JP Cullen is a fifth-generation, 127-year-old company with a rich family history. We’ve had the chance to meet the crew, but we thought it’s time we meet the Cullens. What better way than to grab a cup of coffee and catch up?
Our first feature is George Cullen, who recently was a recipient of the In Business Annual 40 Under 40 Award. George started with JP Cullen in 2015 after spending time working for a large company in California. Since then, he’s spent time at JP Cullen as a Project Manager and was promoted to Vice President this past year.
Meet George Cullen, Vice President at JP Cullen.
Tell us about your very first job and what the experience taught you.
My first job was a summer job with JP Cullen in our Process Improvement department. I had the responsibility of filming the crews while they performed their work on-site, whether it was pouring concrete, laying masonry, or setting steel. I was then able to provide recommendations to make them more efficient, leading to their jobs becoming easier. It taught me a lot about the nuts and bolts of construction and what really goes into making a building come together. Not only that, but it taught me what an efficient operation looks like, which I still use today when visiting job sites in my current role.
What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received, from whom, and how has it impacted your career?
It may sound cliché, but the best advice I’ve ever received came from both my grandpa and my father, who have greatly impacted not only JP Cullen, but myself as well. They taught me that the most important person in the construction industry is the person swinging the hammer. This means that it’s all of our jobs, whether it be in the office or management, to ensure that our field crews have what they need to be successful. It can be easy to get caught up in the complicated side of things in the office, but if we are successful at supporting our talented people in the field, we will be successful as a company. This advice has impacted my career in knowing where to keep my focus when evaluating our business and reminding me to always display servant leadership.
Do you have any hobbies?
My hobbies include traveling with my wife and children, golfing, and following sports closely. One of my favorite trips was vacationing to London, Sweden, and Spain. Although I enjoy golfing, it isn’t my strongest sport. I enjoy following it as well as the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Do you have a hidden talent that others may not know about?
My hidden talent is my ability to retain the names of actors and movie lines. Often with friends, I’ll say a line from a movie, and they’ll be shocked by the number of movies I’ve mastered.
What 3 famous people would you invite to attend your fantasy dinner party?
Walter Payton, Bill Simmons and Winston Churchill.
What’s the best part about being a part of the Cullen family?
The pride in being part of the history and legacy of the company.
To learn more about our JP Cullen crew, check out our recent blog posts.
