Gregory G. Braendel

Executive Director and Founder of

Career Dreams Incorporated &

The Career Dreams Educational Foundation

Gregory G. Braendel founded Career Dreams Incorporated (CDI) in 1994 and the non profit Career Dreams Educational Foundation in 1999 based on his deeply-held belief that everyone is brilliant at something. He recognized that helping people discover what they are best at doing will greatly enhance job satisfaction and improve the productivity of American businesses.

Mr. Braendel's background as an entrepreneur, actor and author has uniquely prepared him for this endeavor.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mr. Braendel pursued a successful career in acting. His training at the Pasadena Playhouse and in London resulted in numerous performances including the role of Jimmy Stewart in "The Grace Kelly Story"; Dr. Morris in "Murder in Texas"; Dr. Shepherd in the soap opera "Days of Our Lives"; and more than twenty-five other roles in television, theater and feature films.

Throughout his acting career, Mr. Braendel was involved in a variety of business ventures to support himself between performances. By being honest and identifying true value for the customers, he was very successful in selling a variety of products. He pitched mops at county fairs and home shows throughout California; designed and built decking and hot tubs for private homes; marketed solar energy systems and co-generation plants for commercial and industrial applications; promoted the tax incentive program for independent energy systems; and bought, renovated and sold houses.

In 1986, Mr. Braendel founded Thrislington Cubicles, Inc., a manufacturer of partitions for public rest rooms and fitting rooms for retail clothing stores. The partitions were originally designed in England and had won the prestigious Design Council Award for the best new design of a building product in the UK. Mr. Braendel started with a $10,000.00 investment and within three years his company was worth $10,000,000.00. Thrislington was marketed throughout the United States and Canada. The company became known in the industry for its impeccable customer service, which included 100% on-time delivery in an industry where "late" was the standard. The company also maintained receivables at 45 days or less throughout its entire history. In 1992, Mr. Braendel sold the company to the leader in the washroom equipment industry .

Between 1992 and 1994, Mr. Braendel was involved in the formulation and creation of several businesses.

Mr. Braendel co-founded ZAX Interactives, a multimedia production company, to develop and market and educational and entertainment programs using CD-ROM technology.  In conjunction with Phillips Electronics, ZAX developed the first custom CDI program for a commercial application. While with ZAX, Mr. Braendel negotiated a contract with State of California Department of Justice to computerize the "Legal Source Book" for peace officers.

Mr. Braendel co-founded Nora Productions to produce a theatrical feature film: "Half Life" starring Rodney Grant, written by Philip Daughtry and Stephen Peck, and represented by ICM, a highly respected international agency.

In conjunction with founder Stephen Peck, Mr. Braendel started the Far from Home Foundation, a non-profit corporation for homeless veterans. This organization included honorary Board members former Presidents Carter and Ford, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart and Sidney Poitier.

Mr. Braendel co-founded the Guam Communications Network, a federally-funded nonprofit corporation established to promote a centralized communication network and public support for the island of Guam and its people. The organization educates the general public in cultural history , language and arts.

Mr. Braendel and his success in entrepreneurial ventures have been featured in several articles and books including: a seven page article in the tenth anniversary edition of Inc. Magazine "With a Little Help From His Friends", April,1989; the book "From the Ground Up", by John Case, published by Simon & Schuster; the university textbook, "Business for the 21st Century", by Skinner and Ivancevich, published by Irwin Publishing; Contract Forum "Cubicle Niche Market Thrives for Thrislington" Jan/Feb 1991; Interiors "Tech & Process, Business Process", Sep 1m; Business Interiors "Thrislington Cubicles: An Entrepreneurial Success Story".

Mr. Braendel is an author and a speaker. He authored an article that appeared in Inc. Magazine "Real Business", July 1994, and recently completed two books with working titles; "Nieve Power" and "The Creative Revolution".  He has addressed the Intelligence community in Washington, DC (CIA, FBI and the NOR, etc.) as their key-note speaker with a speech entitled, "Breaking the Rules. "

Mr. Braendel was active in Big Brothers of America from 1973 through 1985, and was honored for the longest big brother/little brother relationship in the Los Angeles area. He has been involved in the California Special Olympics since 1980 as a Celebrity Participant in the state and local chapters.