How Addison's McCann constructed the American dream

Jim McCann has memories of going to work with his father on Saturdays and assisting with power washing equipment and sweeping floors. McCann is now president of the company that his father started from his Glen Ellyn garage 50 years ago.

Richard McCann founded the original McCann Construction Specialties Company with a $1,500 loan from his father-in-law. Within a year he expanded to Villa Park and continued to grow the business. “My mom typed the invoices. It's the American success story,” said Jim McCann, who has been at the company for 26 years and took over the business and became president shortly after his father died in 2013. Jim learned a great deal from his father and says something he often heard while growing up is, “the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

It has taken a lot of hard work to grow the company, now based in Addison, to seven locations and 100 employees. The company's name changed to McCann Industries as it grew and expanded its focus as a wholesale distributor of construction supplies and construction equipment. The company operates multiple full-service specialty materials and equipment stores.

Jim, who was not sure about going into the family business while growing up, graduated from Albion College in Michigan and later earned an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. “I followed the opportunity,” said Jim, who started with the company in outside sales where he stayed for seven years before moving his way up through various positions. “Nothing was handed to me,” McCann said.

He adds that by far the most significant evolutionary step for the company occurred in 1995. That was the year his father dramatically expanded his equipment offerings. It happened when Case Construction executives sold three of their heavy construction equipment stores and McCann bought them to complement the light equipment they already offered.

Richard turned to industry veteran and respected colleague, Dennis Kruepke, to run the new part of the business. Five years later, he merged the two companies together and the single company took on the name it carries today, McCann Industries Inc. and Kruepke served as president of the combined company.

Helping to steer the company through the Great Recession, Kruepke and the elder McCann formulated a succession plan. Kruepke would run the company with the premise that he would gain some ownership in the company and someday, if Jim became totally interested, Kruepke would turn it over to him.

The succession plan worked perfectly. In early 2015, Jim completed his self-imposed apprenticeship, purchasing Kruepke's remaining shares of the company and became president and CEO.

Jim, who resides in Wheaton, sees opportunity to grow the business geographically and with products and services. Part of the plan is growing regionally, adding to the three Case Construction Equipment dealerships in Bolingbrook, McHenry and Schererville, Indiana and four McCann locations in Addison, Crestwood, Wauconda and Chicago.

Jim says he is proud of the company's reputation and brand. He added that it's the talented employees that set McCann apart from competitors. “Exceeding our customer's expectations,” is a motto, he said.

He said attracting top talent is a mounting difficulty. “It's not a real sexy industry,” McCann says, adding that he is always looking for that person who stands out to join the company.

Expanding out east

EN Engineering, an energy engineering firm in Warrenville, has expanded and opened a new office near Philadelphia.

In an effort to better serve existing and future clients, the office is located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. It is found near existing gas utilities, pipelines and electric distribution clients that the firm currently serves.

In addition, the rapidly growing area offers a prime location for market expansion, said Vice President Keith Johnson, who manages the office.

“Our new location will enable us to deliver prompt, accessible service to our clients in the area and also expand our client base.” The firm has 16 other locations around the country and engineers licensed to practice in all 50 states.

Executive moves

STC Capital Bank, a growing community bank in St. Charles, has made several managerial promotions within the bank and their holding company, STC Bancshares Inc.

Executive appointments include naming Anthony V. Sisto to chairman and CEO of STC Bancshares Inc. and Christopher D. Woelffer to CEO of STC Capital Bank in addition to his role as president.

“Mr. Woelffer has been a key part of our success, and we are thrilled to promote him to this important position for the outstanding role he has played in making STC Capital Bank one of the top performing banks in Illinois,” Sisto said.

Other promotions included Thomas B. Spoden to COO of STC Capital Bank in addition to his role as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

James H. Weitl to executive vice president and corporate secretary for STC Bancshares Inc. and STC Capital Bank and Gary Dudzik to senior vice president commercial lending at STC Capital Bank.

Founded in 2006, STC Capital Bank has grown to more than $260 million in assets and has extended over $500,000,000 in loans to the communities they serve.