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The story of The Whitlock Group is one of evolution. John D. Whitlock started his career in Mineral as a professional musician and an attorney. In 1988, he broke into business as a computer hardware reseller with a staff of five. He then added service and training components. In April 1995, he sold the company's computer division to AmeriData Technologies, but he held on to the small portion of the company that helps businesses with their multimedia and Internet needs.

The company's revenues have since grown 400 percent. The Whitlock Group's expertise ranges from multimedia equipment and consulting to engineering services for communications facilities. The company's bag of tricks "encompasses any kind of information and communication tools that help businesses and professionals communicate better," says Ronda Ellcessor, director of marketing for The Whitlock Group.

The company recently created a state-of-the-art satellite uplink that Norfolk State University uses in its distance-learning program. The Whitlock Group handled consulting, design, engineering, facilities planning, training and installation of all equipment for the project.

At the University of Richmond, the company helped equip eight lecture halls with state-of-the-art presentation equipment, including the first writing tablet-enabled projectors in the United States.

In April 1998, the company spun off an Internet consulting -- "e-business solutions" -- division that quickly grew to 60 employees. This division provides Internet services to medium and large businesses, including custom application development, management consulting and creative services such as web site support and graphic design. The company also provides short- and long-term contract labor for companies throughout Richmond.

The Whitlock Group has created web sites for a wide range of businesses, including Virginia Power, the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business, Health Management Corp., Luck Stone Corp., Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Dominion Solutions, the Richmond Symphony and St. Christopher's School (John Whitlock's alma mater).

When GE Financial Assurance sought help with its year 2000 rollover problems, The Whitlock Group planned, managed and coordinated four concurrent projects involving teams from several cities in two different countries.

The company also helped Richfood Holdings create a web site in which inventory information can be modified and placed on-line immediately using a Microsoft database. Richfood retailers now have easier access to information from the company, and a new interactive truck delivery status system allows them to process orders faster. The system also will be used to generate and distribute reports in a more timely and economical fashion.

Last year, The Whitlock Group was named in Deloitte & Touche's Virginia Technology Fast 50 competition, confirming its place as one of the fastest-growing companies in the state. Most of the companies on that list are based in Northern Virginia, but The Whitlock Group has deep Richmond roots.

"We like Richmond as our corporate headquarters because there are good opportunities to work with many companies of different sizes," says Ellcessor. "There are [several] Fortune 500 companies here, providing a depth and breadth that gives us a good cross-industry exposure".