Exciting News! Facilities Magazine Vol. 2 is here!
Discover how we are leading the way in educational facilities management with award-winning teams, innovative technology, and services that elevate the student experience year after year.
Read Now: https://issuu.com/sscservicesforeducation/docs/2025_facilities_magazine_final_digital?fr=sMjYxNTc5MjMxMzM
Facilities Magazine Vol. 2 is live! Check out this new publication, highlighting some of the incredible people and partnerships that have made the last year truly remarkable.
Read Now: https://issuu.com/sscservicesforeducation/docs/2025_facilities_magazine_final_digital?fr=sMjYxNTc5MjMxMzM
Facilities Magazine Vol. 2 gives an inside look at SSC's best and brightest talent in action. From community impact projects like a dorm room makeover, to insights on virtual reality training and an overview of what it takes to prepare a college football stadium for two record-breaking events in one week, check out what our teams have been working on this year.
Read Now: https://issuu.com/sscservicesforeducation/docs/2025_facilities_magazine_final_digital?fr=sMjYxNTc5MjMxMzM
Congratulations to Zoila Sanchez, Lead Janitor at Alexandria City Public Schools, who was recently awarded Divisional GEM of the Year with SSC!
Zoila is an incredible example of what it means to be a GEM. She is consistent, produces high-quality work and results, and always takes initiative. Her strong work ethic is evident to everyone she works with, and she is a driving force behind the positive and motivating environment created by her team.
To celebrate her achievement, Zoila was presented with a $1,000 check for himself, a crystal trophy, and a $1,000 donation to Alexandria City Public Schools.
#SSCServicesforEducation
Ms. Linda Matthews is a beloved member of the SSC Team and Rattler Nation over at Navasota ISD. She was recently recognized as Account GEM of the Year, and featured by KBTX for her incredible dedication to keeping the district clean and safe for students, teachers and school staff. Way to go, Ms. Linda!
#SSCServicesforEducation
https://www.kbtx.com/2024/11/15/feel-good-friday-navasota-isd-custodian-named-gem-year/
Congratulations to Mr. Jackie Wilson, who was recently celebrated not only as Account GEM of the Year at Richland School District Two, but also Regional GEM of the Year for SSC’s southeastern K-12 region. Mr. Jackie was recognized for his work quality. Will Anderson, Chief Operations Officer for the school district, called out specifically his diligence in keeping the campus in top shape through extended construction. Way to go, Mr. Jackie! #SSCServicesforEducation
Justin Greer is this year’s Regional GEM of the Year across all of SSC’s Georgia and Tennessee partner schools. GEM Awards celebrate service heroes who go above and beyond in their role, showing students and staff that they care and showcasing the high standards that allow us to serve our partner schools well.
Justin was recently celebrated by both SSC leadership & school district leadership for the incredible service and dedication he has displayed in the last year. Congratulations, Justin!
Join us in celebrating Ashley Tunnicliff, one of SSC's incredible Regional GEM of the Year recipients.
Ashley has been with SSC for three years and rarely misses work. She shows remarkable dedication and unmatched work ethic to the crucial role she plays on dayshift.
Ashley quickly retained all training and knowledge upon starting with SSC, and she quickly advanced in her career to become day shift lead. She has an outstanding personality that is crucial in her success, and she is loved by all district staff and students alike. Ashley was recently presented with a Regional GEM of the Year award and taken out to lunch by her RRM, RDM and UD in celebration of her excellent work supporting our partner schools.
Laurie Schmith is an incredible leader, and she has seen tremendous growth within SSC since joining the team in October 2020. As a recent graduate of our Hourly High Potential Program, her future is bright, and we can't wait to see where her career in facilities management takes her!
Unit Director Karla Gulley has seen Laurie's growth firsthand. Here's what she had to say:
"Laurie started with SSC in October 2020 as a night custodian. She moved into a day custodian position at one of our elementary schools where she was working within the first year of her employment with us. She started helping at the high school with events and soon moved into the lead position at Beech Grove High School, where she has been for the past two years. She has been identified as a leader and aspires to grow with our company. She just finished the HiPo program and will start the Harvard Manage Mentor program very soon. She is an asset to SSC!”
