September 9 Declared the Official KUDUCOM Day by State, County and City Officials
Tampa, FLA. (Sept. 6, 2023) – Tampa’s premiere telecommunications provider, KUDUCOM™, is elated to announce the official declaration of September 9 as KUDUCOM Day. Following the official proclamations from the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the Office of the Governor, KUDUCOM is honored to observe the first official day in recognition of their service to the region, later this week.
“We have worked hard for over 25 years to grow this company to what it has become today. The proclamations are a deeply moving reminder of that incredible journey,” said Martine Yaldor, Co-Founder and CFO. “I’m proud to be able to share this day with not only my family but our amazing staff and clientele.”
The proclamations, awarded by Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, City of Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, will be proudly displayed in the company’s Tampa offices. The displays will offer a bold reminder for staff and visitors alike of the impact that KUDUCOM has shared in its many years of providing dedicated service. All statements were written to recognize the business as a “proven resource for local businesses to evolve and grow, acting as the framework for business innovation.”
KUDUCOM Senior Vice President of Sales, James Neely said, “I’m proud to join a company that believes in the work they perform and actively fosters the ever-evolving business ecosystem of the Tampa Bay area. We’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to the clients and partners that have helped us achieve this significant milestone.”
According to Yaldor, September 9 was selected as KUDUCOM Day to commemorate the company’s designation as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), a defining moment in their nearly 25-year history. This appointment by the state ranks them among the established telecommunications providers that offer coverage to the area’s businesses, in competition with the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC). This year, September 9 will not only mark the celebration of such a milestone but will offer a welcome day of reflection and celebration, amongst their staff, clients, and supporters throughout the region.
KUDUCOM welcomes its supporters to join in the celebration of its official day of recognition by sharing their stories and experiences with the business across social media and with staff. They’re proud to be Tampa’s number one resource for safe, reliable, and fast internet and voice services, this September 9, and always!
It’s official: KUDUCOM’s Kudu has a Name!
Meet Bekele: The Kudu representing Tampa’s premier local communications provider
TAMPA, Fla. (August 11, 2023)- Today, KUDUCOM wrapped up its “Name the Kudu” social media contest, earning a name for its official mascot. After three weeks of submissions, three finalists were chosen by KUDUCOM™ leadership as possibilities for the Kudu’s name – Bekele, Enzi, and Nguvu. The three names were pitted against each other in a public poll on Facebook, and Bekele came out on top.
Heidi Damon of Tampa Bay Constructors is the face behind the winning name, “Bekele”- a name of Ethiopian origin meaning to flourish, that is also commonly associated with strength, wisdom and maturity. Damon is being awarded the grand prize, including a pair of Tampa Bay Lightning tickets, and a VIP Package to Busch Gardens, packed with four tickets for entry, a parking pass, and quick queue. When asked how she came to decide on the unique and significant name, Damon attributed her success to ample research.
“I researched everything from names that would be appropriate for an animal of that origin, to the name and language’s origin, and of course the meaning. I felt that this name, given the meaning, truly represented KUDUCOM and what it stands for.” Damon added.
In recognition of their effort and creativity, both runners up will also receive prize packages from other local businesses and attractions. First runner up Darcel Schouler with the name “Enzi” will receive a prize basket from ZooTampa at Lowry Park with four tickets for entry, along with a $50 gift certificate to Top Golf. Mike Davids with the name “Nguvu” will receive the third-place prize, including a six-month membership to MOSI for a party of five, and a $50 gift card to Bouzy Hyde Park. Both runners up will also receive a pair of Lightning tickets, courtesy of KUDUCOM.
“This contest was something different than anything we’ve ever done,” said KUDUCOM’s Senior Vice President of Sales, James Neely, “We’re proud to have brought together people and businesses from all over the region to join in embracing our brand like never before. We’d like to extend our many thanks to all who participated and a big congratulations to the finalists.”
KUDUCOM’s latest initiative is just one example of their aptitude towards innovation, creativity and genuine customer-centric values. The contest, which was open to the public via all social media channels, allowed audiences to fully interact with KUDUCOM and explore the brand’s South African heritage. KUDUCOM™ would like to extend its gratitude to all the participants as well as the local businesses who helped make the giveaway possible, including Bouzy, TopGolf, Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, and MOSI.
