Former Airman Flies High with Geeks on Call Franchise

It was 2 A.M. The middle of the desert. Enemy territory. U.S. Air Force senior airman Vincent Griffey had an urgent mission: establish a computer network to interface with American fighter jets. He had mere hours to complete the task...

Although he is no longer in the military, Vincent Griffey still maintains a die-hard "mission critical" attitude, but instead of the desert, his current battlefield is cyberspace. Griffey has become one of those ubiquitous computer geeks from Geeks On Call®, the nation's premier provider of on-site computer services. This week marks the grand opening of Griffey?s Geeks On Call® Franchise in Raleigh, NC. With Griffey on patrol, small businesses and residents of Raleigh and its surroundings have unrestricted access to the computer expertise of a man who certainly knows how to keep cool under fire.

During his seven years in the Air Force, Griffey became well-versed in multiple sources of computer equipment and operating systems. His duties often included tabulating data and implementing secure networks for F-15 fighter jets. He also garnered knowledge of Unix and Solaris, as well as Oracle databases and Cisco routers. After departing from the Air Force, Griffey found employment in the private sector as a technical support engineer for a computer firm that serviced well-known companies and banking institutions. Around the same time, he earned his A computer certification, and soon thereafter began working toward becoming an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer).

Griffey is excited to embark upon his new mission with Geeks On Call®, and joins a steadily-growing list of African-Americans who have become full-fledged Geeks. Griffey's enthusiasm for his business is echoed by Walter Ewell, the president of Geeks On Call®, who pointed out that "Vincent Griffey has an amazing ability to maintain his concentration and composure despite any chaotic surroundings. The bottom line: he knows how to pull through in a pinch."

Geeks On Call® is the 21st-century equivalent of an old-fashioned doctor who makes house calls. Driving a "Geekmobile", a sleek, patriot-blue Chrysler PT Cruiser emblazoned with the Geeks logo and phone number, a mobile Geeks technician brings comprehensive computer services directly to the doorsteps of homes and businesses. This expedient, on-site computer support is a welcomed alternative to the impersonal retailers and local technicians who require customers to disassemble their computer systems and lug all of the components to the store. Thanks to Geeks On Call®, these customers no longer have to experience lengthy computer downtime or endure outrageous fees for slow, unreliable computer support. In particular the services provided by Geeks On Call® have found success with small businesses that cannot afford to hire a full-time IT staff. Now everyone has access to superior computer repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting, training, and networking - without emptying their wallets.

Founded 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 April 2001 the first Geeks offspring was launched, and since then Geeks On Call® has skyrocketed to success, establishing 77 Franchises throughout the United States?with many more expected to lift off in the near future.

Currently Geeks On Call® offers service in the following areas: Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, VA; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, NC; Annapolis, Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Rockville, MD; Plano, Denton, and Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX; Colorado Springs, CO; Kansas City, MO; and Jacksonville and Daytona Springs, FL.