Jersey Computer Geek is an Inspiration to Minority Women

Computer professional Cathy Savage is a humble woman who prefers to let her technical expertise speak for itself. Perhaps that's why she is hesitant to point to herself as being an inspiration to other minority women. Despite her humility, the fact remains that she is a role model who has made great strides in the male-dominated information-technology industry over the past 20 years. Not content to rest on her laurels, Savage is once again blazing a trail by becoming the first female African-American owner of a Franchise with Geeks On Call®, the nation's premier provider of on-site computer support. Serving the community of Cherry Hill as well as its neighboring cities throughout Camden and Burlington Counties, Savage's franchise will deliver a complete range of computer services directly to the doorsteps of homes and businesses alike.

Cathy Savage's love for computers began during her time with the U.S. Air Force, for whom she served in active duty between 1979 and 1987. During the early stage of her military career, she worked as an Inventory Management Specialist and often used the key-punch computer cards that were common during the early days of computer technologies. A random musing one afternoon led her to wonder how computers were able to read those punch cards, and this in turn sparked a curiosity for high-technology that has yet to be extinguished. Her subsequent positions in the Air Force were in the field of Operations Management, which afforded her the opportunity to attain considerable computer knowledge and skills.

After departing the Air Force in 1987, Savage served in the New Jersey Air National Guard for 13 years. In her new job she was able to utilize her burgeoning technical skills, as well as learn a few new ones. By the time she left the Air National Guard in the year 2000, her computer prowess was so impressive that she immediately acquired a civilian job as a Telecommunications System Analyst for the State of New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts.

During the course of the next decade, Savage proceeded to work for several other information-technology companies, and held several prestigious positions such as a System Engineer, Project Manager, and an IT consultant. In addition, she decided to further her knowledge by going back to school, and in 2002 she earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems from Thomas Edison State College. Savage's desire to continually grow her knowledge is what immediately impressed the President of Geeks On Call®, Walter Ewell. "I really admire the fact that Cathy Savage is constantly looking for new challenges and new skills to master," said Ewell. "Not only is she a role model for women in the IT industry, but also for anyone, of any creed or color, who desires to be a self-made success."

Geeks On Call® is the high-tech equivalent of a doctor who makes house calls. Too often, small businesses and residential customers lose substantial time and money while waiting for their computer problems to be fixed by a large, impersonal retail store, which often keeps the computer for a week or more and charges an arm and a leg! Refusing to tolerate this type of slow, unsatisfactory service, Geeks On Call® goes against the grain and brings help directly to the customer's doorstep. Everything the Geeks technicians need to complete their tasks is nestled inside their sleek patriot-blue Chrysler PT Cruisers affectionately known as "Geek Cruisers" which are emblazoned with the Geeks On Call® logo and toll-free phone number.

Launched in 1999, Geeks On Call® began its operations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA, where it experienced immediate success. Overwhelmed by the public's hunger for dependable computer support, Geeks On Call® realized the only way to satisfy its ballooning customer base would be to franchise the company. In 2001 the first Geeks offspring was born, and since then over 125 Franchises have been planted throughout the United States.

Not only have the expedient, reliable services provided by Geeks On Call® found success with residential clients, but also with small businesses that simply cannot afford the enormous expense of hiring an IT staff. Instead of paying exorbitant salaries to keep a full-fledged IT staff on hand, small businesses simply can turn to Geeks On Call® on those occasions in which computer services are required. Now everyone can have access to superior computer repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting, personalized training, networking and custom-built PCs, without emptying their wallets.

Currently, Geeks On Call® offers service in the following states: Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.