Jennifer Friz is remarkable - and her career journey hasn't just benefited her - she's made it a goal to elevate others as she grows. She's a great example of what it means to be people-oriented and a true testament to our culture at SSC!
https://facilityexecutive.com/fm-profile-keep-on-growing/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dlvr.it-linkedin_social
#SSCServicesforEducation
During a recent site visit to Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation, John Lane, SSC's VP of Facility Systems and Support, encountered Adam Slota. Adam is a custodian for the school district, and he consistently goes the extra mile. Most recently, he took it upon himself to reorganize an entire supply room at Fishers High School.
Before he started, the closet was nearly impossible to walk through. When he wrapped up, every team member could easily navigate the closet and find everything they need to work efficiently. Way to go, Adam!
#SSCServicesforEducation #EmployeeRecognition
The Babcock Center in South Carolina is an organization on a mission to provide an inclusive, barrier-free community for people with lifelong disabilities. Each year, they celebrate excellence in inclusion within the Columbia, SC community through the Babcock Center Employee Awards.
We are excited to share that SSC Services for Education at Richland County School District Two was honored as 2024 Employer of the Year, in recognition of the team’s efforts to support, empower and provide opportunities for all in the Columbia, SC area.
Congratulations to the entire SSC Richland Two Team!
South Bend Community School Corporation and the SSC Grounds Team, led by Brenton Kerr, received incredible recognition through a PGMS Green Star Grand Award for their athletic complexes at this year's annual conference.
SBCSC is the first K-12 public institution to receive a Grand Award in 52 years.
The grounds team manages 84 acres of athletic fields across 30 square miles. They collaborate with district coaches and athletic directors to meet their specific needs, and because of the transformation seen, SBCSC athletic fields are in high demand for regional and sectional events for multiple sports.
Way to go, South Bend & SSC teams!
#SSCServicesforEducation #ExcellenceinGrounds #PGMS2024
Year after year, it's an honor to see our grounds teams across the country receive recognition at the annual PGMS Green Star Awards. This year, we are excited to share that four SSC partner schools & grounds teams received Grand Awards for their efforts in creating innovative, sustainable and beautiful landscapes, spaces and grounds programs.
Congratulations to:
South Bend Community School Corporation
Texas A&M University - Aggie Park
Murray State University
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Click here to read more about this year's award-winning campuses: https://sscserv.com/news/2024-pgms-green-star-awards/
#SSCServicesforEducation #PGMS2024 #ExcellenceinGrounds
Willie Roberts, a dedicated groundskeeper at Queens University of Charlotte, has been awarded SSC's Divisional GEM of the Year for the higher education division. This prestigious award recognizes Willie as one of just four recipients company-wide.
To celebrate his achievement, Willie was presented with a $1,000 check for himself, a crystal trophy, and a $1,000 donation to Queens University of Charlotte.
Willie's manager, Facilities Director Joel Phelps, shared some insight into why Willie was selected for this recognition:
“Willie is one of the most recognized faces on campus, always greeting everyone with a smile. With many years of service to Queens, he truly embodies what it means to be an SSC ambassador. Thank you, Willie, for your outstanding customer service and dedication!”
Congratulations, Willie, and thank you for setting an incredible example!
Congratulations to Barbara Hatchel - Fine Horticulture Manager at Texas A&M, on receiving the PGMS President's Award for outstanding service and contributions at this year's PGMG Annual Conference.
Barbara has been a leading force behind the excellence in our grounds program at A&M, and her presence in the grounds industry is impressive, to say the least. She was one of the founding members of the Texas Branch and has served in numerous roles within the organization for almost 20 years.
This year, Barbara also completed the LEAD Leadership Program and received a PGMS Green Star Grand Award alongside Texas A&M and the SSC Grounds Team for their work at Aggie Park.
