Passionate.

When asked about the most important aspect of his life, Brad will say, without hesitation, his family. “I treasure every opportunity to spend as much time as I can with my children and grandsons - but it is a constant reminder that time goes by far too quickly,” says Brad.

Initially destined to become a chartered accountant, Brad was introduced to technology by a mentor he met while participating in the Junior Achievement (JA) company program during his high-school years in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario. 

Instead of crunching numbers, Brad found his interest in programming, systems analysis and technology innovation was far more appealing.  His part-time computer operations job provided by his mentor blossomed into a career around the development and deployment of technology-driven solutions.

 The initial seven years of his career was spent as a programmer and systems analyst in municipal government and private industry. It gave Brad the courage to strike out on his own with the creation of a small consulting and systems integration enterprise. His goal was to help small business introduce computerization to their organizations. 

Following various experiences with a number of technology-centric businesses that Brad created, bought and sold, he was introduced to a small manufacturer that provided product protection products and service plans for home furnishing retailers. Recognizing a unique opportunity to evolve the business, he focused on delivering exceptional customer service and quickly grew the business 10X. Brad and his family acquired the enterprise in 2011. 

With the help of his team, Brad transformed the business from being the smallest player in a highly fragmented industry to become Canada’s largest provider of repair and replacement programs operating coast-to-coast in partnership with leading home furnishing and appliance retailers.

Serving as its President and CEO, Brad is extremely fortunate to have his 3 adult children as part of a strong management team that is driving the business as it enters the next phase of phenomenal growth – stimulated yet again, by the integration of sophisticated technology focused on meeting the needs of market partners and homeowners.

Adventurous.

From his youthful days earning pocket money while managing multiple newspaper delivery routes simultaneously; to working as a weekend salesperson selling horticultural products at a local garden centre, Brad became a student of professional selling and learned to appreciate the importance of listening to the customer.

Brad also credits his Junior Achievement experience for igniting his entrepreneurial passion and developing his desire to create, buy and build businesses using technology as a key component. 

With the commercialization of the Internet in the mid-90’s, Brad was there – leading the “New Media” division of Canada’s national newspaper with the introduction of several web-based initiatives that still exist today.

Resilient.

Like most entrepreneurs, not all of Brad’s business adventures have been successful.  The tragic events of 9/11 resulted in the painful (and costly) loss of an emerging global business.

On the cusp of introducing a worldwide program that issued digital certificates to verify the credentials of high-performance organizations, the economic impact of 9/11 resulted in the business having to cease operations when its market evaporated. 

Undaunted, Brad used this experience as an opportunity to recover. In early 2002, Brad was introduced to what has become ZucoraHome and he’s never looked back.