Ryan Yaldor, Chief Technology Officer for KUDUCOM, contributes “Redefining Communication: Embracing Omnichannel Experience in the Hybrid Work Era” to TBBW
Ryan Yaldor, Chief Technology Officer for KUDUCOM, recently contributed an article titled, “Redefining Communication: Embracing Omnichannel Experience in the Hybrid Work Era” to Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
In the article, Yaldor discusses the importance of Omnichannel communication for businesses in a growing hybrid work environment, the advantages of cloud contact centers, and the technology behind providing a better customer-centric experience for businesses.
To read the full article, click here.
KUDUCOM’s Rebekah Nault Moderated South Tampa Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle Breakfast Event Today Featuring Jason Woody, President & CEO of Lions World Institute
Ybor City, Fla. (July 25, 2023) – Rebekah Nault, the Director of Business Development for KUDUCOM™ and Immediate Past Chair of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce (STCOC) Executive Committee got up close and personal with a sit-down fireside chat with Jason Woody for a group of invite-only attendees comprised of the Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle and Trustee Members.
According to Woody, it all starts with organ, eye, and tissue donation. “After more than 30+ years of serving the organization, as much as we grow, ‘everything’ we do rotates around the donors and their families, and equally, the recipients and their families. We collectively serve as stewards of a very special gift.”
A large part of the discussion focused not only on the rich history of Lions World Vision Institute (formerly Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research), but the recent acquisition and renaming after joining forces with SightLife US Eye Bank in Seattle to become the world’s largest combined non-profit research center, eye bank operation, and distributor of novel tissue processing techniques and services.
Woody concluded, “We recognize the incredible generosity of tissue donors and their families. In honor of the donor, we offer a variety of programs to provide support to the families and celebrate the life of their loved one. Lions World Vision Institute recovered tissue from more than 10,000 cornea donors and 650 tissue donors in 2022, restoring sight and enhancing the lives of over 20,000 people throughout the United States and in over 75 countries around the world through transplantation. You can save and transform lives by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor today.”
In support of their client and fellow Kudu Nault, KUDUCOM’s SVP of Sales James Neely and Solution Specialist Whitney Olive attended the event.
KUDUCOM WELCOMES NEW KEY PLAYER TO ITS SALES TEAM
TAMPA Fla. (July 07, 2023) – Erik Huffman has joined Kuducom’s ranks as part of their sales team. Huffman came to the company after 17 years at a national communications service provider. Acting as a Strategic Account Manager in his last role, Huffman decided to make the leap in pursuit of the unique company culture, with customer-centric values and commitment to the community.
“Erik brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the table, which has been a welcome asset to our enterprise sales team. We’re proud to welcome him to the world of true, people-focused sales with Kuducom.” Said Senior Vice President of Sales, James Neely.
Over his 20-plus year career in communications services, sales and marketing, Huffman developed a strong rapport with local business owners, mainly throughout the many hotel chains and establishments in Pinellas County. Given this track record, Huffman fits extremely well as part of Kuducom’s strategic effort to expand their presence across Tampa Bay. However, for Erik, what drew him to this position was the high standard by which Kuducom’s clients are treated.
“At Kuducom, our job is to bring clients the products they will use, and they can afford. I’ve never been one to try and sell a customer something they didn’t need, and that mindset is welcome here. At Kuducom, your customer’s needs come first, then your quota,” said Huffman with pride for his new company. He continued by commending the team effort that Kuducom’s staff upholds, saying, “if we as a team can’t create the best solution for the client, we won’t do it.”
Kuducom, a veteran in the telecommunications space with over 25-years of business-to-business experience, has continued to grow and expand its team this past year, including welcoming James Neely as Senior VP of Sales, and promoting long-time staff member Rebekah Nault to Director of Business Development, and now Huffman, a welcome addition to an already hefty lineup leaders.
KUDUCOM RUNS CONTEST TO PUT A NAME TO THE HORNS
TAMPA Fla. (June 15, 2023)- KUDUCOM™ is calling on their social media followers to name their new beloved mascot: the African kudu. The “Name the Kudu” contest, a social media campaign celebrating the organization’ recent rebranding, gives audiences a chance to let their voices be heard.
To enter, followers can suggest a name for the kudu featured in KUDUCOM’s new logo. Each entry is a chance to win an exciting lineup of prizes from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa, the Museum of Science and Inquiry and gift cards to Top Golf and Bouzy Hyde Park. KUDUCOM will also sponsor a pair of tickets to the Tampa Bay Lightning for each of the three finalists.
“We’re so proud of the work we’ve put in to give our company a new look and feel. We have and always will put customers at the center of everything we do, so who better to name our kudu than the customers themselves.” Said James Neely, Senior Vice President of Sales for KUDUCOM.
