Micro Computer World purchased

LONGMONT — Micro Computer World Inc. has been sold, and the new owner plans to double the size of the company in a year˜s time.
John Nastasi, who purchased the computer hardware retailer for an undisclosed sum from partners Bert Masterson and Randy and Rick Wallace, said the company is primed for growth on a national scale.
The company employs 45 people at four locations in Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont and Loveland, and reported revenues of $13 million in 1996.
Masterson and the Wallaces started Micro Computer World in 1982, and the company has been profitable from the start, Randy Wallace said.
"The company is really on a spiral upward," Wallace said. "We˜re at a particular point in our history where having someone with John˜s experience come in will create a dramatic increase in business."
Wallace said an outstanding staff, increased focus on customer service and affiliations with the top vendors in the country mean the company is poised to undergo rapid growth in the next few years.
Nastasi also is optimistic about the company˜s future. A veteran of the computer business, he worked with Electronic Data Systems Corp. for 24 years, served as a senior management consultant for Fortune 100 companies and was vice-president of information technology at Neodata Services Inc. for four years.
"I˜ve always been interested in pursuing my own entrepreneurial instincts, and this was a good opportunity for me to do just that," Nastasi said.
Nastasi plans to focus on integrating hardware, software and networking to create complete technical solutions for businesses. He also plans to increase the size of his staff and says that his acquaintances in the industry will enable him to sell to large corporations as well as small and medium-sized businesses.
The company sells and services all major name brand computers and manufactures its own computer. A wide selection and emphasis on service gives the company a competitive edge over smaller stores and general appliance retailers, Nastasi said.
"We provide a middle ground that˜s sensitive to business˜ needs," he said.
The former owners are pleased with Nastasi˜s plans for the company, Wallace said, adding that they turned down a significantly higher offer submitted by a large corporation and accepted Nastasi˜s lower bid because he shared their view of where the company should go.
"I˜ve been with the company for two or three weeks since the sale and things are flowing very well," he said.
Masterson and Randy Wallace plan to retire while Rick Wallace will pursue an interest in real estate.