The Jennings File
NAME: Lisa Jennings
TITLE: President and CEO
COMPANY: PMC SMART Solutions LLC
Birthplace: Cincinnati
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration and elementary education at DePauw University in Indiana; master’s degree in business administration in finance at Washington University in St. Louis.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it? Lifeguard and swim team coach at a local pool during the summer. It was a fantastic experience because I was trained on how to motivate kids and families while having fun. A lot of organizing and strategy went into my coaching. At that age, it was a lot to take on but I had a really great experience and one I’ll remember for a long time.
What is the best business advice you ever received? Surround yourself with the best, capable people of the highest integrity. A company’s success is not built on one person or even two, but a group of people. It’s the people that make everything else happen.
Who’s somebody that you’ve always looked up to in business? My father. He’s been supportive of me through everything in life. He’s an extremely successful business person, both at PMC SMART Solutions LLC and other business ventures, as well as in the community. I just feel that I have had an amazing mentor along the way with no pressure to come into the business. He has taught me lots about life and the balance of life between personal and work and how to be successful all the way around.
