I was born in 1959 in Toledo, Ohio, where both my parents were raised on farms. I’ve got 70 first cousins and the farms ran their course after my mom and dad, and their siblings, 15 in total, all chose different career paths.

We moved to Cleveland, Ohio when I was six months old and then to Williamsville, New York when I was in the fourth grade.

Cindy and I met in high school and we married our junior year of college in 1980.

As for our business, I met Tony Ragusa in 1982, and furthered our relationship in the early 90’s while I was debating embarking on my own. 

For me personally, I blinked and AP Professionals approaches our 30 year anniversary. Our company and partnerships ongoing international success all started in Western New York in 1993 with AP Professionals. At that time, we were fortunate enough to build an enduring partnership with the Advantage Co. Our original business model was simple: we built an array of partnerships throughout the US with an eclectic mix of branded individually staffing and technology companies offering backend support and shared services.

Our remarkable array of iconic enterprises manifested through our core root  Philosophy.  I feel like we’re still getting started with the launch of our newest partnership Walker Sports Audit. https://www.walkersportsaudit.com/

Our AP founders in Buffalo and Rochester that propelled our growth.

 

 

My parents

As for my parents, my dad Norm Charles Kreuz was the consummate salesman.  He was old-school and he was the best of a dying breed.  My dad had the charm to go along with the facts.  He knew his customers and they knew him.  It’s a lesson I learned well.  After his death, I reflected on his life and his impact on me, and the guideline for our business is still about “Relationships that last a lifetime.”

My mom, a nurse, raised six of us, and returned to nursing once Butch made his way to high school, and then took care of my dad.  She was 32 in high school and #1 in her nursing school class. She’s enjoyed a renewed look on life in Williamsville and Florida recharging her batteries.

And my kids

And the Grandkids.  The little man is getting schooled.