Call center’s job projections grow

By Thomas V. Bona

BusinessRockford.com

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ROCKFORD — Financial Management Systems is growing its Rockford call center faster than expected.

Thanks to a new contract to provide customer service and debt collection for a leading bank, the firm hopes to hire 155 people by the end of the year or early 2010, FMS spokesman Shann Grewal said. It had previously expected to hire about 70 by the end of the year.

The company already has hired 45 people for its other call center activities, including debt collection. It hopes to fill the other 110 through community outreach.

The new contract, with a company that was not disclosed, could mean even more growth later on, Grewal said.

“We’re going to staff up as the performance warrants. Just to get the thing off the ground takes 110 employees,” he said. “We have 350 seats, and we were planning over a two-year period to fill up. This obviously pushes everything up.”

About two dozen job seekers at La Voz Latina were among the first to learn of FMS’ expansion plans today. Paul Dodson, FMS director of branch operations, said company officials are excited to be able to step up their hiring plans.

“The priority is to see how many people we can put to work in Rockford,” he said. “That goal hasn’t changed.”

FMS has worked with The Workforce Connection, Rasmussen College, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and other local groups in its ramp-up. The company also is reaching out to employees of West Corp., which announced it will be closing its Loves Park call center by the end of the year.

To apply for work at FMS, go to fmsdc.com or call 800-605-9817, ext. 6000.

Staff writer Sean F. Driscoll contributed to this report. Reach staff writer Thomas V. Bona at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.

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