New Call Center Opens In Mesa's Fiesta District, Expected To Employ 970 People Over Three Years
Predictable weather, a different time zone and nearby colleges are among the reasons why a car loan company decided to open its newest customer service center in the East Valley.
CEO Jason Kulas of Santander Consumer USA said the lack of tornadoes, hurricanes and damaging earthquakes was a big draw for the Dallas-based company.
During Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Mesa announced that Santander plans to employ more than 970 people over three years. Mayor John Giles told Mesa's channel 11 he asked Kulas why he picked the East Valley town and the CEO pointed across the street to Mesa Community College.
“They are very interested in the young, educated, motivated workforce that Mesa has to offer," said Giles.
Santander’s call center is in the Fiesta District, near U.S. 60 and Loop 101. Over the last several years, many big box retailers and restaurants around Fiesta Mall closed their doors and city leaders have focused on turning the area into an employment center.
According to Kulas, Santander has 5,900 employees servicing 2.7 million customers in all 50 states.
