Barry Segal

In business and in philanthropy, Barry obsessed over the challenge of solving big problems and getting things done more efficiently and effectively.

As a business person, he was a fantastically successful entrepreneur. He started his company, Bradco, in 1966 after working with his father for 15 years at the H. Verby Company. His father eventually joined him at Bradco. The company was built over decades until 2006, when Bradco sales peaked at over $1.9 billion with 150 branches across the U.S. In August 2008, he sold control of the company and began his journey into philanthropy.

Segal Family Foundation was registered in 2004 as the manifestation of Barry’s belief that individuals and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa were just a few opportunities away from realizing stable, healthy, and empowered lives. The SFF team strives to remain true to this vision to this day. Watch a video to see how Barry has influenced the values and mission of SFF here.

Twice daily tennis, visits with 15 grandchildren, managing the family’s finances and running the foundation didn’t fill his days so Barry started a second foundation, Focus for Health Foundation, dedicated to ensuring individuals can make optimal health decisions. In 2021, he founded Focus Central America to address the issues fueling forced migration in the region.

Barry passed away in 2025. His legacy lives on through his family, his friends, his business and philanthropic achievements, and the countless lives he changed around the world.