Grindstone Inc. is headquartered in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA and was founded by Brian Augustus Parnell in 2003. Brian’s vision was to quickly position the company as a highly professional, strategic business development company. The lack of integrity and professionalism within the B2B telemarketing industry paved the way for Grindstone Inc. to substantially raise the bar and set a new standard. This philosophy has driven the company from its inception. Grindstone is a leader in sales support and direct telesales services for the B2B market place. Services include Lead generation, Lead development and qualification, appointment setting, event promotion, and direct telesales.

Industry leader - Grindstone is a full service, outsourced Business Development Company providing professional sales support and complete sales outsourcing solutions to Domestic and International clients alike. Grindstone specializes in Business to Business programs including direct telesales, lead generation, database updating, customer retention, and appointment setting services. Grindstone recruits, manages, and maintains top level talent through a superior management infrastructure. Consistent communication, feedback, and strategy refinement are a core trait. Grindstone is an extension of each client’s business and operates at the highest levels of professionalism. Every client program starts with the goal of establishing a long term ongoing partnership.

Additionally, Grindstone provides services to all types of businesses including startup companies, small operations, companies that are in turnaround situations, as well as Fortune 500 companies. The company also assists International companies that are looking to penetrate into the United States market space. We are pleased to have serviced clients that include NASA, American Express, L3 Communications, Pitney Bowes, Securitas, Republic Financial and Panasonic. Grindstone is currently strategizing a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University/Software Engineering Institute.

Grindstone firmly believes in superior professionalism. All clients are treated the same regardless of their size and scope of program. Grindstone recognizes that all client programs are driven by results. The company has established proven operation models that ensure its clients receive top notch service. Additionally the focus is on its clients Return on investment. Grindstone is a process driven company that understands long term client relationships rely on consistency, quality performance, and professionalism. The company’s process flows have steps to make certain its clients receive direct and first hand communication from the entire staff. Additionally clients have complete access to real time performance reports via its proprietary web based contact management system. Clients are constantly aware of the progression of their calling campaigns.

Brian Augustus Parnell, President and Founder -a natural entrepreneur and leader, developed Grindstone Inc. with his extensive marketing, sales and call center management experience. Brian served as the Director of Marketing for one of the Largest Mortgage Brokers in the country. Under his management, his Business Development center produced record volumes of high quality leads, significantly expanding the company's reach into the mortgage refinance industry. Prior to that, Brian served as a Marketing and Operations Manager for the largest Debt Management service provider in the U.S., where his creative strategies and entrepreneurial spirit helped to grow their contact center to over 600 counseling professionals. Brian has a natural desire and talent to help companies grow. He has effectively bridged the gap between sales and marketing divisions, redesigned processes and communication flows to maximize revenue opportunities. Brian is a Towson University of Maryland graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Advertising and Communications. He is presently pursuing an MBA.

Shannon Ashworth, Director of Operations- Shannon comes to us with both experience and knowledge in the position. She has been a top performer on our client's programs consisently beating goals.Shannon is a natural leader and motivator. She has over 13 years of sales and sales management experience, and she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from theUniversity from Arkansas.

Lee Ann Rife, Program Manager - Lee Ann has over seven years of dedication in the Telecommunications industry. She has worked within all areas of a call center environment. She was called upon to design and deliver training programs that result in an excited and more knowledgeable team ready to put their training to work. Lee Ann has developed and implemented training curriculum for multiple companies including SBC (the new AT&T). She excels in providing clients a knowledgeable workforce that results in quality customer service from start to finish. She currently enjoys working to help develop custom business development plans for each of Grindstones clients.

Shira Callaway, Program Manager - Shira brings 14 years combined experience in B2B lead generation marketing, sales, professional fundraising and customer service, and the management of a major optical facility in Atlanta, GA. Shira has been a part of her children’s local PTA for years and has even spoke with Key decision makers to help implement the best profit for the schools by going to all state national conferences held on their behalf. As a Program Manager, Shira partners with her clients to understand their business needs and develop customized solutions to meet their business objectives. Shira has excellent communication skills and a "customer first" attitude which she instills in her project teams.

Michael Smith, Director of Business Development - Michael holds over twenty-five years of successful sales, marketing and management experience in diversified businesses. His strengths include an active role in strategic planning and execution towards positive outcomes. He has successfully built product brands and executed marketing campaigns through multi-channel marketing initiatives, developed and managed regional and national sales territories, and captured profitable business opportunities ensuring continued growth for associated organizations. Michael has extensive IT program marketing experience spending many years involved in the Microsoft Business Solutions Partner channel developing and executing sales strategies in the ERP and CRM solution space.

Amy Andrews, Director of Business Development - Amy has several years experience in Human Resources and Call Center Operations. Has previously worked in corporate Human Resources for one of the largest retailers in New England, allowing her to gain experience on all levels of personnel functions, create new training courses for employee development, and implement successful employee recognition programs. Has also worked as a Director of Career Services preparing college graduates for their careers, coordinating job-search workshops, interview/resume writing workshops, and coordinating regional and virtual job fairs. Amy holds a degree in Business Administration from AIU and enjoys working in recruitment because it allows the opportunity to meet people of all backgrounds and assist in their career success.