[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2164-S2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ARGO MARKETING GROUP

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, as the American economy becomes 
increasingly global, small businesses specializing in 
telecommunications and direct-response marketing provide essential 
services to businesses throughout the world. Today, I rise to commend 
and recognize Argo Marketing Group, located in Lewiston, ME, for being 
among the best in this expanding industry.
  Jason Levesque founded Argo in 2003 to provide consulting and direct-
response marketing services to companies in Maine and throughout the 
world. Since that time, this small firm has continued to expand despite 
the turbulent economy, adding numerous jobs throughout the State. In 
2011, Argo Marketing moved from Auburn to Lewiston to allow for a 
company expansion, which included the doubling of

[[Page S2165]]

employees from 25 to 51. Moreover, the firm recently added 25 
additional employees in January of this year to its new location in 
Pittsfield. This remarkable expansion provides high-quality jobs for 
Mainers, which is especially vital after the closing of Global Contract 
Services in Pittsfield, leaving 65 employees without jobs.
  With cutting-edge technology, Argo is a leader in call center service 
and support. The company prides itself on having the best integrated 
system in the industry that is customized to handle a vast array of 
clients. Moreover, Argo has always firmly believed that having 
dedicated professionals as part of the Argo family helps direct the 
path of any given project. There is a pervading philosophy in the 
telecommunications, marketing, and customer service industry that 
retaining a current customer is easier than finding a new one. Indeed, 
customer care is a top priority, especially for small businesses 
competing with larger companies with more resources and cheaper 
products. This quality investment in customer service has been a key 
component in Argo's success.
  Further, Jason understands the importance of an engaged staff and 
giving back to the local community. He consistently works to increase 
company morale and provide an atmosphere where people enjoy coming into 
work every day with a positive attitude. As a dedicated part of the 
Lewistown-Auburn community, this company also donated to Sand Castle 
Pre-School in Lewistown which assists disadvantaged youths.
  Small businesses drive the American economy by consistently creating 
jobs in the private sector while spurring investment in their local 
community. Argo's success and expansion is a glowing example of why 
these firms are so critical to America's economy. It is innovative 
entrepreneurs like Jason Levesque who are going to lead us out of our 
economic morass by creating jobs and opportunity all across our Nation. 
Despite these difficult economic times, he has clearly fostered a 
winning strategy, and I congratulate him and everyone at Argo Marketing 
for their dedication to excellence and for maintaining an impressive 
record of job creation in central Maine. I offer my best wishes for 
their future endeavors.

                          ____________________