Community Q & A with John Brodak
John Brodak, 79, is a name well recognized in Greene County. Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, he spent most of his life in Carmichaels, save for a few years in nearby Washington, Pa.
With only a ninth grade education, he’s managed to build a successful business career that many entrepreneurs only dream of. To earn a living, he’s worked as a grocer, a machinist, a certified electrician, a disc jockey, a publisher and more. Businesses he started or purchased include a hobby shop, a Dari-Delite, a video store, a grocery store, a printing company, a beer distributor, a mobile home village and Brodak’s Manufacturing and Distributing, a business that makes model airplane kits out of balsa wood, which are distributed all over the world.
A model airplane enthusiast, he’s organized the annual Fly-In for control line airplanes at his home in Carmichaels for the past 22 years. He’s served his country in the National Guard and was discharged in 1963 with the rank of sergeant. A 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, he’s a member of the Lions Club International and was named “Man of the Year” by the club in 1991.
For 16 years, he was president of the Carmichaels Area Chamber of Commerce and for three years was president of the King Coal Association. He helped start the Frederickown Chamber of Commerce and became its first president and was instrumental in helping District 5 reopen Clyde Mine. A lifetime member of the National Aeronautics Association, Brodak was selected to the Universal Who’s Who of Business Executives in 1995. He’s even served as an extra in the BBC film “Two Weeks in Winter.”
Below he discusses some aspects of his career and life with Messenger reporter, Dave Zuchowski.
Q: With only a ninth grade education, how do you account for such a stellar career?
A: Because of my dyslexia, which was never addressed in school, I left my education while in the ninth grade. I attribute my successful career to determination, hard work and an ability to overcome obstacles.
Q: What were some of the most difficult obstacles you encountered along your career path?
A: The November of 1984 flood that destroyed the Millsboro Shop n’ Save with 17 feet of water.
Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishments and why?
A: Reopening the store in 40 days without help from flood insurance, which I didn’t have.
Q: How did you get into the model airplane hobby?
A: As a youngster, I saw people flying model airplanes and wanted to try it myself. In 1952, I bought a rubber band model plane and became so enthused I was purchasing and building two and three planes a week. In 1954, I bought my first real airplane kit and motor – a Sterling P-51 with a Fox .35 engine. I’ve been flying model planes ever since.
Q: Is there anything you’d do differently if you could do it all over again?
A: Absolutely not. The good things were a blessing. The bad things I took as a lesson.
Q: Do any of your four children have your business acumen and do you think they’ll continue to build the businesses you’ve developed?
A: All my four children have become very successful in their chosen fields of medicine, education and law. They all have experience and the ability to keep the businesses going.
Q: Any future plans for new endeavors?
A: At the moment, I have no plans to start up an additional venture.
Q: In view of your recent diagnosis of cancer, how are you doing health-wise?
A: A voice change in 2013 sent me to the doctor who diagnosed a tumor around my voice box. After 29 radiation treatments, I beat the disease. Two years later, I came down with prostate cancer, which a radiation implant seems to have cured.
Fighting cancer is a process, and early detection and follow-up check-ups are important. With this in mind, I’ve managed to beat cancer twice.