RANSON, WV – June 21, 2026 – Friends Interpreting Services, LLC (FIS), a Deaf and Woman-Owned Small Business headquartered in West Virginia, proudly celebrates 15 years of providing professional interpreting and communication access services to government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, businesses, and communities.

What began as a dream to improve communication access has grown into a nationally recognized Deaf and Woman-Owned business serving clients across the United States. Before founding Friends Interpreting Services in 2011, Alice Ann Friends gained valuable experience working for Sign Language Associates (SLA), an opportunity that helped shape her professional path and future vision for communication access services. Friends credits SLA and its founder, Janet Bailey, with providing one of the most rewarding professional experiences of her career.

“One of the best jobs I had before starting my business was at Sign Language Associates,” said Friends. “I truly loved working at SLA and was fortunate to work alongside so many wonderful people. The experience, support, and professional growth I gained there helped lay the foundation for what would eventually become Friends Interpreting Services. I will always be grateful to Janet Bailey and the entire SLA team for the opportunity and the lasting impact they had on my journey.

Founded in 2011 by Alice Ann “Alli” Friends, M.A., Friends Interpreting Services was established with a simple but powerful mission: to break down communication barriers and ensure equitable access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing individuals. Over the past 15 years, FIS has grown from a small business with a vision into a trusted provider of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, Communication Access Realtime
Translation (CART), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), and accessibility solutions. Today, the company serves clients throughout West Virginia and across the United States while continuing to advocate for communication access, inclusion, and equal opportunity.

A pivotal moment in the company’s journey occurred in the summer of 2016 when Friends attended an SBA webinar that would ultimately change the trajectory of her business.Through that webinar, she connected with Karl Kosiorek of Deaf Access Solutions, who became both a valued business partner and mentor. Together, they successfully pursued and won a contract, creating opportunities that helped propel FIS into the federal marketplace.

“Attending that SBA webinar was one of the most important investments of time I ever made,” said Alice Ann Friends, Founder, CEO, and Owner of Friends Interpreting Services, LLC. “If I had not participated, I may never have met Karl, and many of the opportunities that followed may never have happened. I am incredibly grateful to the U.S. Small Business Administration for providing educational programs, training, and networking opportunities that help small businesses grow and succeed.”

Reflecting on the company’s 15-year journey, Friends credits her success to faith, mentorship, perseverance, family, and the support of countless people along the way.

“Fifteen years represents far more than a business milestone. It represents fifteen years of service, resilience, advocacy, relationships, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring communication is accessible to everyone.

First and foremost, I give all glory and thanks to Almighty God, who made this journey possible. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him, all things are possible. Through every challenge, opportunity, lesson, and success, my faith has carried me forward and given me the strength, courage, and perseverance to keep moving forward.

I am deeply grateful to my mentor, Karl Kosiorek, my business partner and mentor whose wisdom, vision, and guidance helped me see opportunities I may never have seen on my own. Karl possesses an exceptional business mind, remarkable strategic insight, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. It has been a privilege to learn from his expertise, and I continue to work every day to grow as a business leader. His encouragement, patience, knowledge, and unwavering support have played a tremendous role in helping both me and Friends Interpreting Services, LLC reach this milestone.

Another source of pride throughout this journey has been my family. As a mother of four children, including two sets of twins, I balanced the responsibilities of raising a family while building and leading a business. There were many days spent juggling parenthood, client needs, business development, and community commitments all at once. While the journey was not always easy, it taught me resilience, determination, time management, and the importance of never giving up on a dream. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together as a family and as a business.

I would also like to extend a very special thank you to the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services. DRS was my very first client and played a pivotal role in launching Friends Interpreting Services, LLC. Their trust, confidence, and willingness to give me an opportunity helped turn a dream into a reality. As a new business owner, having an organization believe in me and my abilities made all the difference. That first opportunity provided the foundation upon which I was able to build and grow FIS over the last fifteen years. I will always be grateful to DRS for believing in me, supporting my vision, and helping me begin this incredible journey.

I am equally grateful to the U.S. Small Business Administration for the educational programs, training, and networking opportunities that helped shape the future of my company. One SBA webinar led me to meet Karl, which ultimately resulted in new  partnerships, contract opportunities, and growth that changed the trajectory of my business.

Most importantly, I want to thank our clients, Certified ASL Interpreters, CART Writers, employees, partners, family members, friends, and community supporters. This milestone belongs to every person who has been part of the FIS family and mission. Your trust, dedication, and support have made these fifteen years possible. I am truly humbled, honored, and excited to celebrate 15 years in business, and I look forward to continuing to serve our communities, expand access, and create opportunities for many years to come.” This milestone comes at a critical time for communication access in West Virginia, where the shortage of qualified sign language interpreters continues to create challenges for organizations and individuals seeking accessible services. Throughout its history, FIS has worked to bridge those gaps by connecting clients with qualified professionals and promoting high-quality interpreting services.”

Significant Accomplishments

• Fifteen years of continuous service and growth.
• Certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) since 2015.
• Awarded a GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract in 2016.
• Secured a major federal contract within two months of receiving its GSA Schedule award.
• Established a Mentor-Protégé Partnership in 2016.
• Awarded the largest contract in company history through the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.
• Named the 2018 American Small Business Champion for the State of West Virginia.
• Recipient of the 2021 WOSB Award of the Year.
• Successfully graduated from the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program in 2025 after ten years, including a one-year COVID-related extension.
• Continued advocacy for accessibility, inclusion, and interpreter workforce development.

As Friends Interpreting Services celebrates this milestone, the company remains focused on the future: expanding access, strengthening partnerships, supporting interpreters, and continuing to serve as a trusted resource for communication accessibility solutions.

“While we are proud of what we have accomplished over the last fifteen years, we are even more excited about what lies ahead,” Friends added. “The need for accessible communication continues to grow, and we remain committed to helping communities connect, understand, and thrive.”

For more information about Friends Interpreting Services, LLC, visit www.friendsinterpretingservices.com or contact:

Alice Ann Friends, M.A.
Founder, CEO & Owner
Friends Interpreting Services, LLC

Email: fis@friendsinterpretingservices.com

Website: www.friendsinterpretingservices.com

About Friends Interpreting Services, LLC

Friends Interpreting Services, LLC is a Deaf and Woman-Owned Small Business specializing in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, CART services, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), and communication access solutions. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in West Virginia, FIS is dedicated to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and effective communication for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing individuals across educational, healthcare, government, business, and community settings.

.