Business News
Heart attack claims popular INX Digital executive
Friday 28. August 2009 - "I dont know anyone Brad did business with that he wouldnt consider a friend. He made business fun."
The world of digital printing today is shocked and saddened by the news that Bradley S. (Brad) Kisner, President of INX Digital International Co., passed away suddenly last Saturday, August 22, after suffering a heart attack while visiting family in Santa Cruz, CA. He was 47.
Kisners name was synonymous with Triangle inks, from the founding of Triangle Digital LLC with his brother Ken, in 2002 through its evolution as a major component of INX Digitals multifaceted offerings. Kisner not only spearheaded the global growth of Triangle but in the process, he, Ken and their co-workers also elevated the term “third-party inks” to new, higher levels of quality, ink technology leadership and respect.
“All of us throughout the INX family extend heartfelt condolences to Brads immediate family and his brother Ken, along with his co-workers at Triangle facilities everywhere,” said Rick Clendenning, INX International President and CEO. “Brad was a dear friend, colleague and business partner who will be sorely missed more than words can describe. The industry has lost a great friend as well as a dynamic leader who worked tirelessly to advance digital printing worldwide.”
Perhaps Kisners greatest impact, however, was at home, both personally and professionally.
“Family was always more important to Brad than anything – first and foremost, his wife Jeanne and their three children, Kelsey, Jake and Haley,” observed Ken Kisner, INX Digitals Sr. VP, Chief Technology Officer, who has worked side-by-side with Brad since Day One. “But Brads definition of family went far beyond that. He felt the only work worth doing is work you enjoy, and you might as well surround yourself with people who feel the same way. He created a family with our group.
“Brad extended that attitude to our many clients all over the world; theyre part of this family. I dont know anyone he did business with that he wouldnt consider a friend. He made business fun.”
Kisner began working in manufacturing during his high school summers at Triangle Coatings, a paint company his father Ned still owns and operates. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in Environmental Sciences, he worked in that field for a few years. When he returned to Triangle Coatings, he led them in sales and marketing and learned more about the sign and billboard industry. When the industry went digital in the late 1980s, Brad led Triangle into manufacturing digital inks in 1988.
Through hard work and aggressive risk taking, Triangle Coatings digital branch succeeded. Since the division could support itself, it became Triangle Digital LLC in 2002. As the driving force behind Triangle Digital, Brad secured international distribution and developed worldwide recognition for the company.
In addition to his wife and children, Brad is survived by his parents, Ned and Diane, his sister Janet Kisner, and his brothers Ken and Mardy.
An international gathering is expected for a memorial service that is being planned for September 5 at the Soda Center at Saint Marys College in Moraga, CA.