Originally, Bruce Carnevale had no intention of working at Ambler, Pa.-based water-heater manufacturer Bradford White.
“I was guilted into it,” he said with a laugh. “I was working for a big chemical company out of Chicago and my father (A. Robert Carnevale) was looking for someone who could do engineering sales and product development internationally for Bradford White. He asked and I said I really didn’t want to be the boss’ son — I was doing well on my own. He asked a third and fourth time and then asked me what was going to happen with my next promotion at the chemical company. I said I would have to move to Chicago. Being the Italian father he is, he said I was going to break my mother’s heart and send my grandmother to my grave if I moved. That’s why I’m at Bradford White. Outside of my family it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My dad was right. It was the right thing to do.”