At the start of this year, 25-year-old telecommunications solutions provider, PBX-Change, adopted a fresh name and look- becoming KUDUCOM. The company swapped its original, decades-old globe logo for a pair of antlers, belonging to the noble kudu; a type of South African antelope that pays homage to the founders’ roots. After six months of introducing their new brand and logo to the public, it’s time to finally give those antlers a name!
Interested participants can look to KUDUCOM’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages for updates on the contest. Submissions will be accepted today through 5pm on Thursday, July 20. The form to suggest a name and enter the contest can be found at www.kuducom.com/namethekudu. Once submissions close, three finalists will be selected by a panel of KUDUCOM staff, and the results will be posted in a poll to Facebook followers by Monday, July 24. Followers will then vote on their selection for the winner for the rest of the week, and the winner will be announced on all pages Monday, July 31. Rules and regulations can be found on the contest website, as well as social media.
About KUDUCOM: KUDUCOM™ (koo·do·com), formerly PBX-Change, is a Tampa-based Communications Solutions Provider with over 25 years of business-to-business experience. KUDUCOM provides businesses with a trusted and secure single source solution for voice, data, cloud, and Internet services.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Implements Webex Cloud Contact Center by KUDUCOM™
Tampa, Fla., May 17, 2023 –– KUDUCOM’s Chief Technology Officer Ryan Yaldor announced today the successful implementation of the world’s leading Software-As-Service (SaaS) cloud contact center solution, CISCO’s Webex Contact Center for The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
“As the workplace continues to evolve, businesses with multiple applications are streamlining their operations to deliver a more reliable, single dashboard environment, so staff can provide a better customer-centric experience. KUDUCOM’s hands-on approach makes the integration and optimization smooth, backed by our local support to help every step of the way,” said Yaldor.
According to CISCO, The Webex Contact Center was designed and built from its foundation as a software-as-Service (SaaS) cloud solution, and its platform architecture brings businesses the innovation, flexibility, scalability, and agility of the cloud without sacrificing security. Forrester Consulting conducted a Total Economic Impact™ study of Webex Contact Center and concluded that the solution delivered a 262% ROI and improved contact center operations over a three-year period in multiple business sectors.
Bob Henriquez, The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, said, “Besides the duty and responsibility to appraise all of the property in the County, we are in the people business, and our number one priority is extraordinary customer service. This implementation replaced the needs of today, allowing the expansion for the needs of tomorrow with “Omni-channel” capabilities for voice, chat, email, social media, and so on.”
According to CISCO, the Webex Contact Center is a cloud-based subscription that enables businesses and organizations to go rapidly to market, delivering enhanced revenue opportunities while minimizing upfront capital investment. The native cloud architecture is rated the #1 global solution inspired by customers and architected for businesses.
Greg Alford, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Administration, said, “We knew we wanted a local partner for support to ensure customer retention and high-mark service levels. KUDUCOM met with us and systematically rationalized our past issues and role-played future scenarios like chat, social media, and other customer experience applications. From dropped calls, application crossover hiccups, poor routing and queue management, and hybrid work challenges, we rest at ease now, saying goodbye to all those inconveniences.”
Opal Hudson, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Value, said, “Upon our initial meeting, we set objectives to reduce complexity and expenses, enhance productivity, and bring security and scalability to our employees and customers. All with increased functionality and value compared to premise-based contact centers.”
Yaldor commented that CISCO’s Webex Contact Center offers the best platform for seamless progression to an Omni-Channel environment, allowing businesses to achieve high-quality customer experiences.
Henriquez added, “Our office has never experienced such a smooth and event-free installation and transition of such a major application change. We could have chosen several different providers that are partnered with CISCO; however, we knew that KUDUCOM’s experience, customer service, and location made them the ideal partner for us.”
To learn more about KUDUCOM and its business-centric voice, internet, and cloud services, please visit KUDUCOM.com or call 866-KUDUCOM today!
To see the case study for The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office Webex Contact Center Implementation by KUDUCOM, please click here.
KUDUCOM™ Partners with Tampa Bay Wave to Deliver Pro Bono mmWave Technology
Tampa, Fla Feb. 20, 2023 – When Tampa Bay Wave, Florida’s #1 Accelerator and tech startup support organization, needed multi-Gigabit mmWave wireless Internet speed and a complete suite of voice services, they called KUDUCOM.
