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Cummins Facility Services

Categories: ISSA Member Spotlight

Jill Fry, president and CEO of Cummins Facility Services (CFS), is a vibrant force of nature. With her infectious energy and enthusiasm for her work, Frey has been at the forefront of the facilities management industry, leading her company to new heights.

This article will examine Frey’s journey, her vision for CFS, and her commitment to creating a healthy and thriving workplace. But first, a little history lesson.

Small beginnings

It was in 1972 that Ron and Myra Cummins started Cummins Facility Services right from their kitchen table in a small town in Ohio. They began by offering cleaning services and floor care to local businesses. Ron took great satisfaction in making floors shine again. Myra diligently took care of the administrative needs and accounts, keeping the company going.

In 1994, Ron and Myra turned over the reins to their daughter. When Jill Frey took leadership of the local family-owned business, there were only 15 employees. Since then, CFS has grown into a national, family-owned, and 100% woman-owned organization with an impressive workforce. It is now a fully certified facility management company that provides a vast range of high-quality services. They continually look for ways to make sure their clients receive best-in-class service. CFS’ highly trained employees work so that every client receives the personal attention they deserve.

How has Frey been able to accomplish this?

The woman herself

On a recent episode of Straight Talk! Jeff Cross had the pleasure of interviewing Jill Frey. She joined the conversation with her characteristic enthusiasm. “I’m pleased to be here with all of you today,” she exclaimed, setting the tone for an exciting discussion. The entire interview can be watched below.

Introducing Frey and her role at Cummins Facility Services, Cross highlighted the remarkable journey of CFS, from a local company in Ohio to nationally recognized, yet keeping its Midwestern values. “We just celebrated our 50^th-anniversary last year,” Frey proudly declared, emphasizing the significance of the second-generation, family-run enterprise.

Frey is a well-respected leader in the facility services industry. She assumed leadership of Cummins Facility Services (CFS) immediately after graduating from the University of Toledo and has dedicated her career to developing the company her parents created. Under her leadership, Frey has grown it into a first-rate facility management organization with 10 regional offices, servicing over 200 million square feet of their clients’ facilities across the United States.

As a successful business owner and executive, she is involved in the following organizations: The Facility Data Standard Consortium (FDS), Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), Young Executives, Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) as well as ISSA.

Frey actively participates in several things that she believes will continue to benefit her business and herself. Let’s see what some of them are.

Standards in facility management

One of Frey’s main focuses is on the standards set in facility management. Her role as chairwoman and co-founder of the non-profit organization Facility Data Standard (FDS) is particularly important to her. FDS is an innovative interface, that enables buildings to communicate and provide valuable insights. The project aims to bring transparency and data-driven decision-making to the forefront of facilities management, bringing visualization and standards to buildings for better communication and efficiency.

The mission of FDS: “The Facility Data Standard Consortium (FDS) is dedicated to advancing global open standards for secure data transfer and integration in the facility ecosystem, developed by the industry subject matter experts so that the benefits of electronic information technology are widely, quickly, and economically available to the industry.”

Employee focus

Another subject of super importance to Frey is her employees. She is especially enthusiastic about nurturing mental health and well-being and promoting work-life balance.

“COVID brought out a lot of things for us and for our employees. It really let me see a light that was shown on mental health,” says Frey in the interview. Inspired by the challenges her employees faced during the pandemic, she has delved into topics like embracing the unknown, nurturing mental health, and building a thriving workplace through articles she has personally written.

When asked about the difficulties of recruiting good employees, especially in a competitive market, Frey revealed that referrals have been invaluable, and they actively collaborate with schools and organizations to attract talent.

Regarding employee retention, Frey shared that her company focuses on creating a family-like atmosphere for its workforce. With programs like Rising Star, Cummins Cares, and continuous training, they invest in their employees’ growth and well-being, making them feel valued and appreciated.

The team’s creativity and dedication to employee satisfaction and well-being are crucial to their success, helping them retain and attract talent through a supportive culture.

The impact of ISSA

Frey also admits that ISSA has had a significant impact on CFS and her own personal journey. As a proud ISSA member, she exclaims, “I’ve been drinking the ISSA Kool-Aid for 15 years!” She speaks about attending global conventions, learning from international peers, utilizing ISSA membership and its resources for growth, and applying these insights to her company, consistently striving for excellence.

Emphasizing the importance of networking and collaboration, Frey praises ISSA for providing opportunities to connect with peers, share knowledge, and stay updated on industry news. Embracing innovation, she looks forward to upcoming developments in technology, such as AI, IoT, and data-driven tech, which will undoubtedly revolutionize the facilities management landscape.

As the interview ends, Frey expresses her excitement for the future, aiming to positively impact the industry, the environment, and the lives of her employees and clients.

Jill Frey’s inspiring journey exemplifies the essence of a leader who strives for success in business and cares deeply for the well-being of her employees and the environment. Her dedication to embracing technology, sustainability, and mental health sets an example for the facilities management industry to follow. With Frey’s boundless energy and vision, Cummins Facility Services is destined to continue its upward trajectory and make a meaningful difference in the world of facilities management.

For more on Frey’s story and CFS, tune into this recent Straight Talk! interview.

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