Fast 15: David Bradley

David Bradley has varied interests, but he delves into each of them intently.

A Blytheville native, Bradley majored in criminal justice at the University of Arkansas and added a master’s degree in political science in 2008. It was during the latter time that Bradley worked on a political campaign and had his interest in communications stoked.

That’s how he ended up working in the communications department at Northwest Arkansas Community College, and later the ALPFA Institute at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business. Bradley’s role at ALPFA largely was to develop innovative new concepts that expanded the understanding of diversity and community at the executive level among area businesses.

His work at ALPFA also led to a blogging gig at YouEarnedIt, an employee rewards platform launched by Rockfish Interactive. Most of Bradley’s entries involve workplace culture and employee engagement.

In November, Bradley changed his primary workplace again by moving to Sofftek. There, he manages several large-scale IT development projects on an international level for a Fortune 500 company.

It is another of Bradley’s side ventures, however, that perhaps most reveals his passion. The founder of TEDx Fayetteville, Bradley spent about a year organizing the event, which was held March 27 and attended by about 150 people.

TED is a nonprofit devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading,” and TEDx events are designed “to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.”

The events have become increasingly popular, and Bradley began watching videos of events about five years ago. Then a thought flashed into his mind.

“We’re a ripe environment for one these,” he remembers thinking.

Bradley’s fervent belief in Northwest Arkansas’ potential to become known for more than just its handful of corporate giants is quickly apparent.

“There’s so much more we have here in Northwest Arkansas, but very few people realize it,” he said, adding he believes the region is “a diamond in the rough” in terms of “innovative people and research.”

His involvement with TEDx even inspired Bradley to take up a new hobby — gardening. So in addition to spending time with his expecting wife and 2-year-old son and an occasional round of golf, Bradley also tends to a plot that includes beans, onions and strawberries.