Meet The College Works
EXECUTIVE TEAM
JEFF GUNHUS
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NSG
Jeff attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he studied political science and economics. He is a USA TODAY bestselling novelist and top-ranking Amazon author with fourteen published books. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing and working on his latest novel. He lives in Maryland with his wife and five children.
SPENCER PEPE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NSG
Spencer graduated with a business degree from the University of California at Riverside. In 1998, He was recognized as Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” and was again a finalist for the award in 2001. Spencer is also a former managing partner at Platinum Capital, which was once ranked #10 in the Inc. 500 list of America’s fastest growing companies. He enjoys climbing, whitewater kayaking, fishing and mountain biking.
JASON REID
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NSG
A one-time painter who has worked his way to becoming a corporate partner, Jason has been with the company for the better part of two decades. In addition to College Works Painting, he is also involved with organizations such as TEC and YPO. In his spare time, Jason enjoys running, playing guitar and cooking — and he recently earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
MATTHEW STEWART
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NSG
Matthew attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he studied political science and history. In 2002, he won the Orange County Business Journal’s “Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award,” and has twice been a finalist for the “Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Matt is also a proud former Chairman of the Global Board for the Entrepreneurs Organization.
TRACY MENESES
FINANCE MANAGER, NSG
Tracy attended college at the University of California at Riverside where she earned a B.A. in Human Development. Additionally, Tracy earned an M.B.A. from California State University, Fullerton. She has developed a set of precise financial controls which are crucial to the success of College Works Painting.
NANCY MELONI
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, NSG
After earning her B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, Nancy became a CPA during her tenure working for Arthur Young. Since then, she has held key leadership positions with several noteworthy organizations. A native Californian, she enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, and riding her “trike.”
JOE NORWELL
PRESIDENT
Growing up in Chicago suburbs, Joe attended DePaul University to pursue a double degree in Business Management and Finance. Joe interned in 2017 and worked his way up to General Manager by his senior year. Upon graduating, Joe worked his way from Vice-President of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to eventually taking over as owner of the divisions. Joe now resides in Indianapolis where he continues to mentor up-and-coming college students to prepare them for their careers.
JACK KRATCHA
VICE PRESIDENT, GREAT LAKES
Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Jack began his college career pursuing a Finance degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After interning in 2018, he was awarded four straight national manager of the year awards. Upon graduating with a Finance degree in 2021, he became Vice President of College Works Painting. Jack enjoys playing and watching sports, and he works with interns and district managers across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
SEAN PHELPS
DIVISION MANAGER
Born and raised in Northern Illinois, Sean studied business at Saint Louis University and continued his education with an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance. He interned with College Works in 2004 as a freshmen and worked his way up to become a VP in 2009. Since taking over the Missouri Division in 2009, Sean helped expand the company to Kansas, Nerbaska and Oklahoma. He has also managed College Works divisions in Arizona, Minnesota, Iowa, and Texas. He is most proud of having an impact on the lives of hundred of interns and District Managers he has trained and coached in his career.
Brett Apel
SENIOR DISTRICT MANAGER
Brett attended the University of Kansas where he received a business administration degree. Through the internship with College Works Painting, he ran the largest business as a University of Kansas student. With the promotion to District Manager, he hired, trained, and managed a group of 5 branch managers where we had the highest team revenue average in the nation. As a Senior District manager, he was the top recruiter in the company and went on to break the company record for work produced. Brett was recently promoted to Vice President as the newly started up Ohio division owner. He went from Painter to Vice President in 4 years.