Knoxville natives and UT alumni Dane (’97) and Meg (’92) Scism founded Cellular Sales in 1993 with a single location on Cumberland Avenue. It’s now been 31 years, and in that time, the company has grown to nearly 800 stores across 40 states, with a corporate family over 7,000 strong.
As Verizon’s premier retail partner, Cellular Sales offers the latest in smartphones, tablets, and wireless accessories from the world’s most innovative brands.
This astonishing success can be attributed to the company’s core values and unwavering dedication to serving their hometown. CEO Dane Scism’s direction has always been rooted in customer satisfaction through meaningful, personal interactions and holding the door open to great experiences. This commitment to service has distinguished Dane as a business leader. He’s been featured in Jeb Blount’s best-selling book, People Follow You: The Real Secret to Inspiring Your Team to Take Action and voted Entrepreneur of the Year by UT’s Haslam College of Business. In 2021, both Dane and Meg were named UT Distinguished Alumni Award Winners.
Many former Vols also comprise the company’s nationwide leadership, taking this once start-up venture from East Tennessee to cities and towns all over the country. These regional directors oversee stores and employees throughout entire states (and occasionally multiple states), guiding strategy and bringing even more new team members into the fold.
Don White is one of the original regional directors who helped to expand the footprint of Cellular Sales. “I joined Cellular Sales while still studying at UT. Today, along with fellow UT alumnus Scott Love, I serve as regional director of our North Carolina market, with 49 locations across the region. My time at UT helped me develop relationships that led to a career I truly love and prepared me to be a successful leader.”
While Cellular Sales has grown into a national presence, they’re still fiercely proud to be a member of the UT community. They’ve helped hundreds of UT grads kickstart their careers, including Felicia Inomata, a recent graduate who joined the company as a marketing coordinator and now holds an analyst position with the Business Intelligence team.
“Cellular Sales has continuously poured into my career, goals, and development,” Inomata says. “I wouldn’t be where I am now without this family.”
Cellular Sales is leading the way in a fast-moving and competitive market, just as they have for the past 31 years: with integrity and investment in people. That’s the Volunteer difference, homegrown right here in Knoxville.
