(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 14, 2009 ) SAN DIEGO, CA, April 14, 2009 – The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) and the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) have reinforced their research branches with the hiring of Michael Israel, a 30-year service industry veteran. AFSMI and SSPA are part of a network of associations, including the Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA), leading the technology services and support industry.

Michael previously had founded igniteService, Inc. and has worked in customer support, field service, and repair operations for more than 30 years. He has significant service operational experience, having spent 15 years—including 12 years with IBM—managing field service, service parts, and technical support operations. He also spent more than 15 years selling and marketing customer service, service management, and service parts management software solutions to manufacturers and service providers in a wide variety of industries. His sales and marketing roles included management and executive-level positions with Oracle, SAP, and other leading software organizations. In addition, Michael was a widely respected research director in the service chain practice at Aberdeen Group, where he researched and reported on customer support, field service, maintenance, and repair topics.

In his role with AFSMI and SSPA, Michael will be responsible for expanding the research portfolio in the area of field and support services. He will be working closely with both AFMSI and SSPA members to provide the industry data they need to optimize their services organizations.

“Michael’s extensive experience in researching services practices will accelerate the insights we can deliver to our members,” said Thomas Lah, executive director of TPSA. “AFMSI and SSPA represent a unique platform for driving services innovation. Michael insights are another wonderful addition to that innovation engine.”

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About AFSMI
The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) is the global leader in helping service professionals and field services organizations deliver more value to their customers. www.afsmi.com.

About SSPA
The Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) is a key resource for the information and best practices needed to make better business decisions. www.thesspa.com.

About TPSA
The Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA) is the only organization for executives who create, deliver, manage, measure, and optimize technology services in the world’s leading corporations. www.tpsaonline.com.

Contact Information:
AFSMI, SSPA, and TPSA
Tom Rich
Tel: 978-466-5063
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