Every year, The Wholesaler magazine searches for someone who has left a mark on the PHCP industry. Our focus is on those who lead, mentor and drive change. The people we spotlight have done more than just their jobs — they’ve shaken things up, redirected discussions, and expanded our view of what’s possible personally and professionally. Through both hard times and good, they demonstrate that integrity is nonnegotiable. Their influence proves that individual efforts can make a real difference. 

We applaud our Person of the Year for his bravery, persistence, guidance, leadership, mentorship, and charm that puts everyone at ease. This year, we proudly recognize Jim McGoldrick, senior vice president of sales at Bradford White Corporation, as our Person of the Year.

McGoldrick is a personable man, usually with a smile and arms reached out for a hug or hardy handshake for his friends and new acquaintances. He has deep roots in the plumbing and heating industry, nurtured by his family’s business in Philadelphia, where his father and grandfather served the local community. 

“Some of my greatest childhood memories are of going to work with my father and grandfather,” McGoldrick recalls. He developed a passion for the business and the industry from an early age. His father, a master plumber and a role model, demonstrated the value of hard work and the importance of looking after both family and customers, who were also regarded with the same familial care. 

Upon graduating community college, McGoldrick was encouraged to work in the family business; however, “there are many challenges and complexities that go with a multi-generational business, and I wanted to create my own identity,” McGoldrick explains. He wanted to carve his path and, full of ambition, he wanted to see what career opportunities might lay ahead.

As fate would have it, his late father knew the late Bob Carnevale (“Mr. C”), who established the Bradford White Corporation that we know today. The senior McGoldrick and Bob Carnevale were childhood acquaintances that happened to end up in the same industry. McGoldrick’s father asked Bob Carnevale if he would speak with “Jimmy” for a “practice interview” and to see what possible opportunities might present themselves. McGoldrick recalls the meeting like it was yesterday. Bob Carnevale spent the first part of the meeting catching up on McGoldrick’s family and relaying stories about his admiration and affection for his grandfather, who helped the Carnevale family after the passing of Bob Carnevale’s father. At the time of the first “practice interview,” McGoldrick knew he wanted to work within a company that supported the business he grew up in - family businesses taking care of family businesses.  

 “Mr. C asked me what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be, and I told him I thought I was best suited in sales,” McGoldrick recalls. “He asked about my concerns, and I told him my concern was the fact that I didn’t have a four-year degree.”

He smiles and recalls Carnevale’s response: “I’m your degree! I can go out and hire someone out of Penn or Princeton tomorrow, but those guys can’t talk to our core customer — the contractor — the way you can. Your experience working within your family’s plumbing business is invaluable to us!” While the actual statement was a tad more colorful, Bob’s passion for the industry and the company he represented was infectious — and cultivating the correct team was vital, as it still is today.

Unfortunately, there weren’t any openings at Bradford White at the time of the interview, and McGoldrick continued to work for his family company, albeit temporarily.

In 1997, McGoldrick received a call from Ted Sikorski, vice president of sales at Bradford White, to come in for a formal interview. It would be a call that changed the course of one’s life.

Bradford White: A Family Company

McGoldrick was hired and started on March 17, 1997.  His first day was on St. Patrick’s Day - “Not bad for a young Irish guy in a heavily dominated, Italian-American corporate office,” he says. “It was certainly a bit intimidating coming from a small family business into a major manufacturer; how would I fit into a corporate environment?”

When McGoldrick joined the company in 1997 as a product analyst, Bruce Carnevale, now president and CEO of Bradford White, who started with the company the year before — was the company’s product manager of international sales. “We immediately connected with one another.  Through our early conversations, we realized we had a lot of common acquaintances, and with that our friendship formed.  He took me under his wing and guided me,” McGoldrick notes. “Not only has he been a close friend, but also a phenomenal mentor, great coach and incredible leader.” 

McGoldrick rapidly moved up the ladder. From 2000 to 2003, he held the product manager position. From there, he went on to regional sales manager (2004-2007), up to national marketing manager (2007-2008), and then on to director of sales (2009-2012). In 2012, he was named vice president-sales; in 2019, he was named senior vice president-sales, the title he holds today. 

Each step along his path was rightfully earned — and he would turn his knowledge and love of the water heating company into strong commitments and partnerships with its contractor and wholesale customers, and the manufacturer’s representatives he would work with along the way. 

Loyalty to Reps

“I’m the beneficiary of Bob’s philosophy, and I try to be a steward to that legacy, the opportunities afforded to me, and I want to make sure to do my best to pay it forward,” McGoldrick says. And it starts with the company’s customer-focused approach and always “Doing the right thing” — a foundational motto of his and the company he proudly represents.

