When Paul Fendrick took a job washing dishes in the cafeteria at what was then Manatee Community College in 1997, he couldn’t have known it would become the start of a nearly three-decade career. Today, Fendrick serves as SCF’s director of facilities management, overseeing the people and projects that keep the College’s campuses operating and evolving.

Fendrick grew up in North Tonawanda, New York, where he enjoyed watching Buffalo Bills football games and celebrating the holidays with his family. He stays in touch weekly with his father, a military veteran and Rochester, New York resident.

“Keeping that family bond is very important,” said Fendrick. “My dad is my hero. He is one of the most laid-back, chill people.”

After meeting his future wife in New York, the couple moved to Florida near her family in August 1997. He was 25 and focused on finding employment, building a family and gaining financial stability.

“My goal was to start a mortgage and a retirement fund by age 30,” Fendrick said.

Fendrick and his wife married in 1999, had two children and settled in the Bradenton area. His wife’s uncle worked as a mechanic at Manatee Community College (now State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota) and helped him secure a cafeteria job at the college.

After a few months of washing dishes and other cafeteria duties, Fendrick was hired on the grounds crew at SCF in November 1997. Over the years, he was promoted to new roles and responsibilities that eventually led to his leadership position.

“I love working for State College of Florida,” said Fendrick. “This place means everything to me.”

Serving Proudly at SCF

As the director, Fendrick oversees the department’s daily operations. He makes his morning coffee, starts his workday at 7 a.m. at SCF Bradenton and travels across campuses to support the team and projects as needed.

“We are behind-the-scenes doing work that, at the end of the day, benefits students,” Fendrick said.

Summer is typically the team’s busiest season, when fewer students are on campus. Some Summer 2026 projects included remodeling the Disability Resource Center, renovating SCF Collegiate School Bradenton’s courtyard, updating the David S. & Anne V. Howard Studio Theatre’s technology and refurbishing the ball fields and media box at SCF Bradenton. They also upgraded the Center for Innovation & Technology’s auditorium technology, added new computer stations and installed new hammocks and student seating at SCF Lakewood Ranch.

“Summer is our time,” said Fendrick. “It makes a difference when students come back.”

Honoring Excellence at SCF

Fendrick values SCF’s commitment to supporting student success, employee wellness and professional development.

“Some of our team members are younger, and we want to help them build their skills, so we can leave the college in good hands,” said Fendrick.

SCF President Tommy Gregory, J.D. recently helped celebrate the team’s completion of more than 6,070 work orders since Jan. 1, 2026.

Looking back, Fendrick appreciates the many people he has worked with and learned from at the college. He is especially thankful for the life-saving techniques he acquired in a CPR class taught by SCF Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management Chris Wardman.

“On April 13, 2024, my wife went into cardiac arrest,” Fendrick said. I truly believe Chris Wardman’s class prepared me for that scenario. I called 911, and they walked me through it. I performed CPR for 11 minutes.”

Looking forward, Fendrick admires SCF’s strategic plan to help more students graduate faster as well as the development of SCF Parrish.

“I am excited to be part of the college’s fourth campus,” Fendrick said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students.”

Life Outside of SCF

Outside of work, Fendrick loves spending time with his wife, two children and granddaughters, ages one and two.

“My kids live with me and my wife, and when I come home from work, my granddaughters are so happy and smiling,” said Fendrick. “It almost tears me up.”

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