There is little doubt that Rich Brandenburg loves the state of Ohio. The senior vice president of sales at Donnellon McCarthy Enterprises (DME) has totally immersed himself in the community through his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati. A former football player at Thomas More University, he logged five years as the head coach for a high school varsity football team. The love of community extends to DME’s employees, who participate in a Community Day every quarter.
The Queen City benefits from DME as much as the dealer thrives on providing quality products and customer care to the business community. In a short three-year span, Brandenburg helped bolster the company’s IT division to the tune of 40% growth, onboarding an IT director and a vCIO in the process. In a copier sales career that spans 18 years, including a 12-year stint with Ohio heavyweight Prosource, Brandenburg notes of his run, “It’s been a great ride.”
It’s hard to argue with the results.
“I believe in working together and empowering your teams to be successful,” said Brandenburg, a 2021 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I have a great team that does amazing work. We set business goals and personal goals every year and help with the planning to make those a reality. We are a big family and take care of each other.”
Taking care of other people resonates with Brandenburg, who once brought his mother on a president’s club trip in order to celebrate her retirement. It’s bonding moments such as this, and spending time with community children as a Big Brother, which fuel memories and provide that great ride.
To this day, Brandenburg follows the teachings of industry consultant Mike Riordan of Riordan and Associates, whom he credits with helping to shape Brandenburg’s career during its formative years. “There are a lot of his teachings that still hold true today,” he notes.
One of the greatest triumphs in 2020 was DME’s contract renewal of the largest school district in the state of Ohio, marking the fourth time the dealer had procured the pact. DME was able to rise above a list of 25 competitors for the deal, which DME garnered through continued excellence throughout sales, service, admin—the entire organization.
Digging Deep
As 2021 rolls into its final quarter, Brandenburg notes DME has ambitious goals, not the least is the continuation of double-digit sales and profit growth. By investing in training team members, the dealer seeks to provide career advancement and opportunities.
In elevating his and DME’s game, Brandenburg believes a nose-to-the-grindstone approach opens the door to greater possibilities. “I believe the harder you work, the luckier you get,” he said. “I am only as good as my team, and I’ve got a great one. We will continue to invest in them professionally and personally, and keep turning the needle.”
Brandenburg and his wife, Emily, are the parents of three children—son Brody, 15; daughter Riley, 12; and son Bryce, 9—with two “spunky” English bulldogs (Roxy and Tripp) rounding out the brood. He spends a good deal of free time either coaching their athletic teams on the field or being a spectator from the stands. The family also enjoys stealing away to its lake property, relaxing or pulling the kids around the water on tubes.
