Case: Maryland Public Service Commission

How it all began …

We were a small court reporting firm that had been in business for about a year when we were awarded a contract with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). Large utility companies were presenting to the PSC to set their rates, so accuracy and timeliness were crucial.

In order to service the PSC and the contract, we studied its terminology and acronyms, familiarized ourselves with the parties, and reviewed previous cases. Our firm ran a 24-hour operation during much of this project, which lasted for several years. If we were not in the hearing room as the reporter, we were preparing transcripts, printing, and copying. This was the first substantial contract for our firm and it ultimately opened the door for future work of this magnitude.

Al recalls that about two months into the PSC contract the then-contract manager commented that the Commission was worried when the previous court reporting vendor, a mainstay at the Commission for more than a decade, was replaced by Al Betz & Associates, Inc. Their main concern was that the quality of the record would suffer temporarily as we became familiar with the unique terminology used at the Commission. The contract manager then complimented us on our seamless entry into the contract. “There were no problems,” he said.

What does this story mean to you and your firm?

Al Betz & Associates, Inc. has proven that we are able to manage growth, while allowing our clients to maintain peace of mind. The PSC contract gave us the confidence to handle larger projects. Thirty years later, we still follow the same practices and principles regardless the size of the project; exceptional customer service is our top priority. Al Betz & Associates, Inc. is a trusted and respected name in the court reporting industry and we work for leading law firms across the country.