Policyholder Spotlight: CraftCroswell

POLICYHOLDER JASON MCNEEL BELIEVES A PASSIONATE, EXPERT, AND SAFE WORKPLACE IS WHAT SETS HIS COMPANY APART

Most commuters in standstill traffic find it to be a very unpleasant experience, but Jason McNeel saw it as an opportunity. In 1987, the state of Mississippi passed the highway bill, which essentially made most of the large highways in the state four lanes. When McNeel was growing up in the ’90s, there was construction everywhere he went. 

Every day, as he watched the workers, he thought it “looked fun” and thought “I could do that.” Today, McNeel has degrees in construction management, banking and finance and is the president of the largest flooring contracting company in Mississippi, CraftCroswell. This 44-year-old company currently services a six-state radius. 

“I worked for several large contractors in the state before I got the opportunity to purchase the company,” McNeel said. “I admired the company’s strong brand presence and that they were a specialty contractor.” McNeel acquired CraftCroswell in 2015 from Bill and Bob Croswell, who are still employed as project managers. “Partnering with Bill and Bob’s wisdom in the industry and strong leadership was an easy decision,” McNeel said.

“The main thing I would say about CraftCroswell is that they are a very well-run organization,” — David McKinnon, senior vice president at Bottrell Insurance Agency.

McNeel believes what sets the company apart from competitors is his energy and passion for the industry and the clients. “We strive to keep our focus on consistent customer service and competitive pricing,” McNeel said. “Staying educated about flooring trends and potential economic sectors for growth is important to maintain our reputation as an industry expert. Our clients value our product knowledge, integrity, long-standing presence in the market, efficiency, quality of work, and service.”

When asked what some of his most memorable projects were, McNeel was excited to talk about the recent updates to the showroom. “Materials in our industry change in trend every 12 to 24 months. Adding new products and vendors to the collection displayed in our showroom showed an increased depth in our product offerings and has also educated our team on new technology in the flooring world. This project has improved both the commercial and residential libraries we provide for our customers.”

Not only does McNeel care about the clients, but the employees are always a priority. “We believe that everybody should go home in the manner that they came. We also believe that all accidents are preventable and that by managing safety, we manage cost. We have an aggressive safety program because we understand it affects us not only on workers’ comp insurance, but general liability, vehicles, and all the above.”

“The main thing I would say about CraftCroswell is that they are a very well-run organization,” said David McKinnon, senior vice president at Bottrell Insurance Agency. “Jason is heavily involved in all aspects of the company, which really sets him apart — he is an excellent leader. He truly has a good handle on the business and the well-being of the employees. In fact, their e-mod, which reflects how they handle their workers’ comp, is extremely low. They have had zero claims.”

Being rigorous about the safety of the employees and providing quality service for their clients earned McNeel recognition as a 2016 Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Under 40 recipient, an award that honors individuals that have made significant achievements in the Mississippi business industry. “This recognition encourages me to continue making a difference in the work I do,” McNeel said. “It’s a constant reminder to lead with character and integrity.”