Why Compass Group for Sim Williams? The sky is the limit.

Why Compass Group?: “Compass Group has given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I tell people—whatever you put in, they’ll give you more. I couldn’t ask for a better company. The sky is the limit.”

For Sim Williams, it all started spinning vinyl in high school. Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, he had the unique opportunity to work as a DJ for the local radio station. His first gig had him playing gospel music on Sunday mornings. With the help of his grandmother, he played the most popular and trending songs, before being promoted to Saturday nights when he could showcase the breadth of his musical interest. From his early days in the DJ booth to his military service and following corporate career, Williams has allowed his communication skills to serve as the bedrock of his success.

Communication is critical to his role at SSC Services for Education. As Regional Director of Operations, Williams supports accounts in Kentucky, South Carolina and North Carolina. He works with school administrators to ensure facilities are clean, safe and optimized for student learning. It’s a job that he takes personally.

“My wife is a retired educator, so I know the importance of teachers. They are at the school all day. It’s important for the facilities to be clean and safe. I take pride in taking care of those who are educating the next generation.”

His journey to SSC is anything but a straight line. Following college, Williams followed in his father’s footsteps to the Air Force, where he served a tour as part of a communication squadron. After his discharge, Williams spent the next 20 years in various roles with AT&T, most often working as a supervisor and trainer for operation services. His ability to communicate again served as a catalyst for advancement, providing a long career at AT&T.

“Communication has been the key to success in my career. Communication isn’t about speaking well. It’s about listening. Just because I’m the boss doesn’t mean I have all the answers. It’s about coming together as a team and listening to each other.”

After retiring from AT&T, Williams quickly realized that he was too young to sit idle. He found a position with SSC that allowed him to support schools and teachers. Over the course of the last decade, Williams has moved to progressively larger roles at the company. At each step, he has emphasized mentorship and career growth for his teams.

“I enjoy seeing other people grow and helping them on that journey. There’s always something new to learn.”

The Compass family has provided Williams with many opportunities to grow a second career. His experience and journey serve as inspiration for many of the younger associates, demonstrating the scope and value the right individual can bring to an organization.

Nowadays, Williams doesn’t have much time to spin records on the Carolina airwaves, but he does make sure his wife and grandkids are immersed in some of the tunes from his DJ’ing days. As he sees it, it’s important to make sure the next generation has all the advantages in and out of the classroom, including an appreciation for classic R&B.