VP Jim Simmonds Retires: 47 Years with FBG
Jim Simmonds was a sophomore at Benson High School in 1968, working part-time at Omaha’s famous Italian eatery, Mr. C’s. That same year, Jim’s older brother and FBG’s founder, Wayne Simmonds, became the sole owner of Floor Brite and asked Jim to join the team.
To make the job more fun, Jim invited his good friend Randy Zornes (former Colorado District Director) to work alongside him. Jim and Randy agreed, that working together was more enjoyable than the job itself, but they never told Wayne that!
Jim remembers Wayne saying, “You only need to work half
days, just let me know which 12 hours it will be!”
After high school Jim took a pause from Floor Brite and joined the Navy, working in the Nuclear Power program. His experience proved valuable when he returned to Floor Brite in 1975, as an Account Supervisor at Omaha Public Power District’s nuclear power plant.
Floor Brite — now FBG Facility Services — kept Jim busy in numerous roles, which included building our Special Services, High-Rise Window Cleaning, and Concrete Coating Divisions. All ventures filled a niche, which allowed FBG to deliver specialized services including disaster response and the occasional crime scene clean-up.
Jim’s career took him from a nightly cleaning position to managing the largest District Office in the company. He then became Vice President of FBG in 1988.
Reacting to his 47th anniversary earlier this year, he said,
“I am very proud to have been with this great company all these years and I appreciate that Wayne saw the value of making FBG a company of employee owners! Now, as I enter retirement, I find myself even more grateful for that vision.”
Reflecting on this change of leadership in the company, President Andy Petersen, said, “On behalf of everyone at FBG, thank you for your many years of service. The knowledge and friendship you’ve shared over the years has been invaluable and we appreciate the many contributions you’ve made to help support and grow the company. You will be missed!”
FBG CEO Terri Gogetap added, “It’s incredible to think about the impact you have had on our company over the last 47 years. Know that you are woven into the fabric of who we are and your presence will forever be felt at FBG. Enjoy this next exciting chapter in life, it will be the best!”