John Granby plays a key role in helping the country’s largest wireless provider expand its reach.

As Great Lakes market president for Basking Ridge, NJ-headquartered Verizon Wireless, Granby oversees the day-to-day operations and strategy for all assets in his nine-state region; this includes retail distribution, stores, business-to-business operations, sales operations, about 5,000 employees, 300 company-owned stores, another 600 agent locations, third-party big box stores in the territory, and more.

When it comes to strategy, Granby is working to find opportunities to widen and deepen the company’s market penetration.

“We’re focusing on different segments and customers, and how to make sure the needs and wants of various market segments are being met,” says Granby.

“We’re exploring the changing demographics of the marketplace to ensure we’re offering products that cater to all people.”

This growth means there’s no lack of opportunities to become part of the Verizon family of businesses.

“There’s a place for aspiring professionals of all backgrounds and desires here,” he notes.

Through legacy companies, Granby has been with Verizon for 23 years. When he started, it was an industry at its infancy, punctuated by periods of rapid growth.

“Back then, it was all about voice-to-voice communications, but it has certainly grown with emerging technology and emerging ways of communication. It’s really changing how people function. The industry really drew me in in that way.”

Granby has grown with the company during the last two-plus decades, starting as a sales and service rep at a Sam’s Club kiosk.

“It’s where I learned the business, learned from the frontline, how our company engages with our customers. It really helped me build a fundamental understanding of the business, customers, the competition, all of the systems. It’s something I’ve taken with me through to today,” he shares.

“Our frontline employees are the lifeblood of our company, and over 20 some years, I’ve worked to ensure that our frontline employees are the best trained and best equipped they can possibly be. If we do that, customers are happy and we create a solid business.”

Granby’s experience of growing with the company and learning from the frontlines is echoed in his top advice for early-stage professionals.

“I’ve learned over the years that time goes by very fast,” says Granby. “Out of college, many people have high expectations - they want to jump straight to the C suite. In many cases, that’s unrealistic and you do yourself a disservice. It’s okay to start at the ground level, learn what it takes to be successful. That provides so many meaningful lessons, shows you what success looks like, gives you your own tools and skill sets. I encourage young professionals to start on the frontline; it’ll help you be successful as your career matures.”

To find career opportunities at Verizon Wireless, visit verizon.com/about/careers. Connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.