Brian McCullough | Branch Manager
Brian McCullough has spent the last two decades in industrial distribution—namely, in different sales and operations roles including Director of Sales. That experience has given him a broad perspective on what makes a business, and its people, successful. But if you ask him what he actually does at J2 Resources, he won’t lead with a title. Instead, he’ll tell you he’s a connector: someone who takes apart a broken process the same way he’d take apart an old engine—figuring out where it stopped working, connecting the right people and pieces, and putting it back together better.
A Career Built Across Industries
Brian’s path to J2 began in 2005, on the waterworks side of Ferguson. From there, his career took him through a range of industries that don’t typically appear on the same résumé—architectural wrought iron and steel, PVF, nickel and round bar distribution, and decorative glass fabrication. That variety gave him a broad perspective on sales, operations, distribution, and the customers those businesses serve. By the time a leadership opportunity at J2 had crossed his path, he already knew the company by both reputation and personal connection—his father had also spent time in and around the industry.
When Brian saw a LinkedIn post about a new leadership role at J2’s Houston location, he didn’t wait around. “I immediately applied and reached out to Joe Dugan,” he says. “The rest, as they say, is history.”
What sealed it wasn’t just the role—it was about being part of something great, joining a team that wanted to succeed, and knowing that he could use his experience to help them continue to scale the business. “J2 has a great team of talented people who genuinely care about what they do and about the success of the company,” Brian says. “I was attracted to the opportunity to help build something: improving processes, developing our team, and finding better ways to serve our customers.”
Removing Obstacles to Success
As Branch Manager, Brian leads J2’s Houston branch while also supporting and overseeing the company’s other branches. In many ways, his role touches nearly every part of the business. “A little bit of everything,” is how he describes it.
Brian isn’t afraid to take action. He believes in putting strategies and ideas into motion, learning from what works—and what doesn’t—and using those lessons to continually improve the business. Whether it’s developing new processes, improving efficiency, supporting the sales team, or helping teams work together more effectively, Brian helps J2 stay focused on what matters most and continue moving forward as a company.
Ownership in Practices
Ask Brian which of J2’s values resonates with him most, and the answer comes without hesitation: ownership. Not just in the sense of taking responsibility for your own work, but in a broader sense—looking past your own lane to ask what would make the whole team better.
“I believe you have to take ownership of your work, your decisions, and your results,” he says. “But I also think ownership means looking past your responsibilities and asking, ‘What can I do to make the entire team better and things run smoother?’ When everyone takes ownership and genuinely cares about the outcome, that’s when you build a really great organization.”
That mindset shows up in the initiatives Brian has helped roll out—not just within J2, but across OneHIPCO more broadly. New processes, reporting tools, High Five appreciations, and training programs are just a few examples. But he’s quick to point out that the reward isn’t the recognition.
“The most gratifying part is seeing something I’ve helped create or develop make a real difference for our employees and the business.”
It’s also why he describes J2’s culture the way he does: entrepreneurial, but not chaotic. “We’re big enough to have the resources and capabilities to accomplish some pretty impressive things, but we’re still small enough that people can make an impact and see the results of their work,” he says. “If you see an opportunity to improve something, you’re encouraged to speak up, take ownership, and help make it happen.”
A Peek Outside the Office
Outside of work, Brian tries to be outdoors as much as possible—in the mountains, fishing, driving his Bronco, riding motorcycles all make the list. He’s also a self-described tinkerer with woodworking projects and anything mechanical. “I’m one of those people who has a hard time leaving things alone. I like taking things apart just to understand how they work.”
His curiosity doesn’t stay outside the office—and J2 is better for it. It’s the same instinct that drives how Brian approaches his role: always asking why something is done a certain way, and whether there’s a better way to do it.