2 minute read
All Decked Out
ALL DECKED OUT
Trained as a carpenter, Hickory Dickory Deck President, Brad Arnold ’01 continues to stay connected to Mohawk.
By Mary Teresa Bitti
Many young people don’t know where a career in the trades can lead. Brad Arnold ’01, a graduate of the carpentry program and president of Hamilton, Ontario-based Hickory Dickory Decks, Canada’s largest deck company, certainly didn’t. It’s something he’s working to change.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Brad says he never even entered the tech wing of his high school. “We didn’t have people visiting the school to explain the possibilities of a career in the trades.” He spent two years studying engineering at McMaster University, “but it wasn’t for me.” While working in sales at a car dealership, Brad met Tom Jacques, the owner of Hickory Dickory Decks.
Brad joined the company in March 1997 as it was positioning for growth. Hickory Dickory Decks sponsored his education at Mohawk College and his apprenticeship. “That program allowed me to become a Red Seal certified carpenter.” He is also a licensed designer and over the past 20 years has grown his career from sales, to building and designing decks, to training other carpenters, to vice president and, for the past two years, president. Today, he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, sales, managing a team of roughly 40 people, supporting approximately 30 franchisees and recruiting.
Brad has stayed connected to Mohawk in several ways. (Two of his four children are also alumni.) He recruits students from its carpentry, architectural technology and civil engineering programs and has participated in the college’s ongoing Industry Nights since their inception. Hickory Dickory Decks currently employs 15 Mohawk graduates at its head office and seven within its franchise network. “Recruiting is a difficult part of any business,” says Brad. “Mohawk has a fantastic program. Its graduates are well educated, prepared and have a great attitude.”
Mohawk Architectural Technology student Murray Thiessen recently completed a co-op term with Hickory Now’s the time! • Specialize your skills • Change careers • Enhance your education • Develop a personal interest • Stay on top of emerging trends Dickory Decks. “One day I want to have my own residential design business,” says Murray. “I’ve learned so much here that will help me in the future.”
Brad also returns to Mohawk and visits other Ontario colleges and high schools to share his story and provide insights about what a career in the trades can look like.
“When I told my friends I was joining a deck company, they said things like, ’what are you going to do? Make picnic tables the rest of your life?’ I’m proof there are so many paths that can come from being a carpenter,” says Brad, including becoming president of a thriving company with more than 60 locations and plans to grow across Canada and the U.S.
Editor’s note: During this uncertain time, in addition to added safety equipment, Brad and his team have modified their sales process to include more virtual tools to provide designs and quotes for customers.
Although sales are behind last year they have still been able to continue to operate as an essential service. As they head into the summer months co-op students and seasonal employees will be able to start working again too.
