Member-Manager, Bradley, Thomas & Matthew Close CPAs, PLLC
By Kevin Duvall
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Brad Close cites Philippians 2:3-4 as his motivation to be a servant leader in his community. He has had great success as member-manager at Bradley, Thomas & Matthew Close CPAs, PLLC, the firm he operates with his father and brother, and as the former Morgan County Commission president, it is clear he feels a responsibility to use his talents for the benefit of others.
“The characteristics that have contributed to my success are a competitive attitude, the ability to talk to people, a passion for righteousness, being objective and being a servant leader,” he says. “Servant leader is the most important because I believe it is important to have humility in your life. Humble people have an innate ability to never forget that this world is not about them but about those who helped them get where they are and those they will help get where they want to be.”
Close regards his father, Tom, as his greatest mentor. He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a CPA and joined his father’s practice as a staff accountant in 2003 after graduating from West Liberty University. Close credits his father and his brother, Matt, with helping him understand what it takes to not only be an accountant but also run a business.
“Looking back on those first few years with the company, I am glad my dad put me at the bottom, so to speak,” he says. “This forced me to learn the organization from the bottom up and the challenges the company faces at all levels. This experience provided the foundation that now allows me to fully comprehend the issues facing our employees, clients and the company as a whole.”
As the firm has expanded, Close has identified an opportunity to use the business’ success to help local economies grow.
“I want to grow to be able to provide more job opportunities within our company so more people can work on our team and provide for their families right here in West Virginia and now in Hagerstown, MD,” he says.
Growing up in Berkeley Springs, WV, Close was raised by parents who made community service a priority. He vividly remembers watching his parents and grandparents help out in their small town. As an adult, he has forged his own path of service, and today he is active with a number of local organizations.
Close serves as chairman of the board of trustees for War Memorial and Hampshire Memorial hospitals, is a member of the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority and sits on the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College board of governors. He is a proud member of the Berkeley Springs Lions Club; attends Hedgesville Church, where he leads a small group; and is a prospective member of the Rotary Club of Martinsburg. Earlier this year, he was recognized as the Morgan County Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America Shenandoah Area Council’s Potomac District for the impact he’s had on his community.
He credits his wife with being a driving force in his success, and he aspires to be an example to his children much like his family was to him.
“Without the support of my wife, Jessica, I would not be where I am today,” he says. “My hope is that my children, Taryn, Logan and Juliana, see in me the importance of serving others and become strong servant leaders in their own right.”
Close feels deeply invested in serving his home state as an extension of serving his family and community.
“West Virginia has always been home to me, and I want to be able to provide an opportunity for others to stay and work right here at home,” he says. “I believe we must change the conversation here in West Virginia to one of opportunity, and the best way I can do that is to stay here, raise my family here, help businesses grow here and be involved in the community.”
