Ozarks Profile

Owner of Sam Bradley Homes, 4766 E. Latoka, Springfield. Sam Bradley Homes is a residential building and remodeling company whose vision is "building a better way." Bradley has spent many years in the building trade and has a team of professional trade contractors working with him. The company's mission is to capture "the thoughts in the minds and hearts of homeowners." Bradley was selected as Builder of the Year for 1998 and is the current president of the Greater Springfield Home Builders Association, serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Home Builders, is a member of the education and business management committee for the NAHB, is a lifetime member of the Stephen Fuller Builder Club, is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, is a Missouri real estate broker, a member of South Gate Baptist Church and is serving his third year as a discussion leader for Bible study fellowship.

Age: 45.

No. of years in Springfield/area: Lifelong resident.

Education: Graduated from Glendale High School in 1971. Attended Southwest Missouri State University and Drury College. In 1998, he became the first builder in Missouri to attain the professional designation of graduate master builder. He also earned the designation of certified graduate remodeler.

Early career: Bradley is a second generation builder and has always been around home construction. "I started going with my father to his jobs when I was a young boy. Through the years, I learned the art of home building by hands-on training," Bradley said. In 1976, he started building homes on his own. In the late 1970s, and early 1980s, interest rates rose to more than 20 percent, and the home building industry suffered a great slowdown, Bradley said. During those years, he worked as a commercial construction superintendent and later, as a construction manager for a resort development company. In 1984, he returned to home building and his own company. "Since 1988, Sam Bradley Homes has primarily built custom homes in various subdivisions and suburban sites throughout the Springfield area," Bradley said.

Current projects: He is now involved in two unique residential projects. One is for magician Kirby VanBurch. The VanBurch residence will be featured as part of an upcoming NBC television special, called "Magical Homes." The second project is the construction of a Stephen Fuller-designed showcase home in Copper Mill Subdivision. Fuller is an internationally known residential designer in Atlanta, Ga.

Management philosophy: "I believe that you cannot lead someone beyond where you have been yourself. Therefore, as a manager and leader, I must work and live by higher standards than those who follow me. These standards include honesty, competence, vision and inspiration."

Spare-time pursuits: Enjoys auto racing, especially sprint car racing. He is a co-sponsor for local racer Dave Stanley. Bradley also enjoys reading and collecting various kinds of artwork.

Family data: Married for 12 years to Greta Bradley, a registered nurse working for the Springfield Public School System at Jarrett Middle School. They have a miniature schnauzer, their "dog-daughter," Sissy.

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