#SSCServicesforEducation #ExcellenceinGrounds #PGMS
Each year, the SSC grounds team gives out the “I Got It” Award in honor of Erik Proksch, a grounds senior project manager with SSC who passed away from COVID-19.
Josh Hebig, grounds unit director at Henderson State University, was selected as the recipient the 2024 "I Got It" Award. Josh is known for making anything happen - he can take any request and will find a way to do it without hesitation or complaint. His first priority is his team, and he will personally take on extra work to ensure that he is not overwhelming them during busy seasons.
Thank you for representing our values well and serving our partner schools with excellence, Josh!
It's always incredible to see our teams celebrated for the great work they do!
SSC Facilities Director John Hardin was recently recognized at a City of Arkadelphia board meeting alongside our partner, Sandy Mabry, Director of Facilities and Construction Management, for their incredible work on campus at Henderson State University. Over the past few years of partnership, the HSU SSC team has drastically improved the appearance of the campus, and it's been recognized by students, university staff, and the community alike.
Way to go, HSU Team! #SSCServicesforEducation
We're always looking for unique ways to give back to our school communities, and this fall our team found a new way to directly impact a first year student at Johnson C. Smith University - a residential room makeover! Through a partnership with The Vogue Room Foundation, student Julissa showed up to campus this fall to the room of her dreams: A Pink Paradise.
Check out more: https://sscserv.com/news/mission-match-dorm-room-makeover-at-johnson-c-smith-university/
#SSCServicesforEducation
On the morning of October 30th, SSC discovered a major water leak on the main domestic water line in the basement of the Student Rec Center at Texas A&M University. Immediately upon discovery, Supervisor Cody Bernhard began organizing an effort to control the damage, repair the leak, and clean all affected areas with minimal disruption to the facility.
With assistance from the SSC Operations team, TAMU Utilities, and TAMU Rec Sports, the onsite team contacted a trusted vendor to begin repairs. Throughout the day and night, Cody and the TAMU Facilities team stayed onsite every step of the way. After two days of work repairing faulty areas of plumbing, water was fully restored.
Kudos to Cody and his team for going above and beyond to resolve this quickly and minimize the impact on the Student Rec Center.
Congratulations to Murray State University, Grounds Manager Peter Reimnitz, and the SSC Grounds Team on being awarded a PGMS Green Star Grand Award!
The grounds department at MSU strives to provide a campus department that is clean, safe, encouraging and inviting for students, staff and visitors. They also put a focus on being actively involved in moving the university's mission of education and teaching excellence forward - Peter is a Professor of Turfgrass Science at the University and spends time every semester sharing his years of knowledge and expertise with students.
#SSCServicesforEducation #ExcellenceinGrounds #PGMS
Aggie Park at Texas A&M University in College Station was celebrated at this year's PGMS Annual Conference with a Green Star Grand Award! Congratulations to Fine Horticulture Manager Barbara Hatchel and her incredible team of experts who oversee this area of campus and continue to elevate it year after year.
Aggie Park is a 20-acre meeting point at the heart of Texas A&M University. On any given day, you will find students and community members using this space to study, socialize, and exercise, and not a month goes by where Aggie Park doesn't host a large event. Caring for this space requires great expertise, and we are proud of our grounds team for doing it with excellence!
Sending a special shoutout to Texas A&M University - San Antonio and the SSC Grounds Team, who were recognized with a PGMS Green Star Grand Award at this year's annual conference.
Texas A&M University - San Antonio is the fastest growing university within the A&M system, and the only A&M institution of higher learning in a metropolitan area. Campus landscapes have been created to reflect the culture and history of San Antonio and South Texas. Even with the added challenge of years of drought in the area and a strict, once a week irrigation schedule, the SSC Grounds Team continues to level up the curb appeal of campus and find new ways to keep the grounds safe and aesthetically pleasing for all students, faculty and staff.
