Not many individuals within the industry are immediately identifiable by their first name only. However, when someone utters the name Jennie, there’s little doubt to whom they are referring—GreatAmerica’s own Jennie Fisher. After three-plus decades of serving the office technology dealer community and their clients, she’s certainly attained rock star status.
As is the case with all rockers, however, there’s a final encore. The curtain will close on Fisher’s memorable career at the end of June. That’s the bittersweet part—she’s certainly earned her retirement stripes following a storied tenure and will undoubtedly enjoy family and travel. Fortunately, her second act will definitely keep her within the industry’s sphere of influence. We’ve not seen the last of Fisher, which is a continued benefit for the industry.
With the day-to-day involvement with GreatAmerica drawing to a close, we asked Jennie about her most treasured memories, the impactful moments and, of course, what comes next. This Two-Minute Drill is less a farewell and more of a transition for one of the industry’s most-cherished difference makers.
What made you feel this was the right moment to retire? We have seen some industry leaders—like Bob Goldberg—step into “retirement” while still staying engaged. Do you see yourself continuing to participate in future Executive Connection Summits and other industry gatherings in some capacity?
Fisher: After more than three decades in this industry, the timing felt right to step away from the pace of day-to-day leadership and create space for what comes next. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, but it has also been very full, and there is value in recognizing when to shift your role so others can step forward.
That said, I do not see this as stepping away from the industry. Relationships have been the most meaningful part of my career, and those do not end with a title. I will remain engaged in an advisory capacity with GreatAmerica, focusing on strengthening relationships across the office technology and IT ecosystem and the people in it, and helping connect opportunities where they exist. I am excited about staying curious, staying engaged, and contributing where it makes sense.
The Executive Connection Summit and The Consortium will continue to be a prioritized focus for me. Those environments foster the kind of collaboration and shared learning that helps move our industry forward, and I look forward to contributing in a different way, through mentorship, panels and ongoing dialogue with peers and the next generation of leaders.
When you look back on your career in the industry, which moments, relationships, or milestones stand out as most meaningful—and why do they still resonate with you?
Fisher: The relationships stand out first, without question.
Over time, customers become partners, and many of those partnerships evolve into friendships. That level of trust is not built overnight, and it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of working in this channel. It is also what has made this industry feel smaller in the best way. There is a powerful sense of community here.
A defining moment early in my career was taking a chance on Tony Golobic’s vision and joining him in building a company that prioritized doing the right thing for customers and team members. His willingness to invest in me, challenge me and push me to grow had a lasting impact on how I think about leadership and success. That experience also shaped how I approach mentorship, and I have always tried to pay that forward by supporting others and helping them see what is possible.
There are also personal milestones that stay with you. Becoming a parent changed how I think about time, priorities and impact. More recently, becoming a grandparent has added a new perspective. It creates a deeper appreciation for what matters most and reinforces the importance of investing in people and relationships over time.
In the end, the legacy is not tied to a single accomplishment. It is the collective impact of the relationships you build, the people you support, and the growth you help create for others.
What parts of the day-to-day work will you miss the most—and are there any parts you are happy to leave behind?
Fisher: I will miss the daily collaboration and problem-solving with my GreatAmerica peers and team members. I have always enjoyed being close to the action, whether it was helping troubleshoot customer issues, talking through partner strategy or connecting teams across functions.
I will also miss the energy that comes from working alongside customers to navigate challenges and uncover opportunities. When you have strong relationships and open communication, progress happens in a meaningful way, and that has always been the most fulfilling part of my career.
What I will not miss is the constant pressure on time. For many years, the challenge has been finding enough hours in the day to keep up with everything in front of you. It is a privilege to be in that position, but it is also demanding.
This transition creates space to stay connected to the work I care about and have much passion for, without the pace that comes with full-time operational responsibility.
As you think about this next chapter, what are you most looking forward to?
Fisher: More time with family is at the top of the list.
There have been many seasons where my husband and I relied on strong support systems to balance career and family, and while I would not change that journey, I am looking forward to being more present in this next chapter.
Professionally, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute in a different way. In this advisory role, I will have the chance to focus on connecting people, identifying opportunities across the ecosystem, and elevating ideas through conversations, events and thought leadership. The difference now is that I can help bring opportunities forward and then support others as they carry them through.
I also look forward to continuing to be involved in forums like ECS and The Consortium. Those communities have always been about more than business. They are about learning, sharing, and building the future together.
