Enterprise Fleet Management Senior Account Executive Seth F. began his career with Enterprise right out of college as a Management Trainee 27 years ago. His career path is marked by numerous accolades—thanks to hard work and a steady commitment to personal growth.
This summer, the Frankel family has a new accomplishment to celebrate: Seth’s 21-year-old son Jonah is following in his dad’s footsteps as a Management Trainee Intern. Keep reading to find out what Seth has learned during his career and what advice he’s passing on to his son.
When Seth started in 1993 in South Florida, all business proposals were faxed. A few business practices have evolved since then. Seth has grown, too, expanding his skillset by learning from colleagues at every level.
“When you think you know it all – that’s where you start going backwards,” says Seth. “I can learn from an Account Executive who’s coming on board, whether they can teach me a different way of thinking or looking at the business through a different lens. Being open to new ideas is how I continue to grow.”
Through these learning opportunities and with support from key figures early in his career, Seth worked his way up the ranks. Just a year after joining Enterprise, Seth transitioned to Fleet Management and served as an Account Executive, then Area Sales Manager, and finally Regional Sales Manager before taking on his current role with the Fleet Management team in Philadelphia.
For more than two decades, Seth’s focus on building relationships and trust with clients has allowed him to become a successful consultant. But when he reflects on his Enterprise journey, it is not a particular award or sale that sticks out. He’s most proud of his longevity with the company.
“From day one I knew Enterprise was the company for me. It was clear the culture was built on customer service, teamwork, and having fun and I knew I wanted to be part of that! Our company provides its employees unlimited potential to grow and you are always rewarded for it. The best part of it all is the amazing relationships I have established over the years with so many employees and clients,” says Seth.
“Like most of our Fleet Management employees, Seth started in Enterprise’s Management Training program, allowing him to develop business acumen, sales, and other skills,” says Kim Sinclair, Enterprise Fleet Management’s Vice President of Human Resources. “He was also given the opportunity to pursue numerous career paths, one of which is a career in Fleet Management.”
Coaching the next generation
Seth is admired by his peers across the country for his willingness to take less tenured Account Executives under his wing. To him, mentorship isn’t one size fits all. Anyone can share advice with a new employee. What’s more important is that a mentor takes time to get to know their mentee.
“You have to be a really good listener,” he says. “You need to learn a lot about them inside and outside work. Find out what makes them tick and help them reach success based on the things that motivate them.”
Seth passed on some of the early advice he received to his son Jonah, a rising senior and starting pitcher at Washington College in Maryland. “Be a sponge,” Seth told him. “Work hard and learn as much as possible.”
That perspective stuck with Jonah when he began hunting for summer internships. As he considered his options, it quickly became clear that Enterprise’s collaborative team environment would be ideal for him. Jonah joined the Philadelphia team as a Management Trainee Intern in May, and he instantly fell in love with the company.
“I enjoy the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, team environment and seeing how everyone is invested in each other to be successful,” says Jonah. “I can see why my dad has been with Enterprise for so long, and I’ve learned so much from him over the years. He is one of the hardest working people I know, and I hope to follow in his footsteps one day.”
Seeing Jonah find his footing at Enterprise is one of Seth’s proudest moments as a dad.
“My wife and I are just as proud of Jonah’s work this summer as I am of anything I’ve accomplished in my own career.”