#SSCServicesforEducation #PGMS2024 #ExcellenceinGrounds
Year after year, it's an honor to see our grounds teams across the country receive recognition at the annual PGMS Green Star Awards. This year, we are excited to share that four SSC partner schools & grounds teams received Grand Awards for their efforts in creating innovative, sustainable and beautiful landscapes, spaces and grounds programs.
Congratulations to:
South Bend Community School Corporation
Texas A&M University - Aggie Park
Murray State University
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Click here to read more about this year's award-winning campuses: https://sscserv.com/news/2024-pgms-green-star-awards/
#SSCServicesforEducation #PGMS2024 #ExcellenceinGrounds
Facilities management continues to evolve and grow, and as it does, more women are stepping up to learn and lead in the industry. SSC HR Manager Maia Renshaw shares how HR teams are tackling the talent gap and creating more opportunities for women in facilities in a recent interview, now featured on FacilitiesNet.
Read Now: https://www.facilitiesnet.com/facilitiesmanagement/tip/How-to-Recruit-More-Women-to-Join-Facilities-Management--54641
#WorkforceDevelopment #WomenInFM
#SSCServicesforEducation
Wondering what we anticipate becoming more and more prevalent in facilities management in the coming years? The answer is simple: Technology.
Regional Vice President Catherine Merritt breaks down how to ensure your investment in autonomous equipment provides the return you are looking for in her article, featured in Cleaning and Maintenance Management Magazine.
Read Now: https://cmmonline.com/articles/maximize-your-roi-for-autonomous-mobile-robots
#SSCServicesforEducation
Facilities management continues to grow, and with that growth comes more opportunities to build an incredibly rewarding career. Regional Vice President Catherine Merritt recently joined BUILDINGS Podcast host Janelle Penny to discuss her own journey in facilities, challenges the industry presents, and tips for other women who are ready to build a career and try something new.
Click here to listen: https://www.buildings.com/podcast/podcast/55246418/tips-for-women-in-facilities-careers
Sustainability and savings are rarely mentioned in the same breath, but smart irrigation practices offer a rare opportunity for both. SSC's VP of Grounds Management, Brandon Haley, breaks down how to make it happen in your grounds program in his article, featured in Turf Magazine.
Learn More: https://turfmagazine.com/smart-savings-with-smart-irrigation/
#SSCServicesforEducation
Insects - sometimes we love them, sometimes we don't want them in our backyards. When wasps make their home in your space, it's understandable to want to get rid of them quickly.
Check out this article featuring tips from Grounds Manager Bryan Mcgee the next time you find yourself wondering what to do about the wasps in your yard.
#SSCServicesforEducation
https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a61878070/how-to-get-rid-of-wasp-nest/
Welcome to snow and ice season! At our cold-weather accounts, we know that it is essential to have a plan in place for snow and ice removal well in advance of this season, to ensure students, faculty, staff and visitors can safely learn and work at our partner schools.
Grounds Project Manager Chris Metcalf gives an inside look into what it takes to prepare for winter, and provides his recommendations for the best tools and equipment in a recently published feature on CMM Online.
Read More: https://cmmonline.com/articles/freeze-out-your-competition-not-your-clients
As an aging workforce begins to retire, many facilities professionals are taking a look at how to recruit the next generation of leaders. In grounds management, there are plenty of factors to draw in excited, innovative professionals - a focus on new technology, endless career paths, and an opportunity to lead the way in sustainable initiatives are just a few.
Grounds Project Manager Eric Harshman breaks down some of the best ways to tap into a new talent pool in his recent article in Facility Executive. Click here to read: https://facilityexecutive.com/next-generation-of-lawn-care-landscape-sports-field-management/
Everyone learns in different ways. The challenge for many organizations is finding a training method that allows each associate to understand and retain what they have learned over time. Simulation-based training is commonplace in other industries - and as it emerges in facilities management, it's changing the game.
From interactive simulated scenarios that mirror the day-to-day tasks associates face, to fully immersive virtual reality environments, learn more about how these real-life training methods are changing out industry for the better.
Read More: https://cmmonline.com/articles/real-life-training-with-virtual-reality
