Meet Larry Borodkin
Tell us a little about yourself and your role at PRADCO.
Hi! My name is Dr. Larry Borodkin and I am the Director of Client Development at PRADCO. I have 15 years’ experience at PRADCO and in the past served as a Human Resources Director for a large Cleveland-based non-profit organization. In my role at PRADCO, I strive to build relationships with new clients as well as deepen the relationships we have with our current customers. I also have the privilege of heading up the work with our municipal and safety force clients. I am very proud that PRADCO works with over 100 departments in the areas of selection and training. We are able to provide a valuable service to those organizations that protect the welfare of our local communities. It is always great to hear the phone ring when a local municipal official wants PRADCO to assess a firefighter/paramedic, police officer, dispatcher, sergeant, lieutenant, etc. I also have the opportunity to work with many of the non-profit CEO’s and Board Chairs in town when they need to select new leadership or develop the skills of their current staff. We all know and appreciate the important role the non-profits play in Cleveland and we take pride is assisting them in their work.
What do you like best about your job?
I gain the greatest pleasure on the job from the relationships that I build with PRADCO’s clients. To know that we are adding value to their testing and training efforts means a great deal to me. I have known some clients for 15 years and the trust that is placed in our professional judgment and expertise is very strong. When a client calls in with a specific issue or challenge, it is very satisfying to know that they look to us to provide a well-thought-out solution. Also, even though we may not always think about it, when we recommend people for specific positions, we are providing them with opportunities for greater professional success.
Tell us something about yourself that even your co-workers don’t know.
I do not believe that any of my colleagues know that I was an avid comic book collector. From before grade school through graduate school, I collected both new and vintage comics. Any special editions I purchased would be sealed in plastic to ensure that they would be preserved. Maybe that is where my interest in the safety forces came from! In my youth, who were the individuals committed to the protection and well-being of society? Batman, Green Arrow, Flash, etc. Of course, now I realize that it takes much more courage and determination to put oneself in dangerous situations when there are no super powers to rely upon. I believe these fictional stories helped teach me right from wrong at a very early age and did shape my thinking, to some extent.
What is your favorite travel destination?
Without a doubt, Las Vegas. My close friends and colleagues definitely know this to be true. I have been there eight times and have already made my reservations for this summer. In what other city can you see the Eiffel Tower, the Great Pyramid, a live volcano, dazzling water fountains and a pirate battle all on one street! Talk about efficiency! Also, one can never get enough of the wonderful Cirque De Soleil extravaganzas. It may be 110 degrees in August (when my family typically travels), but at least you never have to worry about rain!
What are you currently working on?
I am currently managing multiple municipal client promotional assessments. Each community has its own unique requirements and it is vital to recommend the right individual for the job. Also, given the upcoming change in command staff structure in many of our safety force clients, I am developing training modules to ensure future leaders have the skills necessary to succeed. More on this initiative in one of my next blog entries….
