Jennifer Tower
Jennifer Mares is a Builder & Commercial Sales Manager at Select Surfaces Chicago, based in Franklin Park, Illinois, with a career spanning more than 20 years in the countertop and surfacing industry. She began her professional journey as a part-time project coordinator at Home Depot Expo, where she supported design and project teams. A chance opportunity in 2005 led her into the fabrication world as an estimator, and she quickly advanced into sales roles, becoming the first salesperson for a growing fabricator as the company expanded into stone surfacing.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has built a strong reputation for developing long-term client relationships and driving business growth across multiple companies. She has worked in estimation, sales, and builder account management roles, consistently bringing in new business and managing projects from bid through installation. Her ability to cultivate trust has followed her across employers, with many clients continuing to work with her throughout her career transitions. She later served as a Builder Sales Manager for a large international supplier before joining Select Surfaces.
For the past six years at Select Surfaces, Jennifer has focused exclusively on commercial work, where she has been instrumental in growing the company’s commercial division from zero to nearly $2 million in annual revenue. She manages all aspects of her projects, including sales generation, bidding, coordination with CAD teams and fabrication shops, and overseeing installation logistics with subcontracted crews. Now working remotely from Texas, she continues to serve clients nationwide, known for her problem-solving mindset, Type A drive, and commitment to delivering high-quality results through strong communication and customer service.
• Ball State University - B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to providing excellent customer service, building strong relationships as a people-oriented professional, and applying strong problem-solving skills in my work. My Type A work ethic also plays a key role in helping me stay consistent, organized, and focused on maintaining long-term client relationships.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to approach their work with ownership and initiative, as if they are already part of the leadership team. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, as curiosity is one of the fastest ways to learn and grow. Most importantly, build confidence through knowledge and experience, because confidence develops over time and becomes a key driver of long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The main challenges in my field are managing tight deadlines, coordinating subcontracted installers, and handling ongoing disruptions from COVID-related changes.
Key opportunities include growing commercial accounts—such as increasing Select Surfaces’ commercial volume to nearly $2 million—and building strong, long-term client relationships.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are strong customer service, effective problem-solving, maintaining a positive attitude, professionalism, and building lasting relationships.
Locations
Select Surfaces Chicago
Spring Town, TX 76082