Geeks on Call - Former Telecom Pro Now Answers Trenton's Calls for Computer Help

In years past, telecommunications expert—and lifelong New Jersey resident—Mike Petriello would get offended whenever anyone called him a high-tech nerd or geek.  Now, however, he has a completely different attitude.  In fact, he has lovingly embraced the word “geek” and is the first to admit that he is one.  What spurred this sudden reversal?  The answer lies with his latest business venture—a Franchise with Geeks On Call®, the nation’s premier provider of on-site computer support.  Driving special “Geek Cruisers,” Petriello’s mobile computer technicians crisscross the New Jersey cities of Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence, Princeton, and other neighboring communities to deliver a wide range of computer help to residents and small businesses alike.  

Mike Petriello’s initial foray into the high-tech realm began as an undergraduate at Rutgers University, where he studied industrial engineering.  After graduation, he became employed by New Jersey Bell, for whom he worked as an Outside Plant Engineer.  About seven years later he was promoted to a management position, and from the mid-1980s to the late-90s he served in a total of six different prestigious management roles.  It was during this time that New Jersey Bell was restructured and renamed to form Bell Atlantic.  In 1997 Petriello was again promoted, this time to the level of Director.  Over the next six years he held three other director-level positions with responsibilities that included the development of wide-area networking, information-technology (IT) and business solutions, and management of multimillion-dollar data service revenues.  Finally, in 2003, he retired from Verizon (which had previously been known as Bell Atlantic). 

Now that Petriello had plenty of time on his hands—as well as two and-a-half decades of IT expertise at his disposal—he began to explore new entrepreneurial possibilities.  It was then that he discovered the Franchise Opportunities available with Geeks On Call®, and immediately he was intrigued by the prospect of owning a mobile computer support business.  He knew that his many years of management experience would enable him to grow a Geeks’ franchise into a success—but what about the necessary computer skills?  Although he is a part-time computer hobbyist, he doesn’t have any computer certifications or licenses.  Fortunately he learned that he could still open a franchise by hiring a professional computer technician to be his mobile Geek—which is exactly what he did.  Certainly Petriello is thrilled to be the first owner of a Geeks On Call® franchise in New Jersey’s capital, and looks forward to serving his community for years to come. 

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 early 2001 the first Geeks’ offspring was born, and since then nearly 170 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, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.