Westpark Communications began operations in 1968 as a family-run business offering telephone answering services for customers in the Houston metropolitan area. Founded by sisters Edna Wesneski and Joyce Landers, Westpark rapidly gained a loyal base of customers by delivering on a simple promise - professional, highly personalized service.
Capitalizing on referrals and word-of-mouth promotion, Westpark prospered for more than a decade. Over the years, the company's commitment to personal service never wavered. As a result, Westpark became a trusted resource and enjoyed many long-term client relationships.
Early Challenges
In the early 1980's, shifting demographics, a lean economy, technological innovations, and telephone deregulation abruptly changed the competitive landscape for modest-size companies like Westpark. Further complicating the scenario, the energy industry was in severe recession by 1983. The economic impacts were profound, especially for Houston-area companies tied either directly or indirectly to the oil field. Co-owner Edna Wesneski realized that the future of Westpark hung in the balance. She responded with a plan calling for bold, strategic change.
Major Transformation
In 1986, Ms. Wesneski purchased her sister's interest in Westpark and implemented a dramatic restructuring of the company. She began with a comprehensive marketing effort spearheaded by the addition of an uncommon feature at that time: 24-hour service. The company became an active member of industry trade associations on the local, state and national levels. Sourcing and trade relationships were strengthened and cultivated. A series of six acquisitions was undertaken, further strengthening the company's competitive position.
Westpark's support structure was revitalized as well. Additional supervisory personnel were recruited and fourteen new employees were hired. The company invested in the latest telecommunications technology, upgrading from an outdated concentrator system to a modern call-forwarding-based system. Productivity was emphasized, resulting in numerous labor-saving applications and equipment purchases. Westpark was rapidly and radically transformed.
As the industry continued to change and equipment became more sophisticated, Westpark remained at the forefront of technology. State-of-the-art call-handling equipment was purchased and installed in 1988, followed by a voice mail system in 1989.
Expanded Leadership
The next step for Ms. Wesneski was to solidify the future of Westpark with the addition of key executive leaders. In 1992, Kathie Edwards joined the firm to assist in operations management. Later that year, IT specialist Brad Burgan was added to oversee the company's computers and automated systems.
Westpark Today
Today, Ms. Edwards serves as General Manager and Mr. Burgan is IT Department Manager. Although no longer part of the day-to-day operations, Ms. Wesneski remains involved in strategic planning for the company.
Westpark continues to make substantial investments in people, facilities and technology to remain at the forefront of the industry and accommodate the communications needs of any organization. In 2002, Westpark moved to its current location, a specially-designed headquarters and call center on Houston's west side.
Westpark has become a major player on the national scene, serving Fortune 100 corporations and meeting the needs of organizations with interests around the globe.
