new corporate culture is introduced, stressing high ideals and expectations of professional conduct, resulting in further improvements in customer service.

1993 A new DEX 600 switching center is installed in Milwaukee at a cost of $1.8 million, offering huge new capacity for customers. David Larkin becomes CEO. Corporate operations are returned to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Enhanced voice mail services are introduced. TCC Long Distance changes its name to TCC Communications, Inc.

1992 Staff size doubles during the year. Bank financing is obtained for the first time. Sales begin in Minnesota and Iowa.

1991 TCC Low Cost Long Distance changes its name to TCC Long Distance to reflect the fact that the company is no longer just a price competitor. Internal reorganization includes hiring of an experienced telecom CEO and a new professional management staff. Corporate offices are relocated to Brookfield, WI.

1990 TCC continues double-digit growth during the year.

1989 1+ access for long distance is introduced; eliminating the complicated dialing process previously required by TCC, thus putting TCC on an equal technology status with large national carriers such as AT&T. TCC acquires assets of three smaller companies. Experienced sales staff produces a significant growth surge.

1988 TCC storefront operations are no longer economical due to political and network changes resulting in a significant shift in the wholesale costs incurred by TCC and other competitive long distance companies. TCC must grow quickly to survive, and installs a Harris 2020 switch in Milwaukee, nearer its network suppliers. The Governor of Wisconsin recognizes TCC for its "economic accomplishments and entrepreneurial spirit".

1987 TMCC (Telemanagement Consultants Corp.) CEO dies after a brief illness. Merry Larkin assumes corporate organization. David Larkin resigns his job as Assistant High School Principal to become CEO. TMCC is renamed TCC Low Cost Long Distance. TCC is selected by a Milwaukee venture assistance firm to receive management assistance and new capital.

1986 Business begins in earnest. The original partners hire a CEO and small sales staff. Sales are strong.

1985 Telemanagement Consultants Corporation ("TMCC") begins operations as an alternative telecommunications carrier and reseller. A small telecom switch is purchased and installed in a Beaver Dam, WI, storefront. Telephone deregulation allows the resale of long distance services at savings to the consumer of up to 80% on some types of calls.