Brad is a 29-year resident of Brooklyn Park. He and his wife, Sherry have been married for 46 years, and together raised three children, who have now produced 6 grandchildren. Brad is still employed full-time as a business analyst and software developer for a leading manufacturer in the communications industry.
Brad was born and raised in south Minneapolis, graduated from Minnehaha Academy, and after a year at Normandale Community College, transferred to, and graduated from Minnesota State University - Mankato, with a degree in History. Immediately after graduation, Brad and Sherry married and started a family while living in northern Minnesota. Together they served on the staff of a student mission organization, followed by a short stint as a youth pastor on the east coast. They returned home to Minnesota where Brad attended Bethel Seminary with the intention of becoming a pastor. Just shy of graduating, at the age of 40, Brad changed vocations to be a software developer which continues to this day. Brad held numerous jobs over the years, and early on, had two and sometimes 3 jobs at the same time, just to be able to pay rent, buy diapers and milk, and put gas in the car.
Brad acquired many of his values from his parents. They were each born to immigrant parents who grew up during the Great Depression. They understood the value of hard work and discipline, and living within their means. They both graduated from high school, but neither of them attended college, yet they managed to purchase a home, send all four children to a private high school and later to college, purchase land and build a lake cabin, take family vacations, and give generously to their church and other charitable organizations. To accomplish all that, they were willing to sacrifice having many of the modern conveniences that are today considered necessities. Neither home nor car had air conditioning. Lights were turned off when leaving a room, meals frequently consisted of leftovers from previous meals, and food was rarely thrown out. They knew what they wanted and made the necessary sacrifices to get it. Brad and Sherry had the honor of sharing their Brooklyn Park home with them in their later years, becoming their caregivers when it eventually became necessary.
