Q
You’re in Canton, Ohio. Does that require you to be a football fan?
A
It’s in our blood. Are you kidding me? Where I sit right now is about a mile and a half from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Like Texas, Ohio is football country. If you don’t like football in Canton, we tend to throw you out of the community.
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Anywhere there’s a beach or a mountain and I’m with my family. We have a 16- and a 13-year-old, two girls. So anywhere I can get these girls alone without distractions of friends and phones and activities and lacrosse, that’s where I want to be.”
Favorite Cleveland Brown: Myles Garrett (“He cares about our community, and I love to see pro athletes that dive right in.”)
Favorite Actor: Matthew McConaughey (“I think he’s just got a cool style to him.”)
Favorite Musician: “I’m a rap guy. That’s kind of weird. It’s probably a curveball to my personality. I also like Lord Huron. I like Morgan Wallen. But ’90s rap, that’s kind of what I grew up on.”
Favorite Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Favorite Canton Restaurant: Bender’s Tavern (“These guys have been around almost as long as us. It’s a fish house. They get it right from Boston. It’s spectacular.”)
Favorite Dish At Bender’s: Yellowfin tuna
Q
It’s in our blood. Are you kidding me? Where I sit right now is about a mile and a half from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Like Texas, Ohio is football country. If you don’t like football in Canton, we tend to throw you out of the community.
A
I love it here. It’s a great place to raise a family. It’s big enough that there’s plenty to do, small enough that you can make an impact. Our firm has been around for 106 years, and a lot of that was because of the way the community received us. So we owe a lot back.
Q
The Schauer Group’s top leaders are very involved in civic organizations and local nonprofits. Where did that come from?
A
It’s in our company’s DNA. My great-grandfather was heavily involved in the community with the United Way and bank boards and economic development organizations. My father and uncle were very much involved in the Boy Scouts and local hospital board of directors. We just grew up wanting to make an impact.
Q
Tell me about your experience as an advisory board member for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A
It’s so cool. Especially now, as I’m getting a little older, the guys who are being enshrined are people who were my childhood heroes. It’s pretty amazing to see how they think about their career and reminisce and to get behind-the-scenes access to this national brand.
Q
You’re a big supporter of the arts. Where did that interest come from?
A
My aunt owns an art gallery in Maryland. My grandfather, at 97 years old, still paints quite often. So I just naively thought art was very much like art class—you know, this is what you do. Then I got into the professional world and started to see the impact economically the arts can have on the vibrancy of a community.
Q
Before you became president and CEO in 2021, you worked with your dad and your uncle very closely for 17 years.
A
I think the way they approached it was really smart. They allowed me to work with some others so I didn’t have to report directly to Dad. Don’t get me wrong—I had plenty of access to him, but I got a chance to study under our top advisor, Tim Bentivegna. Tim showed me the ropes in a way that maybe my father couldn’t, in terms of just blunt assessment of where I was at what time. And he was, and still is, strong enough to knock me down a little bit.
Q
Is there a business leader in any industry who you most admire?
A
Jamie Dimon. I read everything he puts out. I watch everything he does. I love his steady hand. I love his articulation of values and purpose and commitment. I love his competitiveness. He’s a great leader in so many ways.
Q
If you could change one thing about the insurance industry, what would it be?
A
The number of calls I get to buy my business.
Q
It’s got to be tough to say no to all those folks. Are you committed to being an independent firm?
A
We are. We’re playing long, and we think there’s a place for us. We’re focused on providing superior client experience, culture, and community support and strengthening our company today and into the future.
Q
What gives you your leader’s edge?
A
I’m authentic. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Some people could say that’s a weakness. We’re driven, we’re really hungry and competitive. You add that with some empathy and good, strong, core values and our culture. I’d say that’s by far our edge.
