Jennifer Friz began her career in hospitality, where she built a strong foundation in operations, service delivery, and leadership. After several years in that field, she realized her growth potential was limited and made the decision to pursue new opportunities with a new organization: Compass Group. There, she quickly advanced into leadership roles, and at a company event she connected with a mentor who encouraged her to embrace challenges and explore other sectors within the organization. That advice ultimately led her to SSC Services for Education.

Drawn to SSC’s strong sense of family and culture, Jennifer joined the company in 2018 as a Regional Director of Operations, overseeing accounts across Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. She quickly proved herself as a leader who valued relationships and results, and as her territory and responsibilities expanded, she was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2023.

In her current role, Jennifer focuses on building and developing leaders. While she still spends much of her time on the road visiting accounts and supporting operations, her priority is ensuring that regional directors are equipped to lead their teams successfully. She views her role as multiplying leadership, helping others grow so they, in turn, can empower directors and frontline associates. For Jennifer, success in facilities management has always been about people, and she takes pride in seeing team members advance from frontline roles into management and leadership positions.

Managing a large region presents its challenges, particularly balancing travel, relationships, and support for some of SSC’s largest accounts. But for Jennifer, those challenges are offset by the strong partnerships she has built over time. Many of the managers she works with today are the same ones she supported as an RDO, and those shared experiences have created a deep level of trust and collaboration.

Looking ahead, Jennifer’s goal is to continue developing the next generation of leaders who will carry SSC forward. She believes that by providing strong onsite leadership and cultivating talent within the organization, SSC can continue to grow while delivering exceptional service to partner schools.

Her advice to anyone considering a career in facilities management is simple: don’t be afraid to raise your hand. Building connections, asking for opportunities, and being open to growth are the keys to success. Jennifer’s own journey is proof that at SSC, career advancement is possible at every level – and with the right mindset, anyone can build a rewarding and impactful career here.