Hall of Fame
If you walk into Brent’s office you’ll see a motivational poster that reads:
“Competition; Whomever said, it is not whether you win or lose that counts, most likely LOST.”
That should tell you all you need to know about his competitive nature.
Brent competed in #1 singles and doubles for Rock Valley College in 1981 and 1982 where he anchored two excellent teams under head coach Steve Vee. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Trojans to the national tournament in Ocala, FL, where he and his partner upset the #4 seeded team in the first round. Brent went on to earn a full scholarship for tennis at Bradley University, where he competed in #2 singles and #1 doubles as a freshman, and #1 singles and #1 doubles as a sophomore.
As an academic, he began his experience at RVC as early as 1978, taking evening courses in microelectronics. He earned an Associate of Applied Science from RVC in 1982 and later a Bachelor of Science with a Business minor from Bradley in 1984.
After graduating from Bradley, Brent began his career at the Barber Colman Company in 1984. He would work for Barber Colman for 19 years in various positions, working his way up to Vice President/General Manager of North American Operations. With partner Frank Rotello, Brent later formed his own company, Alpha Controls & Services, where he still serves as president.
His community service over the years has included serving on the United Way of Rock River Valley Board for seven years, and with the OSF Saint Anthony Hospital Foundation for 15 years in various capacities, including president. Most recently, Brent began serving on the Rockford Park District Foundation Board.
Brent has obviously been a pillar in the community, but his contributions to Rock Valley College deserve special recognition. He has been an active member of the RVC Athletics Booster Club and a generous supporter of its fundraising events for over 30 years. He also joined the Rock Valley College Foundation in 2011 and has served on the Foundation’s Executive Committee for the last four years. Brent was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2011.
Rock Valley College has been a bit of a family affair for Brent. His father, Dick Bernardi, worked at the college for 28 years, including in the position of Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences for 18 years. Dick was also the women’s tennis coach at RVC for 11 years (1990-2000).
Brent and his wife, Susie, have three children: Allison (Dallas, TX), Emily (Peoria, IL), and Adam (UIC Med School).
On his induction into the RVC Athletics Hall of Fame, Brent stated, “Rock Valley College has been in my blood for over 50 years. I was fortunate to attend and graduate from RVC and to be part of the culture of learning and competing. I had the opportunity to be coached by Steve Vee, whom I grew up playing tennis with and against, and then to be able to compete on his team was a great experience. Coach Vee created a positive environment in both winning and losing experiences. My time at RVC prepared me educationally as well as competitively for Bradley University and more importantly for the rest of my life. What the professors and coaches at RVC taught me I have taken forward into my professional life and have been blessed to have had a great career and life opportunities. After Coach Vee finished with me, my new “lifetime” coach, Miss Susie, took over and has been at my side leading me through the many wins and losses of our lives. I am the person I am because of the coaches in my life, past and present. Thank you to Coach Vee and to Susie for helping me to be who I am and for helping me always strive to be the best I can be in all that I endeavor to pursue.”
