Daviess County CEO Wraps Up Year with Final Visit to J&R Tool
On Monday, May 12, the Daviess County CEO Cohort made their final business visit of the year—venturing just outside county lines to Loogootee for a tour of J&R Tool, where they were hosted by Jeff Furman, Vice President of Operations.
One of the first things students noticed was the lack of signage on the building—a purposeful decision, Jeff explained. Since J&R Tool primarily serves Crane and its subcontractors, discretion and confidentiality are key components of their operations. This quiet professionalism speaks volumes about the trust placed in J&R by its clients.
During the visit, Jeff shared valuable insights on leadership and teamwork. He emphasized that successful projects are the result of collaboration, not command-and-control management. “Surround yourself with smart people,” he advised, pointing to the competitive landscape near Crane, where many machine shops compete for high-level work. Cultivating talent and encouraging innovation, he stressed, are vital to staying ahead.
Founded in 1994 by Rick Bell and now owned by Adam Crouse for the past twelve years, J&R Tool has thrived by remaining adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.
Jeff also shared thoughtful advice tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs. He encouraged students to “know a little about everything” and emphasized the value of networking and lifelong learning. Drawing a parallel to the business world, he reminded them: “Always have quality checks in your life. Be different—and when you say you’ll finish something, follow through.”
A big thank you to Jeff Furman and J&R Tool for hosting an insightful and inspiring final visit of the year!