Brad began his career in the engineering and construction industry after earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1975. He spent more than 20 years in this industry and served as Vice President of Business Development for an international general contractor.
In 1998, Brad’s professional trajectory shifted. Recognizing the challenges of low-income families in their community, Brad left his corporate position to help underserved families achieve a higher quality of life. He started Wheels for Success, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting individuals and families with reliable transportation.
One year later, he and his wife Kathy joined forces in co-founding Connections to Success (CtS), a Missouri based nonprofit empowering individuals transitioning from the life-scarring experiences of generational poverty, incarceration and domestic violence to economic stability. Under Brad and Kathy’s leadership, CtS has grown into a regional nonprofit with multiple locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas.
During his time at CtS, Brad was responsible for the management and oversight of over $18 million in federal and state grants focused on successful strategies for returning citizens in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. These projects involved extensive collaborations with government agencies (federal, state and municipal), universities and colleges, vocational training providers, courts, law enforcement, employers, and other nonprofit service providers. These projects resulted in a collective recidivism rate of less than 10% for those served.
Brad also had primary responsibility for the copyrighting and licensing of CtS’ evidence-based training curriculum for use by other nonprofits around the country. The curriculum, together with ongoing training and coaching, has benefitted other nonprofits in seven states.
In January 2021, after 23 years at CtS, Brad and Kathy chose to step down as COO and CEO and begin a new adventure. KBL Impact Partners LLC was created to serve other nonprofits in developing strategic partnerships and collaborations necessary to grow, enhance organizational outcomes, and improve long-term sustainability.