Cullum Drywall - Celebrating 15 Years

Celebrating 15 Years of Cullum Drywall Systems

written by Rennay Craats | published by Courtney Lovgren photos by Riverwood Photography

In 2008, the global financial collapse brought with it crashing oil prices and a recession; it was arguably the toughest time to start a new business. Despite these challenges, Dion Cullum set up shop on Vancouver Island and set out to find drywall services work in B.C. and Alberta. With little work in B.C., Cullum focused on growing the business in Alberta over the next two years,

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working and living in his cousin’s basement in Calgary as he built the company from the ground up. Cullum Drywall Systems was awarded its first contract for a CIBC bank project in Grande Prairie, and this paved the way for more clients to take a chance on the company, including Corey Crawford, a client who later joined the team as vice president of Cullum Group.

“We got our first contract in the downtown core from Corey and though it was quite small, that led to multiple other jobs that got bigger and bigger as we went along,” says Dion Cullum, owner of Cullum Group of Companies.

He and his staff of three developed a reputation for doing great work with an unwavering commitment to every project and delivering on their promises. Jobs got bigger, the team grew to 150 dedicated professionals and the basement was ultimately replaced by its current location in the industrial southeast. Purchasing and building out this location helped change the internal perception of the company, and for the eight years since moving in the company has enjoyed significant growth

culminating in Cullum Drywall Systems doubling its volume in the last year alone.

Despite the growth and success of a company that went from earning $300,000 during that first year to easily doing over $2.5 million a month today, Cullum continues to run the business with the determination, passion and service focus that he brought out of the basement.

“Nothing has changed, in my mind, since the day I started,” he says. “I don’t feel that what we’ve done or created is complete. I think we still have a long way to go.”

“Nothinghaschanged,inmy mind,sincethedayIstarted,” saysCullum.“Idon’tfeelthat what we’ve done or created is complete.Ithinkwestillhave alongwaytogo.”

Rob Larkin and Brendan Chuckmala

That continual journey has created a company that provides top quality craftsmanship on the full scope of drywall projects ranging from multilevel residential towers to millions of square feet in commercial and industrial space. While many other companies specialize in one area of the business, Cullum Drywall Systems has vast experience in all of them, completing a variety of commercial, industrial, institutional, large residential and mixed-use projects. No matter the project, the knowledgeable team offers soup to nuts services, from preliminary budgets to project completion, to produce cost-effective solutions that meet all building codes and design standards. Cullum Drywall Systems excels in exterior structural metal framing, interior partitions,

ceilings and bulkheads as well as a wide array of exterior envelope solutions. Along with that, the team offers high quality finishing work as well as the technical sophistication to complete T-bar suspension systems, acoustic baffles, sound shapes, wood slats and acoustic wall panels. There is little that the experienced team at Cullum can’t manage.

“I’m fortunate to work with a really great team of people who share the same values. Without them I wouldn’t be able to continue to pursue new opportunities for the organization. They are the key ingredient to the stock that comprises the Cullum Group of Companies,” Cullum says.

“I’m fortunate to work with a reallygreatteam ofpeoplewho share the same values. Without them I wouldn’t be able to continue to pursue new opportunitiesfor theorganization,” saysCullum.

Evan Paterson

Carrie Gouin Dion Cullum

Danielle Cullum

Corey Crawford

THE GROUP AT A GLANCE

The CFO, Carrie Gouin, worked for one of the company’s client before joining the team in 2013 and she has spent that last decade at Dion Cullum’s side. Her commitment and dedication has helped get the Cullum Group where it is today.

Corey Crawford was also a client before becoming vice president of the Cullum Group in 2016. He is one of the hardest working, committed people in the building and his dedication to the company and staff has made him a great leader.

Evan Paterson was going to quit his job as one of the company’s interior systems mechanics, but Cullum suggested a change to estimating at Cullum Drywall Systems instead. In 10 years he earned his way to become vice president of Cullum Drywall Systems and is a valuable resource in the industry.

Rob Larkin came to Cullum Drywall Systems and Cullum Prefabrication at the perfect time. He brought his no-quit attitude and professionalism to the position of senior project manager and has become an important part of the team.

Dion’s wife, Danielle Cullum, joined the Group in 2015 and continues to be the force behind Seven Construction as its president. She has built a boutique company offering some of the best service in the industry while caring for their children, Luke and Piper.

The Young Players To Watch in Bull Pen Brenden Chuckmala joined the team in 2019 at 19 years old and has worn many hats at the company: truck driver, estimator, project manager, accountant and IT. He is an example of what someone can do with drive and ambition, and he plays a key role in several multi-milliondollar projects within the group of companies.

Colton Crawford joined the company in 2021 and filled several role before taking the lead in the demolition company while also acting as the project management lead on two large commercial drywall projects with contracts in excess of $5 million.

Mitch Tiefengraber started as a general labourer in 2021 and worked his way through multiple roles and is now the go-to guy in the office, all the while becoming a great project coordinator.