August 06,2002

CMR to add up to 50 part-time sales agents

CHARLESTON -As many as 50 additional part time workers are expected to be added over the next few months at McLeodUSA 's Consolidated Market Response facility.

The company announced plans Monday to expand the "PrimeLine" telemarketing sales operations at 700 W. Lincoln, adding to the approximately 65 employees at the facility.

"It's nice to see a company with local ties have the opportunity to expand an existing operation," said Jeanne Gustafson, the executive director of the Coles Together economic development group.

McLeodUSA sales agents complete out-bound telemarketing calls to prospective residential customers of local and long distance telephone, voice mail and Internet and data services from the Charleston-based Consolidated Market Response Center.

"We are excited by the opportunity to expand the role of the Charleston center I by adding sales agent positions," said John Woodruff, general manager of CMR.

CMR and Illinois Consolidated Telephone Co. I. are subsidiaries of McLeodUSA. Last month, McLeodUSA announced plans to sell ICTC and related businesses including CMR to a group called Homebase Acquisition Corp. headed by Richard Lumpkin.

Once the sale is complete, McLeodUSA would become a customer of CMR.