Employee Spotlight: Jim Hemminger

Jim Hemminger, a government account executive at Chicago Communications, wants to help public safety organizations find the latest technology solutions for streamlined, efficient communications. 

Jim has been with Chicago Communications for less than a year, but before that, he spent 21 years at T-Mobile, where he honed his ability to find the right solutions for customers. Now, he is harnessing his decades of experience to help government clients find affordable solutions to their challenges. 

Unique Solutions

Jim’s natural talent for helping customers increase efficiency and profitability helps them identify what they need to create a custom communications infrastructure that addresses their unique challenges. “How do you provide tools that are easy to understand, support them in what they are doing, and provide secure systems that protect them?” says Jim.

Whether that is a radio with more features or a device that makes communication easier, the solution depends on the customer. And that’s where Jim’s people skills come in handy.

As a veteran salesperson, Jim has enjoyed watching the industry change and grow over the last three decades.

It keeps things fresh.

Harnessing the Chaos

Jim spends his days talking on the phone, emailing, building quotes and projections, and visiting sites. “No day is the same; I call it constant chaos,” says Jim. “I believe in efficiency and organization. At T-Mobile, my goal was to work with customers to increase their profitability, improve their efficiency, and find ways to save them money. I have a natural knack for identifying processes that aren’t efficient—it’s a gift but also a curse.”

Removing Obstacles

Before a system can function at its best, says Jim, someone must pave the way. “I believe that for people to work efficiently, somebody needs to move obstacles for them and provide a clear path. That’s the most important asset.”

Public Safety Comes First

One example of a project Jim is working on is adding channels to a dispatch center. “We’re creating a new main channel for the fire department and a backup channel for their police department,” he says. He is facilitating the purchase and installation of new transmitters and receivers. “It’s keeping them current with technology,” he adds.  

He is also committed to ensuring that all the public safety communications equipment is serviced—and serviceable. “If the product dies, it just becomes a paperweight,” so I’m helping ensure that the equipment they have can function for them. The last thing you want is for the police department to have 50 officers, and 10 of their portable radios are so old that they start dying and don’t have backups.”

Planning Ahead

Because the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the supply chain, another goal of Jim’s is to help customers plan for their equipment needs. “Unfortunately, in today’s world, if you order a new radio, it doesn’t come within a week,” he says. “I’m always looking at the products and services that would fit their needs or help overcome obstacles. How do you make them more efficient at their job and give them things that are easy to use and understand?”

A Changing World

Sometimes, we don’t know what technology can do until it's too late. “There are technologies and services out there that customers don't have and use, so they don’t think they need them,” says Jim. He’s reminded of a time when he couldn’t imagine everyone would be taking photos on their phones. "Ninety-five, or 98% of the time, they don’t need it, but that 1% of the time that service could come into use, it’s been life and death.” 

The challenge is to help customers work within their budgets to find forward-thinking solutions.

He appreciates the close-knit team at Chicago Communications: “I work with a great group of people.”

Family and Church

Jim lives in Crown Point, Indiana, and says he is heavily involved with his children’s lives. He loves playing pickleball. He is an active church member, participating in Bible studies and men’s groups most days. “I’m thankful that my eyes open in the morning because you’re not guaranteed tomorrow,” he says. “I just have to get up and do my best to be the best representative of His I can be.”