At the 2012 Bradford White national sales meeting, the significance of active participation in industry organizations was a key discussion point — for the company and its reps. Bruce Carnevale emphasized, “It’s not enough just to write a check — we need to be involved in industry organizations.” Brian Burke, president of the Burke Agency and conference chair of AIM/R, urged the representatives present to join AIM/R and attend the upcoming convention.

Months later, the pre-convention registration numbers disappointed McGoldrick. He wrote a strongly worded letter to all agencies representing Bradford White Water Heaters. He expressed frustration with the lack of support for their industry organization, and his push for them to join AIM/R was for their benefit, not his. “The amount of education, connections and networking that can be done at an AIM/R conference is invaluable,” McGoldrick explained. 

When a long-time rep friend considered not going, McGoldrick persuaded him to send the newer generation of leaders instead to cultivate their network and learn industry best practices. This move proved fruitful, as the next generation of leaders are now advancing the business and actively contributing to AIM/R.

“A primary contributor to the success at Bradford White is our loyal and dedicated  manufacturers’ representatives,” McGoldrick explains. His support is not just professional; it’s personal, stemming from his experience in his family’s business and his understanding of the importance of relationships in achieving business success. As a proponent for knowledgeable and professional representation, he tirelessly advocates for reps to join AIM/R.

Furthermore, around 2012, McGoldrick recognized an industry-wide oversight in succession planning, also affecting manufacturers’ rep agencies. “Many of these companies are friends and family to me, not just customers, and I wanted to make sure they would continue to succeed,” he shares. He engaged in difficult dialogues with them about their plans and growth ambitions, which aimed at securing their success and ensuring the continued growth of Bradford White. These conversations were tough but needed. 

“I met ‘Jimmy’ at his father’s plumbing shop in suburban Philadelphia around 1994,” notes Alan Cohen, vice president of sales at Rich-Tomkins Co. “And I feel fortunate to have had a front-row seat watching Jim’s family and career take shape. Passion and devotion are the words that come to mind when I think of Jim. He has always had an ‘all in’ approach. And he sets that expectation with those around him. He has been a champion for the entire rep community. Not only for his reps but also for the reps he competes against. Jim has made me a better rep and leader, and Rich-Tomkins a better agency.”

Bruce Carnevale notes: “Jimmy has been impactful in every level of our channel, but his influence on the rep community is what I find most significant. He’s been critical in helping them understand some of the dynamics and the changes the industry is going through and supporting them as our business partners.”

For his unwavering support of the manufacturers’ representatives, McGoldrick was honored with the AIM/R Golden Eagle Award in 2012 for his relentless dedication and drive to aid reps’ success.

Supporting the Channel

Growing up visiting wholesale distributors while working with this father and grandfather in the family business, McGoldrick understood the importance of keeping all channel sectors healthy.

“With such frenetic changes in both company ownership and the changes in distribution, we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to help be a part of the solution for continued success,” McGoldrick says. He jumped in to lend his voice and support to the American Supply Association (ASA) early on. In 2018, he served as a Trustee with the ASA Education Foundation (ASAEF), becoming its president in 2021. During this time, he was actively involved in developing training courses to help distributors and courses designed for manufacturers’ representatives. 

“The kind of people who go above and beyond to make an industry, a company or a community better come along rarely,” notes Katie Poehling Seymour, ASA president and president/CEO of First Supply. “Our industry has far more than our fair share. But even so, people like Jim McGoldrick stand out. His work with one of our industry’s most critical initiatives to drive education and engagement at the ASA Education Foundation is legendary. I’m proud to have had his contributions to not only our industry as a whole but to ASA and our community.” 

Wholesale distributors took notice of the youthful and passionate advocate for the trades and distribution. “Jim epitomizes what Bradford White is all about: both are committed to the trade professional and the wholesale channel,” says Clem Ciocca, owner of Grove Supply. “Always smiling, always cheerful, Jim gets it!” 

McGoldrick also supported the distribution channel by attending industry conventions and becoming involved in the regional organizations. He participated in the Southern Wholesaler Association for many years and was active in its Leadership Development Council.

“Jim embodies the customer-centric culture of Bradford White,” Bruce Carnevale explains. “What people see is that he cares about their success. It’s not about him; it’s about what he can do to help others, and nobody embraces that better than he does. Jimmy is the ultimate “go-giver.”

Mentors

“This industry has given me so much, and I am truly blessed and fortunate,” McGoldrick states.

