Jim Wade, Bruce Farrell Named to Regional Business Hall of Fame

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia has announced the addition of two regional business leaders into the Southwest Virginia Business Hall of Fame – Jim Wade, former president of Advance Auto Parts, and Bruce Farrell, CEO of Berglund Management Group.

Their many contributions to business and community – and in this year’s case to the automotive industry – will be recognized at the 25th annual Business Hall of Fame (BHF) dinner Nov. 5 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. They will join 51 other individuals who have been inducted in the Hall of Fame.

“This annual fundraiser, which keeps growing and celebrates our region’s business successes, makes it possible for Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. This event recognizes the accomplishments of those who have, through their professional, personal sacrifice and commitment to our community, helped so many others succeed in business and in life,” said Katherin Elam, president of JA of Southwest Virginia. “We are proud to honor innovators and leaders who paved the way and contributed to our region’s quality of life and growing spirit of entrepreneurism in the Roanoke and New River valleys.”

Jim Wade
Jim Wade

Jim Wade served as president of Advance Auto Parts through 2011 and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and to provide strategic leadership to the company. He joined Advance Auto Parts in 1994 and held key leadership positions as the company grew from 300 stores to become the largest automotive aftermarket auto parts provider in North America with nearly $10 billion in revenues and become a member of the Fortune 500.

Prior to serving as president, during his tenure with Advance he served in various other roles including senior vice president-Logistics, chief financial officer and executive vice president.

Mr. Wade also currently serves as on the Board of Directors of several public and private companies.  Over his career he has also served on numerous local and regional non-profit Boards including the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley, Center in the Square, W.H. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center, United Way, and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association.

Prior to joining Advance Auto Parts, Mr. Wade was employed by S.H. Heronimus. Inc., American Motor Inns, Inc. and KPMG, Inc. He graduated from Virginia Tech.

Mr. Wade and his wife Ellen have two daughters, Jennifer and Amanda, and two granddaughters and split their time between their homes in Roanoke and Charlotte.

Bruce Farrell
Bruce Farrell

Bruce Farrell is a great American entrepreneur success story.  Mr. Farrell began his career as a mechanic and today, along with his son William, who is now president of the company, built an organization that owns and operates 31 automotive brand franchises in 12 locations throughout Southwest and Central Virginia.  The Berglund Management Group’s name, which now has more than 700 employees, was recently awarded the naming rights for our region’s premier Coliseum, Hall and Performing Arts Center, the Berglund Center.

Mr. Farrell’s story is not complicated.  He just plain worked hard.  He received his first set of mechanic’s tools from his mother, Alma L. Farrell, when he was 14.  She may have regretted that when he eventually had car engines hanging from trees in their yard near Boston, where he grew up.  After starting his career at a Chevrolet store, he worked for the Chevrolet Motor Division, operating from Virginia Beach and traveling extensively as a field service representative.

He moved his family to Roanoke in 1976 to work for Donald Berglund’s Chevrolet store where he was quickly promoted to General Manager and became part owner.  This move allowed him to be home each night with his wife, Lucy, and three children, William, Virginia Brooke, and Michael. The Farrell family obtained full ownership of the dealership when Mr. Berglund passed away in 1987.

A private man, Bruce and Lucy have been silent donors to countless charitable organizations in our region for many years.  Mr. Farrell’s commitment to keeping things simple, focusing on his customers and employees and what affects the bottom line the most in business, and in life, are the principles he lives by.

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