John Granby is vice president and general manager of the Jacksonville market for Alltel Communications.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HELD THE POST?
Four months.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?
“I am responsible for Alltel’s communications division, which consists of wireless operations, wire line [business communication services], Internet, long distance and paging. All the operations roll up under me.”
HOMETOWN
Virginia Beach.
CURRENT RESIDENCE
Southside, though he is searching the town for a permanent home.
EDUCATION
He has a bachelor’s degree with minors in English, communications and political science from Virginia Tech.
WHY CHOOSE THIS CURRICULUM?
“When I first went to college, I was undecided. At that time there was a big push at the school from companies that were looking for those with a more well-rounded education.”
GLORY DAYS
In his younger years, Granby played professional football for the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.
WHY DID YOU QUIT?
“I got cut and I didn’t want to play anymore. It paid for my college education. When you grow up playing it, it’s just a natural part of life, but I don’t long to play now. When I was finished, I was done. I watch as a spectator and enjoy the game. I just moved on to do something else.”
AFTER HE PUT THE PIGSKIN DOWN
He was hired as a salesperson at Sprint. “Sprint Cellular spun off to form 360 Communications, which was a wireless company that merged with Alltel. I moved into sales management. Then I went to compete for the local exchange business; I ran operations in Virginia for that. I was promoted to director of sales in Cleveland.”
WHAT ABOUT THE CELL PHONE BUSINESS APPEALS TO YOU?
“It’s fast-paced and the technology changes day by day. It’s ultra-competitive. One day is not like any other day. I get to work with a dynamic and diverse group of folks. Because it is competitive, fast-paced, to have a level of success in that environment is rewarding.”
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE PROFESSIONALLY?
“My most immediate goal is to make Jacksonville the most successful market for Alltel.”
WHAT IS YOUR MARKET?
“Because we offer such an array of products and services, any individual or business with communication needs is our target market.”
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE?
“My mission is to make things where, when people think of communications in Jacksonville, the first thing they think of is Alltel. Leveraging all the things we have in Jacksonville, there is tremendous opportunity here.”
HOBBIES
Running, golfing and sightseeing in Florida are high on his list. Happy distractions also include his favorite gangster movie, “The Godfather,” tuning into the old sitcom, “Sanford and Son,” or cruising the beach. “In college I had a buddy who could imitate anybody. He got us hooked [on “Sanford”].
— by Monica Chamness