Along his incredible 27-year journey at Bradford White, I asked McGoldrick who his mentors are. He smiles that big smile, and I know whoever guided this powerful soul are also leaders – both in life and business. Those mentors he mentioned were Bob Carnevale, Ted Sikorski, Nick Giuffre, Eric Lannes, and most impactful was Bruce Carnevale.  Jim recalls former Bradford White President & CEO Nick Giuffre (and fellow Person of the Year) inviting him to informal dinner meetings in the early days. In attendance would be Bob Carnevale and Ted Sikorski. 

“I remember Nick saying to me, ‘You will come to dinner and keep your mouth shut; you sit there and be a sponge,” he recalls.  Giuffre was showing him that the knowledge the people at the table could and would provide, along with their approach to business and customer service, would serve as the guide he needed. 

“The group consisted of industry legends — all focused on our core customers, and everyone gets treated like a customer, whether it’s a rep, a contractor, a wholesaler, an employee or a supplier — it didn’t matter,” he adds. Their counsel taught McGoldrick how to navigate through challenges and the commonality of treating everyone like family. And it shows. He considers them all his mentors, yet two beacons guide him above all else: his wife Susan and their family, and Bruce Carnevale.

From the early years in the company up to today, Bruce Carnevale and McGoldrick have a type of bond that is more like brothers. “I was blessed to have Bruce embrace me from the beginning,” McGoldrick notes. “He invested in my professional development long before I would report directly to him. We are highly competitive with one another, and I would torture the hell out of him! He would always respond, ‘someday!’ ‘Someday you will report to me and regret all the things you say and do to me!’ All kidding aside, Bruce is the older brother I never had, and his interest and devotion to developing me has been huge. If not for him, my career accomplishments would look much different.  He is the reason I am here.”

McGoldrick has chosen to retire after spending 27 years with the company for one reason: his family. Throughout the past few years, with close family members passing away and others needing the comfort and love that only family can provide, McGoldrick approached his wife Susan to discuss retiring. 

“Susan is a selfless supporter and the most incredible person I’ve ever met,” he says. “I couldn’t have done what I did for Bradford White or this industry without her full support — and it’s not been easy for her. She is the rock of our family, an incredible supporter, and an extraordinary example for me and our kids.” When McGoldrick talks about Susan and their children Molly and Jace, he beams with pride and love. It’s all about family – caring for one another and helping the other grow and thrive. “Bruce will tell you that my greatest sales achievement was getting Susan to go out with me!”

The Next Step

When McGoldrick contemplated retiring, he wanted to ensure the sales team was positioned for continued success: “Through all the consideration of this move the greatest source of pride for me is the growth and development of our sales management team, and I am absolutely confident that our team and its leadership will continue to be tremendous stewards to our established tradition of a customer first approach.  I have seen firsthand the leadership emergence of both Matt Kozak and Greg Eynon, and know we, our customers and our reps are perfectly positioned for many years to come.”

“I have worked for Jimmy my entire career at Bradford White,” notes Kozak. “As I look back on these 16 years, I never felt as if I was working for him, but rather, I was working with him. He is the epitome of a sales leader.”

Greg Eynon notes: “Leaders like Jimmy don’t come around that often. In my 20 years in this industry, I can count on one hand the sales executives that have elevated to his level of customer relationships. Jim brings outstanding leadership to Bradford White that will be missed. He has taught us to take a long-term approach and put the customer at the center of our decision-making. He has worked tirelessly to load our sales team with talent and position us for a new generation of success. All of us at Bradford White are grateful for who he is as a businessman, but more importantly, we are grateful for who he is as a person and a friend.” 

I asked Bruce Carnevale about Jim’s impact on the company and the industry. It’s easy to see the genuine respect and brotherly admiration the two have for one another — and how their lives have been woven together. 

“I am thrilled for Jimmy,” he says. “He is like a little brother; we have been through a lot together. Jimmy was a plumbing contractor working in his family business when he came to us. That gave him a level of knowledge and understanding about what our end customers go through and the ability to connect with contractors and help our reps and customers connect with contractors. Coming to us with that perspective and taking that perspective to every level in our business relationships has been gratifying to see and very helpful to Bradford White and our customers. 

“His legacy at Bradford White is the team he’s built here —- the best sales team in the industry. And that is a credit to Jimmy; he’s the guy who created that team. And he created it in his image. We have a team that cares about our customers, and they want our customers to succeed. And that’s what we’re all about.”

McGoldrick will leave the company at the end of this year, however, just like at the beginning of his story – he was born into the industry that will forever be in his blood. His impact will be felt for many generations to come, and that is due to his passion for helping others succeed. Cheers to you, Jimmy, and thank you for showing us that “Doing the right thing” can make a world of difference.