Tampa Bay Wave Founder and CEO Linda Olsen said, “We needed a communications partner to provide our team and guests with reliable, seamless high-speed internet and voice services. The customized solutions KUDUCOM provided delivered real-time applications with low latency and an extremely stable connection. All this with no construction or downtime; a real game changer!”
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the mmWave spectrum is the band of spectrum between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. Wedged between microwave and infrared waves, this spectrum can be used for high-speed wireless communications. It is being considered by standards organizations and researchers as the way to bring “5G” into the future by allocating more bandwidth to deliver faster, higher-quality video and multimedia content and services.
KUDUCOM’s Director of Business Development, Rebekah Nault shared, “This partnership with Tampa Bay Wave is another shining example of how KUDUCOM partners with and supports non-profits, businesses, the community, and the tech industry in and around Tampa Bay. We are providing an annual evergreen sponsorship for their internet and voice communications. With this technology, Tampa Bay Wave will remain on the cutting edge of advanced communications and through the power of our Webex platform, they will be able to streamline their services. We are thrilled for this partnership.”
KUDUCOM’s Chief Technology Officer Ryan Yaldor said, “KUDUCOM deployed multi-gigabit mmWave connection to the rooftop of Tampa Bay Wave’s new building, delivering gigabit-speed internet in a short timetable without sacrificing reliability and performance. The Cambium WiF6 AP (access point) was used for their in-office Wi-Fi for both staff and guests. Their access points use the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology to ensure high-speed, interference-free Wi-Fi, especially in multi-tenant buildings. These devices connected to the internet allow those Wi-Fi users to take full advantage of our ultra-fast internet platform for the best possible user experience.”
To learn more about KUDUCOM and their business-centric voice, internet, and cloud services, please visit KUDUCOM.com or call 866-KUDUCOM today!
About KUDUCOM
KUDUCOM (koo·do·com), formerly PBX-Change, is a Tampa-based Communications Solutions Provider with over 25 years of business-to-business experience. KUDUCOM provides businesses with a trusted and secure single- source solution for voice, data, cloud, and Internet services.
About Tampa Bay Wave
Tampa Bay Wave, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing entrepreneurs with facilitated access to the resources, expertise, and capital they need to grow vibrant technology-based companies in Tampa Bay. Since March 2013, Tampa Bay Wave has supported more than 450 tech startups thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), plus support from its economic development partners Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa. Tampa Bay Wave also receives support from individuals such as Michael and Korrine Fraser and Kyle Taylor, founder of The Penny Hoarder, as well as from partners such as A-LIGN, Bank of America, Bellini Better World, DCE Productions, Encore Bank/STi, EY, Florida Blue, Florida Funders, Foley & Lardner, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, KnowBe4, KUDUCOM, MacDonald Ventures, Nielsen Foundation, Rays/Rowdies Foundation, Trenam Law, Truist Foundation, and Vinik Family Foundation. Tampa Bay Wave is also a member of the GAN network of accelerators. For more information, visit www.tampabaywave.org
Media Contact:
Eric R. Polins
HCP Associates, Inc.
Phone: 813-318-0565 Ext. 104
Mobile: 813-503-6386
E-mail: epolins@hcpassociates.com
KUDUCOM™ Promotes Rebekah Nault to Director of Business Development
Tampa, Fla Jan. 24, 2023 – KUDUCOM (formerly PBX-Change) Senior Vice President of Sales, James Neely announced today the promotion of 16-year veteran Rebekah Nault to Director of Business Development.
“Rebekah always gives 110 percent and her passion for the local business community is unparalleled. For a long time she has seen herself as an ambassador of our unique brand and her new position will help nurture that path. It’s an honor to work with her and I can’t wait to see what she will achieve,” Neely said.
Nault started with the company in 2007 and spent 10 years as a Service Deployment Coordinator, three years as an Account Manager, and another three years as a Business and Community Development Liaison.
Nault commented, “I am so happy to accept my role as Director of Business Development under our new brand, KUDUCOM. Although I have served the organization for 16 of its 25-year history, I have always felt my roles allowed me to do a job I care about while simultaneously supporting my community and the civic causes I wholeheartedly believe in. I thrive on the variety of businesses and people we work with. I enjoy helping them and others through community outreach and non-profit organizations. Thank you to KUDUCOM leadership and my community peers for believing in me. I have a lot to do and look forward to seeing you all out and about in beautiful Tampa Bay!”
