Craig Shults didn’t start in construction finance. He didn’t have a traditional path. No Ivy League MBA. No high-level internship. What he had was grit—and a willingness to keep learning.
“I’ve worked in insurance, home improvement sales, and now construction,” Craig says. “Every step taught me something I still use today.”
Craig is now the Controller and CFO at JSL Construction in Orange County, California. He leads the financial side of a business where timelines are tight, materials are expensive, and trust is everything. But to understand how he got here, you have to go back to where it all began.
Early Life in Upstate New York: Learning to Adapt
Craig grew up in the Mohawk Valley in Upstate New York. It’s not a place known for finance or startups. It’s known for tough winters and hard work.
“We didn’t grow up with much,” Craig says. “But that just meant we had to work harder.”
That mindset shaped his career. When jobs changed or doors closed, he didn’t panic. He pivoted.
Starting in Insurance: Learning to Communicate
One of Craig’s first jobs was in the insurance industry. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave him real-world experience.
“I had to explain complex things to people who didn’t always trust the system,” he says. “That taught me how to listen.”
He learned to speak clearly, solve problems, and build trust—skills that would serve him well in every job that followed.
Sales and Self-Reliance: Working with the End Customer
Next, Craig moved into home improvement sales. It was a new industry, but the core challenges were familiar.
“You’ve got to understand people. Their needs, their concerns, their limits,” Craig explains.
He wasn’t just selling products. He was solving problems in real time. That job taught him to rely on instinct and to adjust quickly when things didn’t go as planned.
Entering Construction: From the Ground Up
Craig eventually found his way into the construction world. It was a big change—and he didn’t have a background in it.
“I didn’t know the industry inside out,” he says. “But I knew how to learn fast.”
He brought his business sense, people skills, and risk awareness into the field. Over time, he earned the trust of crews, clients, and company leaders. Today, as CFO, he oversees planning, budgets, forecasting, and financial decision-making.
“I never saw myself as a ‘finance guy’,” he says. “But every job gave me part of what I needed to lead now.”
Education That Fits the Job
Craig doesn’t have a flashy degree. But he has what he calls “targeted learning.”
He earned an Associate’s degree in General Business and later completed a Paralegal Certificate through Blackstone Career Institute.
“Studying contracts helped me a lot in construction,” Craig says. “It gave me the confidence to spot risk before it becomes a problem.”
His approach is clear: get the education that helps you do the job better. Titles don’t matter if the skills don’t transfer.
Leading with Consistency and Presence
Craig leads with what he calls “presence, not perfection.” He shows up, checks in, and listens before he talks.
“People don’t need you to have all the answers,” he says. “They need to know you’re in it with them.”
In his role, he balances costs, timelines, and team needs. And when things get tough, he stays steady.
“I tell people—just focus on the next right move. That’s how you stay in control.”
Mentoring Others and Giving Back
Craig mentors younger professionals who are unsure about their next steps. “A lot of people think they have to figure it all out right away,” he says. “I tell them, no—you figure it out as you go.”
Outside of work, Craig supports causes like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Giving back keeps him grounded.
“If you’re only focused on profit, you forget why you started working so hard in the first place,” he says.
Life Outside the Office: Fitness, Food, and Focus
When he’s not working, Craig finds peace in two places: the gym and the kitchen.
“Fitness clears my mind,” he says. “And cooking helps me reset.” He doesn’t use recipes. He trusts his instincts—just like at work.
“That’s the fun part,” he laughs. “You try, you taste, you adjust. Same thing in business.”
Key Lessons from Craig Shults’ Career
- Start where you are. Craig didn’t wait for the “perfect job” or “perfect timing.”
- Learn as you go. Education can be simple and still powerful.
- Lead by showing up. Presence builds trust—especially in high-pressure roles.
- Give back. Success means more when it supports something bigger than you.
Read more:
Craig Shults on Growth, Grit, and Leading with Consistency