Brad credits his workplace, M&T Bank, and his friend, Randi Buergenthal, for his initial involvement with The Associated. 

“It was around 2008. I knew I wanted to do something, and M&T Bank is very encouraging of community involvement. I thought about where I wanted to get involved and I thought of The Associated. Growing up, I knew about the brand—I saw it everywhere, but I didn’t really know everything it did. I started asking questions and Randi Buergenthal told me how their work spans the entire community and that it’s a great place to build relationships.” 

The boy he’ll never forget 

Years ago, Brad was one of a few young adults who traveled on a Campaign Director and Chairman’s Mission. Prior to visiting Israel, they stopped in Thessaloniki, Greece, where close to 90% of the Jews were killed during the Holocaust. While at the train station, they were handed a star—his read, Sol Krispi, 1938-1944. 

“At the time, I had a two-year-old at home and my wife was pregnant. When I saw this young boy’s name—he was only seven—and knew he was killed in the Holocaust, I couldn’t speak. It still hits me today. I think about the work The Associated does to protect, secure and strengthen our community so this doesn’t happen again.” 

He’s grateful to work for a company that cares about supporting the community. 

“Robert Wilmers was our longtime CEO and passed away several years ago. Bob used to say, ‘A community banker has got to be involved in the community’ and ‘If the community does well, the bank does well.’ It’s an essential part of M&T’s corporate culture and we encourage our employees to get involved. We also support organizations that strengthen the communities they are in, like The Associated.” 

He met his wife on a blind date. 

“A friend of mine grew up with Melissa and wanted to set us up. Both of us were coming off terrible blind dates and vowed never to go on another one.” 

Despite that, they decided to meet for a drink at Bonefish, ultimately closing the place down. They married a short time later. 

Meeting Paul McCartney 

“Paul McCartney announced that he was going to do a signing at a record store in New York, and I drove up with a friend. I camped out on the street for 24 hours to get a chance to talk to him. When I got to him, I said, ‘I play seven instruments—and it’s all because of you. I just want to thank you for being so formative in my life.’ He said, ‘Seven? What do you play? So, I rattled them off, and he asked what my favorite was. We ended up talking for a minute or two—and the entire time, he was fully present.” 

Final words 

“I’ve gained so much from being part of The Associated. Not only am I supporting a good cause, but I’ve also built friendships and benefited from both personal and professional growth. The time I spent at The Associated—especially in my YLC (Young Leadership Council) days, when I was presented to the Associated Board and answered their questions—helped me tremendously in my professional career.”