2023 burlignton County Distinguished Citizen “Good Scout” Award

Recipient: Brad Denn

Bradley H. Denn Managing Partner

Padden Cooper LLC

While growing up in Burlington County, little did Brad realize that swimming in the cedar lakes, searching out snapping turtles in the bogs and biking through the storied trails of the Pinelands, he was establishing a firm foundation of character, joy of community and leadership in all areas of his life. When Brad was 10 years old a neighborhood buddy asked him to attend a Webelos meeting. This led to years of being mentored and learning how to mentor through Scouting, culminating in the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. With this foundation, Brad launched a career as a CPA, set up shop in his hometown of Medford and began a family.

Brad is now the Managing Partner of Padden Cooper, CPA in Medford, NJ. Established in 1985, Brad and his firm have been serving Burlington County and beyond with expertise, vision and care. They are experts in tax, financial and estate planning with emphasis on small business challenges, farms and farmland preservation. They service literally generations of families, ensuring their treasure remains nearest to their treasured. By living and working in Burlington County, Brad can volunteer in the community he loves so much. He serves on the Board for the Medford Business Association, is a retired elected member of the Town Council and former Deputy Mayor, a 20-year Board member of the Medford Memorial Community Center, a 10-year veteran of coaching soccer through MYAA, and an active member of his church, school and neighborhood communities. Brad can be seen picking up trash with the Scouts along Jackson Road, serving beer at Oktoberfest or donned in a period top hat welcoming all to Dicken’s Festival. Some highlights of his accomplishments include installing and dedicating the war memorials in Freedom Park, establishing the new library in Medford, and guiding the economic revitalization of Main Street Medford.

The highpoint of Brad’s community service occurred when his son, Luke, joined Scouts. Alongside Luke, he spent 8 years reliving his Scout experience by hiking, biking and swimming in the same lakes and trails he traversed as a Boy Scout. Brad became a mentor for the boys in the troop teaching them, among other things, National and Community Civic responsibility. He also shared in mentoring not less than 16 Eagle Scouts during that time. He was paying it forward just as his mentors from Troop 26 had done for him three decades prior. With Lee Bealuk as the Scout Leader Emeritus, Brad watched his son earn and achieve Eagle Scout, becoming the 93rd Eagle Scout of Medford’s Troop 20. It had all come full circle – the love of his community, the hard work, yet edifying experiences through Scouting and the investment in future generations of forming young men of character. Brad believes Scouting creates an environment which encompasses all aspects needed to form a good citizen. Interaction and respect of nature, leadership and respect of peers, courage and the respect of taking on and overcoming challenges. Experiencing the support of a healthy Scouting Troop is a microcosm of a healthy community in all other aspects of life –work, faith, family and beyond. By building up, encouraging, engaging and challenging our youth to take on responsibility, we give them the tools to pay it forward when their opportunity comes full circle.