After decades of leadership as a military officer, government executive, university president and Scout and business leader, Rodney H. Brady has identified several lessons for successful living. Highlights of his time-tested lessons include:
Indeed, Brother Brady has enjoyed a goal-oriented life — one defined by hard work, cherished interpersonal relationships and, above all, a lifelong testimony of the Church. Now he approaches a new chapter in his rich history: retirement. Brother Brady recently stepped down as president and chief executive officer of Deseret Management Corporation, which oversees for-profit commercial enterprises affiliated with the Church.
Just don't expect Brother Brady to confuse "retirement" with "idleness." When a reporter asked him what he planned to do with his time, he was quick with a list of activities: writing, reading, speaking, teaching, studying, painting, piano playing, organizing, exercising, enjoying time with his wife and performing service for his family, community and Church.
"And," he added with a smile, "an occasional round of golf."
A caring teacher at Utah's Jordan High School — Mr. Phil F. Goldbranson — placed young Rodney Brady on the path to a goal-driven life. In 1950 Rodney was a 17-year-old senior in high school. He had not yet considered his long-term ambitions until the day Mr. Goldbranson pulled him aside and challenged him to write down the things he wanted to accomplish in his life.
Accepting the challenge, Rodney embarked on the enormous task of identifying the scores of goals that would define him — along with the steps he would need to take to realize each goal.
"As a result of my being introduced at an early age to the formal method of goals setting ... I am absolutely convinced that I have achieved much in life that I could not, or would not, have achieved had I left these accomplishments to chance," wrote Brother Brady years later. "I believe that many of the academic, professional, public service and personal opportunities that have come my way have resulted through applying the principles of goal setting, plan development and plan implementation first learned during my senior year in high school."
With his goals in place, Rodney Brady left Jordan High with a life plan that has served him well. In 1953, he accepted a two-year mission call to Great Britain. He developed a love for the English people, served the Lord and, on one occasion, enjoyed the company of the "British Bulldog" himself, Sir Winston Churchill. A friend of the Church in England arranged a meeting between the storied prime minister and Elder Brady and his companion. Brother Brady remembers keenly Churchill's charisma and hospitality. "He made me feel at ease."
The missionaries presented Churchill with a leather-bound copy of the Book of Mormon and spoke about the Church. In exchange, the prime minister signed a photo for the missionaries. Before they left, Churchill offered young Elder Brady a cigar, who replied, "We don't smoke — but I'll take one for my pocket."
That unsmoked cigar now sits encased in glass in Brother Brady's office — a memento of his meeting with one of the most pivotal figures of the 20th century.
Brother Brady's pursuit of academic goals would take him to the University of Utah and later to Harvard, where he claimed a doctorate of business administration with high honors. After a three-year stint in the Air Force, he began a professional career that would stretch across almost half a century. Highlights include his service as vice president of Bergen Brunswig Corporation (pharmaceuticals), president and CEO of Bonneville International Corporation and his 13-year tenure at the helm of Deseret Management Corporation.
He also spent two years in Washington, D.C., during the Nixon administration as a member of the president's sub-cabinet and assistant secretary for administration and management of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Brother Brady counts his years as the president of Weber State University (1978-1985) as the highlight of his professional career. He enjoyed the daily interaction with the school's students and faculty. The college campus was a reminder of the potential of young people as they made essential decisions on careers, marriage and the direction of their lives. He remains a loyal Wildcat and has his radio frequently locked in on a Weber State ball game.
In 1957, he married fellow University of Utah graduate Carolyn "Mitzi" Hansen. The Bradys have three sons: Howard, Ryan and Brooks. Brother Brady said a strong, loving family has proved pivotal in realizing his many goals. "My wife has made all the difference in my life."
A visit to Brother Brady's office also reveals a life devoted to Scouting. He earned the Eagle Award as a boy and, years later, was awarded the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo awards for service to the program at all levels. He has been a member of Scouting's Governing National Executive Board and headed the National Cub Scout Program, overseeing the activities of over 2 million Cub Scouts. He remains an advocate of the importance of Scouting.
"Nothing I do in life gives me greater satisfaction than to see a Scout or a student make important decisions wisely," he said.
His goal to be a faithful member of the Church motivated him as a full-time missionary and, later, as bishop of the Westwood Ward in Los Angeles and as president of the Los Angeles California Stake. He lists his association with the Brethren as one of the choice fruits of his involvement with Church-owned businesses. He has enjoyed the personal counsel of Church presidents from Harold B. Lee to Thomas S. Monson.
"One of my great joys has been the close contacts I have had with the General Authorities of the Church," he said.
