• Posted: May 6, 2022
• hard rock concrete cutters

Growing up in and around her family’s company, the new president of Chicago concrete cutting company, Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Corrie Dvoratchek Krula didn’t always plan to lead the company. In fact, at one point, she vowed she never would return to work at Hard Rock.

“When I was 17, I told my dad, ‘I will never work for Hard Rock again’,’’ said Krula. “It was something a foolish teenager says who doesn’t yet understand who they are nor the value, joy and fulfillment of a family business. I’ve had to eat those words.”

The company currently employs 72 people and its primary offerings include concrete sawing, grinding, coring and scanning. They’ve worked on high-profile projects like Wrigley Field, the Willis Tower, the Tribune Tower and more.

Corporate experience fuels construction leadership

After finishing her degree in exercise science and psychology, Krula worked at Motorola Solutions in health promotion in their corporate wellness department. After five years there, she returned to Hard Rock, taking over her mom’s role in accounts payable. After being back at the company for about a year, Krula asked her dad about his succession plan. 

“I wanted Hard Rock to be secure into the future and asked my dad if he would consider training me to be the next leader. He was thankful one of his children initiated and that I had already gotten consensus among my siblings for it to be me,” said Krula.

From that point in 2016, Krula and her father partnered to ensure she was prepared to lead the company. In March 2022, Krula officially began her role as company president. Now, for the first time, Hard Rock Concrete Cutting is an entirely woman-owned business. Krula leads alongside her sister Lisa Dvoratchek Crilly, vice president, and her mother Jeanine is the company’s treasurer.

Hard Rock’s unofficial ambassador of corporate culture 

For Krula, her mother remains an inspiration both personally and professionally.

“My mom taught me to work hard at whatever I do, to be a servant leader and to maintain a hopeful attitude. My mom’s role has changed many times over the years, and she has always worked hard to fill whatever need was present in the company.”

Krula also cites her mother’s influence as integral in shaping the company culture at Hard Rock. Especially its responsibility to take care of their employees through the belief that employees should be rewarded for their hard work and that their safety and health should be prioritized.

Krula followed in her mother’s footsteps in more ways than one. When she married her husband, Jordan, they agreed that they didn’t want kids. That changed.

“Watching an old family video of my mom with all four of us kids, reminded me how beautiful that family is, even during the early energy-sapping years,” said Krula. “We now have two daughters. We couldn’t be more thankful.”

Krula hopes her girls become women that are hardworking, grateful, respectful and gracious to everyone. Though they’re too young to know if they’ll follow in their mother’s footsteps, her oldest daughter already expresses admiration for her mother and a desire to learn more.

“We aren’t quite at working age in the third generation, but my first daughter already says she’d like to work with me like I’ve gotten to work with my parents. I’m so happy she can say that!”

An eye on the future of Hard Rock Concrete Cutters

With more than 35 years of experience and the systems in place to address complicated situations in real-time, Hard Rock Concrete Cutters has steadily grown into one of the most trusted names in Midwest construction. With new and vibrant leadership, they’re not done yet. 

“My goal would be to refine what we do best, keeping safety first, serving our customers with excellence, and trying to be the best place to work it’s always helpful to get a new set of eyes on things, even though we’ve done things well so far.”

Keeping true to the company’s commitment to hard work, safety and construction excellence, there’s no doubt the future will be even brighter than expected.