Leadership
Matthew Stewart
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
Matthew is the co-founder and executive officer of National Services Group, the parent company of College Works. As CEO of College Works, he directs the strategic vision of the company. He is a passionate ambassador for the mission of the company, regularly appearing in local and national news as an expert in student professional development, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven business. A seasoned entrepreneur, he served as Chairman of the Global Board for the Entrepreneurs Organization, received the Orange County Business Journal’s “Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award” in 2002 and has twice been a finalist for Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year.” Matthew studied political science and history at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Sean Phelps
President
As president, Sean oversees all company day-to-day operations, including recruitment, training, marketing, sales, and customer experience. He began his journey with College Works in 2004 as a freshman intern at Saint Louis University. Sean quickly rose to the position of vice president in 2009 and has since expanded the company’s reach across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma. He takes great pride in having mentored hundreds of interns and district managers throughout his career, generating more than $40 million in revenue and putting more than $12 million into students’ pockets. In 2016 Sean completed his MBA in entrepreneurship and finance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Joe Norwell
Vice President
Joe attended DePaul University, earning degrees in business management and finance. After interning for College Works in 2017, he advanced to General Manager by his senior year. Upon graduation, he became Vice President of multiple regions and currently oversees our business in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Based in Indianapolis, Joe is passionate about mentoring college students as they prepare for their lives and careers after graduation.
Jack Kratcha
Vice President
Jack earned his degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After interning for College Works in 2018, he won four consecutive National Manager of the Year awards. Upon graduating in 2021, he was promoted to vice president. Jack works closely with interns and district managers across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa to ensure the success of the Northwoods region.
Brett Apel
Vice President
Brett earned a business administration degree from the University of Kansas. As a College Works intern, he ran the largest student business at KU and later became a top recruiter and record-breaking producer as a senior district manager. Brett now leads the Ohio division, having risen from painter to Vice President in just four years.
Kory Finley
Vice President
Kory leads district and branch managers across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. A Kansas State University graduate in professional strategic selling, he began as a record-breaking intern in 2020, earned three consecutive National Manager of the Year awards, and advanced to Co-Vice President before his current role.
Tyler McCullough
Vice President
Tyler oversees teams across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, driving growth and leadership development throughout the region. A Grand Valley State University graduate in logistics, materials, and supply chain management, he joined College Works as a sophomore in 2022 and became Michigan’s first-ever $1 million District Manager his senior year.
Jeff Gunhus
Executive Officer, National Services Group
Jeff is the co-founder and executive officer of National Services Group, the parent company of College Works. He earned his degree in political science and economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a USA TODAY bestselling novelist with more than 14 titles to his name. When he’s not writing, Jeff enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with his wife and five children in Maryland.
Spencer Pepe
Executive Officer, National Services Group
Spencer holds a business degree from the University of California, Riverside. A recognized entrepreneur, he was named Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1998 and was a finalist again in 2001. As a former managing partner at Platinum Capital, he helped the company secure a top 10 ranking on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies. Outside of work, he enjoys climbing, whitewater kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking.
Jason Reid
Executive Officer, National Services Group
Jason began his career as a College Works painter two decades ago and worked his way up through corporate leadership to become a partner in National Services Group. He is an active member of organizations such as The Executive Committee (TEC) and Young Presidents Organization (YPO), using his many years of leadership and entrepreneurship experience to lift up other business executives. In his free time, he enjoys running, playing guitar, cooking, and achieved his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.