Growing Companies

One of the nation's fastest-growing private companies -- and one with a unique culture -- is located in Northern Kentucky.

DEFENDER Direct, an Indianapolis-based authorized dealer for ADT Security Services and the Dish Network, recently opened a new 14,000-square-foot call center in the Newport Shopping Center.

The company, which founder and CEO Dave Lindsey started out of a spare bedroom in 1998 with a single-digit staff, now boasts revenues upwards of $80 million annually and has grown into a 40-state distributor for several technology brands and customer service. It has offices in 175 cities and more than 1,500 employees, including its call centers in Indianapolis, Batesville, and Cincinnati. Initially, the company became interested in Northern Kentucky after noticing many of its Cincinnati employees lived south of the river.

Impressed with the workforce, the company looked into opening a new location in Northern Kentucky
and found favorable tax incentives from the Kentucky Business Investment Program and wide support from the City of Newport, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

In return, the area is getting a company fueled by passion which places a strong emphasis on employee growth.

In addition to in-depth job training, DEFENDER provides many resources for employees’ personal growth and self improvement.  For example, DEFENDER recently instituted a tuition reimbursement program for employees looking to pursue a college education.

Through the program, employees can get up to $5,250 per year to pursue a professional degree. The company invests approximately $16,000 in each employee's personal and professional growth through its DEFENDER Leadership Advantage program, a tightly scheduled four-year program that includes suggested books, seminars, training and personal growth opportunities.