History of Tessco

 
Robert Barnhill Sr

1952 | Tessco is Born

Bob Barnhill Sr. (1917–2003) started Barnhill & Associates Inc. in 1952 and TESSCO (Towson Engineering Sales & Service Company) shortly thereafter. TESSCO was a consultant and manufacturers’ representative to the up-and-coming electronic component and communications industry. This original TESSCO was the foundation for today’s TESSCO Technologies Incorporated.

 
 

1982 | Tessco Becomes Your Total Source®

Chairman, President & CEO Robert B. Barnhill, Jr. (Barney), rebrands Tessco as the Your Total Source® supplier to the, then fledgling, mobile radio industry. This not only presented the company as a one-stop shop for customer needs, but it also communicated the breadth to which Tessco would stretch for its customers.

Robert Barnhill Jr

 
 
Tessco NASDAQ

1994 | Tessco Goes Live on NASDAQ Market

September 27, Tessco entered the NASDAQ Global Market and became a publicly traded company under the symbol TESS.

 
 

1996 | Global Logistics Center Opens

By this point, Tessco was playing a key role in the communications industry and quickly growing. In March of 1996, Tessco opened the Global Logistics Center (GLC), allowing the distribution warehouse and corporate offices to be under one roof again, seamlessly working together.

Global Logistics Center Opens

 
 
Tessco Website Launches

1998 | Website Launches

Tessco launches its first website, reaching customers in a whole new way.

 
 

1999-2006 | Tessco Expands

Tessco opens locations in Reno and San Antonio to better serve customers across the country and provide quick delivery for all western states.

Tessco Reno Building

 
 
Ventev Launches

2008 | Ventev Launches

Ventev is introduced as a key manufacturer under the Tessco name, providing innovative wireless industry products.

 
 

2010 | Diversity NXT Gen Corporation Award

Tessco receives the Diversity NXT Gen Corporation Award, the industry’s highest accolade as recognition for utilization and advocacy of diverse suppliers.

Diversity NXT Gen Corporation Award

 
 
Tessco Rebrands

2017 | Tessco Reinvents Itself

Tessco underwent a complete organizational rebrand, from a new logo and corporate colors, to a rejuvenated slogan, tone, and corporate values. Although we changed visually, and went from referring to ourselves as TESSCO Technologies to Tessco, our core message stayed the same, Tessco & You, Building Our Wireless World, Together®.

 
 

2020-2021 | A Streamlined Focus

Tessco sold its retail and Ventev Mobile Device Accessory businesses, fully dedicating its resources and focus on the growth of its commercial best-in-class distribution business, the Ventev infrastructure brand, and managed software services.

Tessco Sells Retail Business

 
 
Tessco Finalizes Merger Deal

2023 | Tessco Finalizes Merger Deal

July 17, Tessco finalized merger deal with entities affiliated with Lee Equity Partners and Twin Point Capital, which also own Alliance Corporation and GetWireless. After this merger deal was finalized, Tessco is now operating as a private company.

 
 

2023 | David Eckelbarger

David Eckelbarger joins Tessco as the new Chief Executive Officer.

David Eckelbarger

BillPay Online Payment Portal

Get in Touch

 

Register for tessco.com

Discover the full benefits of tessco.com, your personal gateway to the wireless world.

Register Now