According to Neely, Nault’s new position will come with a broader list of responsibilities and will effectively add her to the KUDUCOM Leadership Team. “As business leaders and stakeholders in the community, we own more than our specific job responsibilities. We are equally responsible for our brand, vision, mission, value-added propositions, and the fiduciary well-being of our company,” said Neely.
Nault’s employment history with KUDUCOM is broad and lengthy and her community involvement continues to grow. Nault has been heavily involved with the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce since 2015, where she was recognized as the South Tampa Chamber’s Member of the Year in 2020 and named to their Board of Directors in 2022. Nault also serves as an Honorary Commander for the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, is a member of the STEM Committee for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, and is an active volunteer for Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay.
KUDUCOM CFO and Co-founder Martine Yaldor shared, “Our recent rebranding has created many new and exciting opportunities in our organization. Rebekah’s promotion to Director of Business Development for KUDUCOM highlights our gratitude for a job well done over years of growth and change both internally and within our industry.”
For more information on KUDUCOM, please visit www.kuducom.com or call 866-KUDUCOM.
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About KUDUCOM
KUDUCOM™, formerly PBX-Change, is a 25-year-old single-source full-service communications provider providing businesses with Voice, Internet, and Cloud-based services with a customer-centric focus.
Source: KUDUCOM™
Media Contact:
Eric R. Polins
HCP Associates, Inc.
Phone: 813-318-0565 Ext. 104
Mobile: 813-503-6386
E-mail: epolins@hcpassociates.com
PBX-Change Rebrands to KUDUCOM™
Tampa, Fla., Jan. 04, 2023 – KUDUCOM is galloping into Tampa Bay, providing businesses with a powerful communication suite backed by a powerhouse application that does it all, Webex by CISCO. Ryan Yaldor, the Chief Technology Officer of KUDUCOM™ (formerly PBX-Change) announced today that the new name, brand, vision, and mission launched on January 3, 2023.
“Our company has been providing businesses with Voice, Internet, and Cloud-based communication services for over two decades, and now it’s time to show the world that we mean business! Our new name, brand, and mission are changing to communicate to our clients and prospective businesses that our value-added propositions, people, products, and services are more reflective of what we are in business to do — help businesses communicate better,” stated Yaldor.
With the founder’s roots hailing from South Africa, stakeholders wanted to incorporate a meaningful icon when rebranding the 25-year-old communication-based business. KUDUCOM represents businesses and organizations where speed, agility, and customer-centric care are important components of their Voice, Internet, and Cloud-based services.
“The Kudu is a large antelope predominantly from South Africa with a top speed of roughly 60 miles per hour. They have large radar-like ears and are highly alert and notoriously aware of their surroundings, making them a unique symbol to represent the vision and mission of KUDUCOM and the enriched services depending on speed, accuracy, and the ability to listen carefully in any environment,” Yaldor added.
Martine Yaldor, KUDUCOM’s Chief Financial Officer stated, “Our vision and mission have evolved over the past 25 years moving towards a more business-centric model, without sacrificing service by real people. In the past, we spent time perfecting our processes and services. With the rebrand, we have been able to focus on perfecting our value-added propositions to further elevate our presence in the industry. We have grown and have realized the need to take on this change to welcome new opportunities while maintaining our impeccable client retention record.”
KUDUCOM is a certified Cisco Webex Contact Center partner and a registered Florida CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier), delivering unified voice, contact center management, and Internet services to businesses and organizations. As a premier Cisco partner, KUDUCOM deploys a Webex solution that is dependable, secure, flexible, and trusted by 95% of Fortune 500 companies.
“When we discussed rebranding the company, we did so with a focus on appealing to new markets. We also felt we should enhance our visual consistency and brand equity to better represent who we are and where we are going. This is a step in the right direction for us and our clients,” shared Senior Vice President, James Neely.
To continue our growth and position in the marketplace, PBX-Change rebranded to KUDUCOM in late 2022 to place an emphasis on being a single-source full-service communications provider.
Sean Coniglio, Managing Partner at HCP Associates and a long-time client shared, “In the 13 years we have trusted our partners at KUDUCOM, formerly PBX-Change, we have consistently had exceptional service. In our business, if we go down, we are in trouble, we never have to worry about that with them by our side. As a small business, we get fast and reliable Internet, seamless integration of hundreds of apps, cloud calling, collaborative messaging, virtual meetings, video conferencing, and even events and polling features. For a 37-year-old research-based marketing firm, that is everything we need and more.”
To learn more about KUDUCOM and their business-centric Voice, Internet, and Cloud Services, please visit KUDUCOM.com or call 866-KUDUCOM today!