2013 Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year
2013 Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year
Vince Gremillion’s journey as an owner of one of the leading IT service companies started over 30 years ago when he became interested in electronics while at East Jefferson High School. After graduating in 1979, he started taking classes at local trade schools for electronics. His education landed him a job with a local company which sold and repaired point of sale systems. His duties were to handle repairs at the Time Savers convenience stores and other small retail outlets.
As he progressed through his career, Vince was exposed to the first series APPLE and MAC computers. He installed networks for MACS and developed proprietary circuits. One circuit circuit array he developed, made troubleshooting and monitoring terminals nearly fool proof. That idea was put in print, and a Californian medical services company contacted him to build a version that interfaced with NEO NATAL monitors. The idea worked perfectly in that environment and the company purchased 3 sets of these arrays.
Vince moved on to work for AMOCO, Tomba Communications and a startup micro-computer company where he effectively solved a problem for the NASA’s facility at Michoud. His innovative and very cost effective idea allowed users in the MIC room to share control of the MAC that drove a projector. Vince received a commendation letter for that solution.
Continuing to dream about running his own business, Vince was able to maintain a part time position and start a new part time consulting job. Shortly after, he moved his home office into a small space and then launched on over twenty years of steady growth.
Today, RESTECH employs 15 full time people and has revenues over $3.5 million annually. RESTECH has serviced national as well as regional and local accounts. RESTECH held a 7 year service contract for the VA hospitals in Pennsylvania, San Antonio, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Vince has put a lot of effort into continuing his education and transforming himself from into a more effective business leader and analyst. He took two courses from Dale Carnegie, and completed an online course on entrepreneurship and leadership where he received the most outstanding achievement award. This past year, Vince participated and completed the Goldman-Sachs Small business 10,000 program hosted by Delgado Community College. This class combined with continued coaching and study from vendors and industry consultants has positioned the company for further growth and more efficient operations.
Personally, Vince is active in mentoring young men on life and spiritual issues. He lead a faith based version of Boy Scouts called “Royal Rangers” for 8 years and junior high, high school and college aged groups over 25 years. He held multiple offices with a local Home School association, assisted with development, coached a faith based Home School sports program and founded and grew a men’s mentoring group.
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The SBA Awards highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories during National Small Business Week (June 17 – 21, 2013). The Jefferson Chamber will host a special luncheon on June 5 at Metairie Country Club to present awards to the local champions. Over the past five years, Jefferson Chamber-nominated businesses have won a total of 39 state-wide SBA awards in several different categories, including one national winner. For more information about the awards, winners and the special events, visit www.jeffersonchamber.org.
