Brad Piehl and his wife, Jessica moved to Summit County from Boulder. They weren’t sure if they would stay. Brad didn’t know what was in store for him—none of us do—but when we look back we can see patterns and connections. Brad’s love for the outdoors probably led him to get a degree in forest hydrology and build a business in watershed protection. His devotion to his kids directed his attention to their education, which led to lots of volunteering.

Living and Working in Summit County

Brad grew up in a “tiny town” in Minnesota, and Breckenridge has some similarities. “It’s the little things, like how often you run into people that you know and that know your kids,” Brad said. His dad grew up on a farm and only made it through 8th grade. Brad’s dad and uncle became entrepreneurs by building a successful a Ford car dealership.

Brad saw education as his way out of the farm town and ended up with a master’s in forest hydrology. “Education has changed my life. It’s been a dream to work in Summit County and protecting watersheds from forest fires.” Part of his work is organizing and setting priorities and direction for watershed collaboratives. He sets agendas and develops priorities for groups with varied priorities, like water providers and the forest service. Recently working near Twin Lakes, hiking through an aspen forest in brilliant fall colors he thought, “How did I get here, why do I get paid to do this? Pinch me. Sometimes life is good.”

Supporting Education

When Brad’s son reached Kindergarten, his wife joined the school’s PTA. Brad joined a year or two later. They both joined the school accountability committee, and later Brad became the district accountability chair. Next, he ran for school board, and won. His only regret was that he wasn’t on the board when his kids graduated, because he would have like to hand them their diplomas. All his kids are off to college, with one recently graduating.

After serving on the school board, he joined Education Foundation of the Summit as chairperson. “Everyone on the foundation is on the same page. It’s been a great way to feel like you’re making a difference.” said Brad. “It’s been rewarding to grow with the community, with a diversity of funding from donors, sponsors, and foundations.”

Brad loves that the Education Foundation is helping bring STEAM opportunities for kids, such as coding with EVO3 Foundation. Brad describes his favorite fundraiser, Trivia Night: “There’s 275 people drinking, eating, and having a good time. It’s not just fundraising. So many people want to be there because it’s fun, intellectually challenging, and they are making education in Summit better.” He enjoys inspiring teachers to come up with new ideas and giving them an opportunity to do something different, through the Eileen Finkel Innovative Teaching Awards. The best part, he says, can be hearing from a student. The foundation received one note that’s stayed with Brad. A young man who received an iPad scholarship was thrilled because technology makes dealing with his dyslexia easier. Brad said, “Those are good moments.”

Help Brad raise money for Summit students and teachers during Education Foundation of the Summit’s Colorado Gives Day Campaign by clicking here

Posted in EFS Blog Posts