---
title: "Vertical Spotlight: A Legacy in Communications"
---

[![](https://info.vertical.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VERTICAL%20LOGO%20COLOR%20PNG-2.png?width=320&name=VERTICAL%20LOGO%20COLOR%20PNG-2.png "VERTICAL LOGO COLOR PNG-2.png")](https://www.vertical.com)

- Products 
    - Vertical Products
    - [**iPECS Cloud](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/ipecs)
    - [**Summit IP - SMB](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/summit)
    - [**Wave IP](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/waveip)
    - [Mitel Products](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/mitel)
    - [**Mitel Cloud](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/micloudflex)
    - [**Mitel Premise](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/mitelonsitesolutions)
    - [8X8 Products](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/8x8)
    - [**UCaaS](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/unified-communications)
    - [**Contact Center](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/8x8-contact-center)
    - [RingCentral Products](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/ringcentral)
    - [**UCaaS](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/ringcentral)
    - [Award-Winning Support](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/award-winning-support)
    - [Spectralink](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/spectralink)
    - [Telchemy](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/store/pdf/productsheets/telchemy_one_sheet.pdf)
- Solutions 
    - Delivery Model
    - [**Cloud Telephony](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/cloud)
    - Industry
    - [**Retail](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/retail)
    - [**Automotive](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/automotive)
    - [**Health Care](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/healthcare)
    - [**Large Machinery](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/largemachinery)
    - Endpoints
    - [**Vertical IP, Digital & 3rd Party Phones](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/endpoints)
- [Services](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/award-winning-support)
- [Support](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/support)
- [How to Buy](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/how-to-buy)
- Resources 
    - [Blog](https://www.blog.vertical.com/)
    - [Vertical Presents Webinars](https://info.vertical.com/vertical-presents)
- About 
    - [About Vertical](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/who-is-vertical)
    - [Why Vertical](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/why-vertical)
    - [It's All About the Workflows](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/workflow)
    - [Case Studies](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/case-studies)
    - [Whitepapers](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/whitepapers)
    - [News & Awards](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/news)
    - [Management Team](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/management)
    - [Employment](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/jobs)
    - [Partners](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/partners)
    - [Become a Reseller](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/join)
    - [Consultant Collaboration Program](https://ccp.vertical.com/home/readerlogin)
    - [Contact Us](https://www.vertical.com/vertical/contact)

[Login](http://vconnect.vertical.com)

- ![A Legacy in Communications](https://info.vertical.com/hubfs/A%20Legacy%20in%20Communications%20LP.png "A Legacy in Communications")

## A Storied History: The People of Vertical Communications

Vertical is a special place. We are a company firmly planted in the future. Most of our employees work 100% from home, spread across the country. We sell and support some of the most innovative and forward-thinking technologies that businesses can take advantage of. From automation to AI, cloud to remote applications, we are at the bleeding edge of business communications.

At the same time, we boast a rich and storied history. Our company was founded in 2004, but our legacy goes back even further. Across the board, when you work with Vertical, you get experience and expertise. Our technician team alone has over 974 years of combined experience. The history of Vertical Communications is an impressive story, highlighted by the people who make up the Vertical Difference.

Some of our longest-tenured employees trace their roots to Vodavi. Vodavi, based in Scottsdale, AZ, was the origin of our long-standing partnership with LG. That’s when Director of Q&A, **Julie Porter** got her start with Vertical, almost 30 years ago. When she started, she was in the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) department, where Vodavi operated its own repair facility. Also part of Vodavi, was our Director of Warehouse, **Dave Weinstein**. [We highlighted Dave and his team a few months back](https://verticalkb.vertical.com/help/department-spotlight-warehouse). Dave started working in the Vodavi warehouse in May 1995. His experience over the years is one of the secrets to our successful warehouse operation and a great resource to the top-notch team that works alongside him. Vertical acquired Vodavi in 2006 and our partnership with LG has continued to remain strong.

Perhaps the employee who has been with Vertical the longest is **Donna DeMarcus**. Donna got her start with Alltel, where Fulton Communications was one of her customers. It took about a year of convincing, but eventually, in 1982 she moved over to Fulton and has been with Fulton (and subsequently Vertical) ever since.

Fulton Communications was a leading provider of integrated communications systems and services, based out of Atlanta, Georgia, with offices around the country. Fulton helped companies to plan, design, and implement business-critical networks and access to communications. Just like Vertical today, Fulton was consistently one of the top performers as a Mitel Value-Added Reseller (VAR).

**Darryl McClure** was there at the beginning of Fulton. Besides a brief stint at Mitel, he has been with Fulton/Vertical for over 35 years. Communications is in Darryl’s blood and he knows pretty much everything there is to know, especially as it pertains to Mitel. He’s seen some big changes in the industry—from digital to IP and premise to cloud.

To be honest, if we were to highlight every employee who has been with Vertical for over 20 years, it would be too long to read. This high level of dedication, commitment to customer service, and willingness to adapt as new technology changes the industry is a testament to the character and quality of the individuals who represent Vertical to our customers. And that's the great part about the Vertical Difference. When you call us, chances are you won't get a new hire that just started last week. Instead, you'll hear the familiar voice of someone who's been at Vertical solving your communications challenges for decades.

### Have you had a great experience working with Vertical? We want to hear about it!

- [Contact Us](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/contact)
- [Support Resources](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/support)
- [How to Buy](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/how-to-buy)
- [About Vertical](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/who-is-vertical)
- [Privacy](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/privacy)
- [Legal](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/store/pdf/Supplier_Declaration_Conformity_2015.pdf)

[![Vertical Communications Inc.](https://info.vertical.com/hubfs/image/v.png "v")](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/public)

- [Case Studies](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/case-studies)
- [Whitepapers](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/whitepapers)
- [Consultant Collaboration Program](http://www.vertical.com/ccp)
- [News and Awards](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/news)
- [Jobs at Vertical](http://www.vertical.com/vertical/jobs)

- [](http://twitter.com/#!/verticalcomminc)
- [](http://www.facebook.com/VerticalCommunications)
- [](http://www.linkedin.com/company/7033)

© Vertical Communications Inc. 2024