Meet Jess Grove: The Go-To Person with a Heart for Helping
“I like being the go-to person,” Jess says. “If I can’t figure it out, I’ll find the answer. I don’t like sitting at a desk—I’m a mover and a shaker.”
When someone at Bell has a question, there’s a good chance the answer starts with Jess Grove.
Whether she’s meeting with a new employee, solving a technology challenge, or helping a coworker, Jess has built a reputation as someone people can count on.
“I like being the go-to person,” she says. “If I can’t figure it out, I’ll find the answer. I don’t like sitting at a desk—I’m a mover and a shaker.”
That willingness to help has made Jess an integral part of Bell for nearly a decade.
As Bell’s Human Resources Employment Specialist, she has the opportunity to meet each employee at the start of their journey. She guides them through the onboarding process, answers questions, and helps ensure new hires feel welcomed from day one.
For Jess, hiring is about much more than filling a position.
“I like making sure we have good people—people who have heart and compassion,” she says. “You want people who truly care about our clients and the individuals we support because they mean everything. To me, that’s the most important thing.”
But her impact reaches far beyond Human Resources.
When Bell needed to evaluate new IT providers, Jess stepped outside her traditional role. She researched six different companies, met with them, compared services, and helped identify the best options to support everything from phones and printers to servers.
“I research the options and narrow them down to the best fit,” Jess explains. “Then Anita makes the final decision.”
She’s also helping Bell prepare for the future by organizing technology systems, planning equipment replacement schedules, and supporting Bell’s transition toward a more paperless organization.
Jess credits Director of Finance Anita Sumner for encouraging her to grow beyond her job description.
“Anita had confidence in me and allowed me to learn and take on more IT responsibilities. I’m thankful she believed in me.”
That trust has helped Jess develop skills she never expected to have—from learning about server infrastructure to helping plan technology improvements that benefit employees across the organization.
It’s a role she never imagined when she first came to Bell in 2016, simply looking for a job.
“I just wanted to work,” she recalls.
From the moment she interviewed, Bell felt different.
“I saw everyone walking around in T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. It felt comfortable. That’s what I liked.”
What started as a job soon became a career she truly loves.
Over the years, Bell has become much more than a workplace for Jess.
“Being part of Bell is being part of a family. I never dread coming to work. It’s always fun. They see you for who you are, everyone jumps in to help, and everyone cares.”
With gratitude, she adds, “Tony (Executive Director) always makes you feel like you are part of something bigger.”
She believes Bell’s willingness to invest in its employees has made all the difference.
“Management believed in me and has allowed me to grow here,” Jess explains.
Although much of Jess’s work happens behind the scenes, she never loses sight of the people Bell serves.
“Our clients know who I am. Every time I visit one of Bell’s homes, they wave.”
Those moments remind Jess that every new employee she welcomes, every technology improvement she helps implement, and every problem she solves ultimately supports the people at the heart of Bell’s mission.
“I think Bell is a great company. We’re passionate and committed to empowering everybody’s life. You see that in both our clients and our employees.”
When asked what “Good People” means, Jess doesn’t hesitate.
“Quality, determination, longevity, and heart.”
Those aren’t just the qualities Jess admires—they’re the qualities she strives to bring to her work every day.
Through her commitment to helping others, solving problems, and finding people with heart and compassion, Jess helps create a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.