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This episode of Discover Lafayette shines the light on Chris Rader, CEO of Rader Solutions. A local entrepreneur who is also known for his generous philanthropic endeavors throughout Acadiana, Chris shares his business insights on how to increase a business’ bottom line through technological innovation, the importance of getting things right the first time, and prioritizing family in the competing demands of work and home.
Chris founded Rader Solutions in June of 1998. His first two clients were in Houston and Los Angeles; while most companies start local and expand outward, Rader Solutions began on a national level and Chris learned quickly how to get the job done right the first time in Raders’ quest to provide quality service to clients far and wide.
Chris Rader’s goal has been for his customers to continue to improve their bottom line and meet their financial objectives through a balanced use of technology, education, and training.
Chris has worked on-site with over 500 building supply companies in 45 states. Today, Chris and his staff of 27 full-time employees manage Information Technology for over 175 companies; fast-growth energy, medical, and manufacturing-related companies anchored in South Louisiana and 65 regional building supply dealers based throughout the United States.
Chris’ educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems [1990] from Spring Hill College in Mobile and an Executive MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
Chris currently serves on the Board of Directors for Home Bank, Lafayette; Board of Trustees, Spring Hill College; Board of Directors, The Lester Group, a regional LBM dealer, Martinsville, Virginia; Board of Directors, United Way of Acadiana; Board of Directors, Petroleum Club of Lafayette; and a member of Lafayette General Medical Corporation Membership Corporation, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Most recently, Chris served as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Schools of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau; Board of Directors of Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic; and the Louisiana Innovation Council, focusing on bringing more than 38,000 annual jobs to Louisiana working with education and government, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Chris is also a 2012 graduate of Leadership Louisiana.
Chris Rader is an in-demand speaker who guides audiences on methods to focus on the bottom line and improve profitability, in particular through the use of technology. He also counsels clients on the importance of fraud prevention and important steps all businesses and individuals should take to secure their private data and financial information.
For more information on Rader Solutions, please visit www.radersolutions.com.
This article was updated in February 2019.