Garry Bradford believes in taking care of the people who work for him. And that philosophy applies not only to those who work closely with him at UniqueHR’s corporate headquarters in Corpus Christi, but anywhere across the United States from temporary workers to white-collar, part-time employees.
UniqueHR is a professional employer organization, or PEO, that specializes in human resource services for corporations, including payroll, safety, health and claims management.
“Especially here at our corporate headquarters, we have many long-term employees who have been with us for decades,” Bradford says. “We are proud of that fact. I believe if you take care of your people, they’ll take care of you.”
A retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve after 30 years of service, Bradford is an exceptional combination of a no-nonsense businessman and a generous heart.
He even has an eye for men’s fashion.
Prior taking over the helm at UniqueHR as president and chief executive officer, Bradford was a member of senior management at JC Penney Company for more than 20 years. Part of his time there included three years at its corporate headquarters in New York City as a buyer for men’s clothing.
“It was an amazing experience,” Bradford marvels. “It taught me so much about organizational structure, budgetary skills and working alongside manufacturers. I was picking out buttons and pinstripes for suits. And my work even included collaborating with the catalog sales folks on the photography. At the time, JC Penney custom designed fabrics for their own line of clothes and had rigorous tests to ensure durability and fabric counts.”
But after a few years of commuting from the suburbs into the city, which included catching a bus at 4:30 a.m. in the snow and walking almost two miles to his Manhattan-based office, Bradford knew it was time for a change.
“It was a fast-paced lifestyle and I’m glad I did it, but even happier I’m not doing it anymore,” he laughs.
One year after moving to Corpus Christi in 1990 for his retirement, he learned of an opportunity to purchase UniqueHR and seized the chance to become an entrepreneur.
At the time, his wife, Rebecca, was a schoolteacher and now serves as the company’s senior vice president.
“I have always enjoyed working with people, so we both decided to take a chance with different career paths,” Bradford says. “We have the ability to change people’s lives in a positive way and have loved every minute since.”
The company employs more than 10,000 people a year, with contracts outside the city for 12,000 employees in Houston and Arlington.
“We work with corporations that have a presence in 11 states throughout the country,” Bradford says. “They also use our temporary/permanent staffing company in addition to our professional employer organization.”
In addition to their corporate headquarters in Corpus Christi, UniqueHR has offices in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas, with a total of 59 employees.
Bradford says despite the current tough economic job market, many major corporations are still looking for qualified professionals. However, they are being more selective when choosing the right candidate for the job.
“Employers today are looking for people with college degrees, a strong work ethic and smart self-starters,” he advises. “Our specialty is giving our team players the tools they need to succeed at their jobs. I love helping my employees realize their dreams and goals.”
His advice for those struggling to find their niche in a tight job market: Never give up.
“If you want to make it happen, you can do it,” he says. “I’ve never hired a consultant to tell me how to run my business because I have surrounded myself with people who make things happen.”
Visit UniqueHR on the Web at www.UniqueEmployment.com for more information on its services.
