The courage to quit your job and follow the American dream can be overwhelming, but with the skills she acquired at the University of Southern Indiana, Allison (Schmitt) Long ’06 did just that.
A life-long west side Evansville resident, Long grew up attending summer camps at USI and always felt a sense of belonging on campus. When she graduated from Reitz High School in 2002, she knew she wanted to stay local for college, and the Marketing Program at USI appealed to her. While attending USI, she worked at McDonald’s, progressing after graduation to general manager and eventually to area supervisor for nine restaurants in Indiana and Kentucky. In this role, she was responsible for $20 million in annual sales and more than 500 employees.
Long’s husband, Brandon, had previously worked in the underground utility locating business, and together, they realized the area’s growing need for these services. With Allison’s management and marketing experience and Brandon’s vast knowledge of utility locating - while both still worked full time - they founded their LLC, On the Spot Utility Resources in 2008. Eventually, business began to flourish and both realized they needed to fully commit to On the Spot. Starting in the private sector with USI as one of their first client contracts, they broadened into public utility locating services and grew their company into one of the largest and most expansive in the state. At USI, Long’s company has assisted with projects such as Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles; the Aquatic Center; and the recently renovated Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center.
They currently have over 200 employees in six states and are continually expanding. Some of their biggest clients include CenterPoint Energy, Evansville Water and Sewer and Duke Energy.
Long credits her courses at USI for providing the skills to succeed, including those outside her major such as economics and business management. In 2022, On the Spot was named as one of the “50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies” in the United States and Allison herself was named to The Junior League of Evansville’s “Top Women in Business.”
Congratulations, Allison!