# Rich Balot

> Richard “Rich” Balot is the founder and CEO of Victra, the independently owned Verizon authorized retailer he started with his brother Dave in Wilson, North Carolina, in 1996. After selling control in 2015, he returned as CEO in 2019 and bought back a majority interest with partners in 2021. He is a 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast Award winner, an East Carolina University trustee and president of John Paul II Catholic High School.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Victra - Verizon Authorized Retailer
- **Organizations:** Victra, East Carolina University Board of Trustees, John Paul II Catholic High School, YPO
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
- **Known for:** Built Victra from one store into a nationwide wireless retailer., 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast Award winner., Led Victra’s 2022 acquisition of Go Wireless.

## Career timeline

- **Teenage years** — Started a mobile DJ business in North Carolina.
- **1996-10** — Founded the ABC Phones partnership with his brother Dave in Wilson, North Carolina; their father was the first employee.
- **1999** — ABC Phones of North Carolina was incorporated.
- **2015** — Sold controlling interest and retired as CEO.
- **2019-04** — Returned as CEO.
- **2021** — Bought back a majority interest with his brother and other partners.
- **2022-04** — Victra announced the Go Wireless acquisition, taking its footprint to nearly 1,600 locations in 49 states.
- **2024-06** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast Award winner.
- **2025-07** — Joined the ECU Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2029.

## Achievements

- Built Victra from one store into a nationwide wireless retailer.
- 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast Award winner.
- Led Victra’s 2022 acquisition of Go Wireless.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Discussed his early DJ business, family backing, return as CEO and company buyback on Inspired Stories, published September 29.
- **2026-04** — Appeared on The Boon of Wireless to discuss the retail business, Total Wireless and a roadmap toward 2,000 stores.
- **2026-01** — In a Pulse 2.0 interview, described roughly 1,800 locations across Verizon and Total Wireless and revenue exceeding $3 billion.

## Links

- Website: https://victra.com/team/rich-balot/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbalot/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rich-balot
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20