William J. Brader, President

Our company founder has over 30 years experience in the food brokerage in both the Retail and Foodservice industry.  In 1987, he created the company with the intent of focusing on the development of perishable food products in the retail market place.  Today, he focuses on the retail segment of our business, handling such headquarter accounts as Wegmans, Tops Markets, and Olean Wholesale & Wilson Farms.

Thomas J. Gumkowski, Vice President Sales and Director of Food Service

Tom is a MBA graduate of Canisius College.  He brings over 30 years of distribution experience to our company and has directed companies ranging in size from $25 to $400 million in annual sales.  He has a strong Food Service background with firms such as S.M. Flickinger Co., and Peter J. Schmitt; paper and non foods experience with SOFCO and Unisource division of Georgia Pacific; convenient store experience with Tripifoods; and bakery distribution with BakeMark Ingredients.  He heads up the Food Service business segment of our firm and directly handles Food Service customer accounts in the Buffalo and Rochester market areas.

Robert Alan Johnson, Tops Market Account Manager 

Rob joined W.J. Brader & Assoc. in November 2007 bringing over 30 years of retail Supermarket Purchasing & Management experience. He has a strong background working for companies such as Latina Foods (Retail Supermarkets) Chiquita Brands, Green Giant Fresh Foods and Tops Markets.

Dorothy Grant, Retail Sales Merchandiser

Dorothy joined W.J. Brader & Associates in June of 1989.  Previous to this she worked as a Wholesale/Retail representative for a Food Service broker firm, Gagliardi Marketing Group. Today she is responsible for sales and merchandising for primarily a retail customer base located in the Rochester, Syracuse and Elmira market area.

Clarice Visco, Retail Sales Merchandiser

Clarice joined our firm in January of 1990, coming to us from Paul Michelson Food Brokers. She possesses a strong level of deli/dairy merchandising experience.  Her territorial responsibilities include covering our major retailers in the Buffalo and western New York market area.

Tina Irving, Retail Sales Merchandiser

Tina joined our firm to assist with the expanding store geography of our Wegmans’ business, and is responsible for

Handling the sales and merchandising needs of the stores in the New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Md. and Va. areas.

Pamela Terrela, Account Executive (Southern Region)

Pamela has direct account responsibility for both distributor and some retail accounts.  Her primary focus is Food Service.  She is well versed in this market segment with extensive food service experience with regional restaurants in the market area.

Michael Schafer, End User Specialist 

A newly added position, Mike’s responsibility is assisting our account executives in providing the necessary end User account work and product demo’s for our various product lines.  He works in conjunction with our Account Executives to help us maintain quick responses to our distributors needs and in getting our principles products out to the market.

Debra Smolak, Retail Sales/Service Representative

Debra joined WJ Brader & Associates in April 2008 from H.C. Brill Company.

Annette Drescher, Office Manager – Customer Service

Annette joined our organization in August of 1987.  Her responsibilities include: order entry, broker tracking / reconciliations and overseeing our daily office functions. She has extensive office experience and is well trained to service the needs of our principles.

Cathy Sitarek, Customer Service

Cathy handles order entry and all customer service concerns.

Mary Ann Smith, Customer Service 

Mary Ann handles order entry and all customer service concerns.