Tim Houlne

Tim Houlne is an American business executive, entrepreneur, and author known for his work in outsourcing and homeshoring, remote working, and artificial intelligence (AI) in customer service. He is the founder and current CEO of Humach, a company that uses human agents and AI in customer experience solutions. Previously, he was co-founder and CEO of Working Solutions, a virtual contact center company in the United States.

Early life and education

Houlne graduated from Missouri Western State University (MWSU) in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and from the University of Texas in Dallas with an MBA.[1] In 2024, MWSU and North Central Missouri College renamed the Convergent Technology Alliance Center to the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology.[1][2][3] The 20,000 square-foot learning laboratory provides training and applied education experiences in industries such as AI, cybersecurity, manufacturing and construction, and service technologies.[4][5]

Career

In 1998, Houlne co-founded Working Solutions, a Plano, Texas-based U.S. outsourcing company that provides customer service using remote, home-based agents.[6][7] As CEO, he oversaw the development of a virtual workforce model that routes service calls to either domestic or offshore agents, according to client needs and service requirements.[6][8]  

In 2015, Houlne founded Humach, a customer experience outsourcing provider that uses human service agents with AI-based digital agents.[9][10] The company derives its name from the combination of services provided by humans and machines.[11] Its clients include Amazon, Carfax and McDonald’s.[12] The company acquired InfiniteAI in 2020[10] and Markets EQ in 2025.[12]

In 2013, Houlne was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Southwest Region).[13]

He is the co-author of several, well-received books[14][15] focused on the evolution of work, the gig economy, and the influence of AI in customer-facing roles.[13]

Works

  • The New World of Work: From the Cube to the Cloud (2013) ISBN 0982562276 OCLC 813933360
  • The New World of Work, Second Edition: The Cube, the Cloud and What’s Next (2023) ISBN 9781642258318 OCLC 1389815847
  • The Intelligent Workforce: How Humans & Machines Will Co-Create a Better Future (2024) ISBN 9798887501604 OCLC 1439598569

References

  1. ^ a b Knight, Jazmine (July 24, 2024). "Missouri Western names technology center after alum, entrepreneur". News-Press NOW. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  2. ^ KQ2 (2024-11-18). Local area leaders celebrate the completion of MWSU's Houlne Center. Retrieved 2025-07-02 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Kuhnert, Alexis (2024-07-24). "CTAC reveals name for new building". KQ2. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  4. ^ Schowe, Colin (2024-11-19). "Western Missouri State and NCMC Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Houlne Center". KMZU.com. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  5. ^ News-Press NOW (2024-11-17). MWSU to host grand opening for Houlne Center. Retrieved 2025-07-02 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Tiffany, Laura (2007-11-07). "Bringing Work Home - Entrepreneur.com". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  7. ^ White, Erin (2008-02-25). "Subprime Lessons Hit Home for CEOs In Other Industries". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  8. ^ Shellenbarger, Sue (2006-01-12). "Outsourcing Jobs to the Den: Call Centers Tap People Who Want to Work at Home". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  9. ^ Mathews, Jessica (April 8, 2025). "History suggests a tariff-induced downturn may cause a reckoning in the venture capital industry". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  10. ^ a b Brennan, Sarah (2020-07-17). "Humach announces acquisition of InfinitAI". IT Pro. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  11. ^ Chowdhry, Amit (2025-03-07). "Humach: Interview With CEO Tim Houlne About The Intelligent Workforce Company". Pulse 2.0. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  12. ^ a b Raudins, Sam (April 8, 2025). "Albany startup acquired by national company with big-name clients". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  13. ^ a b "Dallas Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013". D Magazine. June 24, 2013. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  14. ^ "Business book reviews: The New World of Work and Act Now!". Dallas News. March 16, 2013. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  15. ^ "The New World of Work - Act Now!". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. March 24, 2013. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
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