Left – Chandler Cullor Right – Steve Nicholson
In the Cretcher Heartland culture, everyone is encouraged to take charge and be a leader. So who leads the leaders in the organization?
In December 2010, Cretcher Heartland entered its third generation of ownership. Bucking the growing trend of established local firms being acquired by large, national agencies, the company’s new leadership rose from within…enabling Cretcher Heartland to continue to grow regionally, while maintaining it’s local, Heartland roots for many years to come.
In its third generation, the agency is led by Steve Nicholson as CEO and Chandler Cullor as President.
As CEO, Steve provides the “big picture” vision and strategic direction to position the company at the forefront of the industry. He is a driving innovator, and this entrepreneurial spirit is most evident in developing new strategic partners, pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities, expanding Cretcher Heartland’s product and service offerings and enhancing operational performance. Everyone who knows Steve knows his “anything is possible” leadership style… and he is the driving force behind the positive and energetic CH culture that focuses on collaboration, communication, performance and productivity.
Steve’s nearly two decades of commercial risk management experience began when he joined Cretcher Lynch in 1998 as a Producer (Sales Professional). He progressed upward on a fast track through various leadership roles in the company, becoming a shareholder in 2003 and President of the organization in 2007 at the age of 34. Steve continued in the President’s role when Cretcher Lynch merged with Heartland Employee Benefits in 2008 which would then become Cretcher Heartland. In 2010 Steve became the CEO of Cretcher Heartland as well as one of the company’s primary owners.
Steve is a graduate of Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, where he played baseball and earned a degree in business administration. He’s a well-known “life-long learner”, however, and is actively involved in several organizations of young business leaders who share their knowledge and experience. He is also involved with several national, regional and local organizations on their board of directors. Steve was featured in the Ingram’s magazine 40 under Forty (Class of 2008), a designation which honors the Kansas City region’s most accomplished business and community leaders under forty years of age.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Steve grew up surrounded by both the construction business and the education profession. His parents made absolutely sure he learned the value of hard work, tenacity and continuous learning. Today, Steve still calls Kansas City home, where he resides with his wife and two young sons. His background in competitive sports is now put to great use in coaching youth sports teams, among other activities. Steve loves spending time his family, hanging out with friends, continuously growing the business, and (when he can find the time!) playing golf.
“A positive attitude is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and to those around you.”
As President, Chandler is responsible for all aspects of the agency’s management, including strategic planning, operations and sales functions. Where he really shines, though, is in recruiting, motivating, mentoring and managing a top-flight sales and support staff. Chandler’s upbeat, driving leadership style keeps everyone focused on driving towards higher goals and objectives…which is how he led the agency’s sales staff to break all previous records for new business production in 2010.
It’s said that once you’re in the construction business, you’ll stay in the construction business. This is definitely true about Chandler. His father and grandfather started and operated a limestone quarry and ready mix concrete business in southeast Kansas and Chandler grew up working in the business, continuing through high school (Fort Scott) and for several years after graduating from The University of Kansas. In 1998, Chandler drew on his construction background to concentrate on the risk management field with Cretcher-Lynch and Company. Their large construction practice dealing with contractors’ insurance and surety bonds was a perfect fit then…and now. Chandler’s career path aligns with the agency’s growth; he became a shareholder in 2003 and was named President in 2010. He is proud to be a key figure in Cretcher Heartland’s future and third generation of ownership.
Chandler graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and participated in several intramural sports. He is an active member in community and industry groups including: The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, Kansas Ready Mix Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (former board member), Associated General Contractors – KCA (past M & T President) and Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, where he is involved in several coaching and fundraising activities.
Chandler and his wife Cara met in college and today have three wonderful children: Tyler, Landon and Reese. His family loves the Kansas City lifestyle – getting the best of both worlds by living in a large metropolitan city with a definite hometown feel. Chandler and his family enjoy all types of outdoor activities, sports and travel.
“We do not succeed in a day. Persistence is the key…day-by-day.”