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Distinguished Alumni Award
When Stu Bradley, B.S. '66, retired as a U.S. Air Force colonel to become a stockbroker for Edward Jones, he didn't find much difference between the two professions.
"The challenge is to gain people's trust," Bradley said.
A native of Ann Arbor, Bradley began his colorful career as a Central Michigan University business major, forging valuable relationships with friends and faculty and learning the leadership skills he would use for the rest of his life.
"I learned how to run a meeting and the practical application of management skills," Bradley said. "I'm proud of my CMU education, and I've always been a good spokesman for them. Everybody who knows me knows where I went to college."
After graduating Bradley joined the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer and went on to serve tours in Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, and Germany. At one point he obtained his M.B.A. while stationed in Southern Illinois.
"I liked being in the military, and I liked being out of the military," Bradley said. "It wasn't all roses, but there was a lot of teamwork. I learned about organization and saw all races and sexes working together effectively to get the mission done."
After 26 years, he retired from the Air Force, and while searching for a new career he turned to his old college buddies.
"It was amazing to see how successful they all were in business," Bradley said. "It had to have something to do with CMU, I would think."
Bradley has been with Edward Jones for 11 years. He lives with his wife in Marquette, Michigan, where he has been active with the Marquette Community Foundation, the city commission, the Management Committee of Lake Superior Community Partnership, and a number of volunteer groups. He also served as the mayor of Marquette for one term.
Recently, CBA awarded Bradley its Distinguished Alumni Award.
"Anytime you're honored by an organization you have a great deal of respect for, it's significant," Bradley said.
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