Kirk Bradley, developer of MOSAIC and CEO of Lee-Moore Capital, was recognized as one of North Carolina’s most influential leaders in Business North Carolina’s (BNC) Power List 2022. In BNC’s first interview feature, a partnership with High Point University, Bradley met with President Nido Qubein to share his views on North Carolina’s economic development.
“Do your best to help everyone you can.”
This mantra is the motivation behind Bradley’s pursuit to better North Carolina’s communities and is a central theme of his interview with Qubein. A real estate development professional with deep roots in the state, Bradley shares his unique perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of North Carolina’s economy, and what can be done to achieve its full economic potential.
When asked about North Carolina’s future, Bradley discusses industries that have bolstered the economy – the university and community college systems, the military, and the life sciences – as well as those he believes will have a significant impact on growth. He predicts the emergence of automobile, semiconductor and gene therapy manufacturing will be key to the prosperity of the state.
Bradley is enthusiastic about North Carolina’s future yet recognizes areas for improvement. He believes in significant investment in developing and maintaining a strong and committed workforce. “It’s a challenge, and it won’t be easy,” he states, “but if we can master that, we’ll have a competitive advantage not only in the United States, but in the world.”
But perhaps the biggest constraint North Carolina faces, Bradley says, is the lack of a clearly defined mission. He says successful enterprises, be it a town or private enterprise, have an established, straightforward mission that reflects a comprehensive set of values and a clear vision for the future.
“It’s great to win, and I’m all for winning, but sometimes you win by accident. Sometimes you win by design,” Bradley quips, “I like winning by design because then you can repeat it and sustain it.”
“A well-designed vision will get elected leaders as well as private businesses, industry stakeholders and others to recognize what North Carolina is capable of.”
