Trained as a carpenter, Hickory Dickory Deck President, Brad Arnold ’02 continues to stay connected to Mohawk. 

Many young people don’t know where a career in the trades can lead. Arnold ’02, a graduate of the carpentry program and president of Hamilton, Ontario-based Hickory Dickory Decks, Canada’s largest deck company, certainly didn’t. It’s something he’s working to change. 

Born and raised in Hamilton, Arnold says he never even entered the tech wing of his high school. “We didn’t have people visiting the school to explain the possibilities of a career in the trades.” He spent two years studying engineering at McMaster University, “but it wasn’t for me.” While working in sales at a car dealership, Arnold met Tom Jacques, the owner of Hickory Dickory Decks. 

Arnold joined the company in March 1997 as it was positioning for growth. Hickory Dickory Decks sponsored his education at Mohawk College and his apprenticeship. “That program allowed me to become a Red Seal certified carpenter.” He is also a licensed designer and over the past 20 years has grown his career from sales, to building and designing decks, to training other carpenters, to vice president and, for the past two years, president. Today, he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, sales, managing a team of roughly 40 people, supporting approximately 30 franchisees and recruiting. 

Arnold has stayed connected to Mohawk in several ways. (Two of his four children are also alumni.) He recruits students from its carpentry, architectural technology and civil engineering programs and has participated in the college’s ongoing Industry Nights since their inception. Hickory Dickory Decks currently employs 15 Mohawk graduates at its head office and seven within its franchise network. “Recruiting is a difficult part of any business,” says Arnold. “Mohawk has a fantastic program. Its graduates are well educated, prepared and have a great attitude.” 

Mohawk Architectural Technology student Murray Thiessen recently completed a co-op term with Hickory Dickory Decks. “One day I want to have my own residential design business,” says Murray. “I’ve learned so much here that will help me in the future.” 

Arnold also returns to Mohawk and visits other Ontario colleges and high schools to share his story and provide insights about what a career in the trades can look like. 

“When I told my friends I was joining a deck company, they said things like, ’what are you going to do? Make picnic tables the rest of your life?’ I’m proof there are so many paths that can come from being a carpenter,” says Brad, including becoming president of a thriving company with more than 60 locations and plans to grow across Canada and the U.S. 

“When I was young, I didn’t have a chance to speak with someone in the trades who could open my eyes to what’s possible,” he says. “I want to show young people what’s possible.” 

By: Mary Teresa Bitti 

This story was originally published in Spring 2020 of the Mohawk Alumni In Touch magazine.