W.C. Bradley Co., a privately held, family-owned provider of innovative, high-quality products and services in outdoor cooking, outdoor living and recreation, real estate development and land management, today announced that Christopher M. Ball has been named Chief Executive Officer. 

Mr. Ball has served as Chairman of the W.C. Bradley Co. Board of Directors since April 2023 and as interim CEO since the retirement of James G. Hillenbrand in October 2025. He will continue to serve as Chairman in addition to his new role as CEO.

A fifth-generation family member, Mr. Ball is the great-great-grandson of William Clark Bradley, who founded the company in 1885 in Columbus, Georgia. He brings more than 30 years of business leadership experience across a range of industries, including hospitality, marketing, investments, and manufacturing. 

“For more than 140 years, our family has been firmly committed to creating outstanding products that our customers love, providing a values-centered workplace, fostering a culture that puts people first, and strengthening the communities where we live and work,” said Ball. “I am proud to continue that legacy and honored to carry the banner as the next CEO of this amazing company. I follow in the footsteps of four previous generations of leaders who devoted themselves to laying the foundation on which we will continue to build. 

“The W.C. Bradley Co. has a very bright future, and our entire team is rededicating ourselves to ensuring our next chapter is as strong as those that came before. I look forward to all that we will do together in the years ahead,” Ball added.

Commenting on the announcement, Stephen T. “Steve” Butler, former Chairman of the Board and great-grandson of the founder, stated, “Christopher has proven himself to be an extremely bright, capable, articulate, hard-working, and committed leader as Chairman of the W.C. Bradley Co. He is a humble servant leader in the best tradition of our company, and, most importantly, has earned the trust of our management team, our team members, and our family. Christopher is ready to lead us as Chief Executive Officer at this important time in our history.”

William Bradley “Brad” Turner Jr., also a great-grandson of W.C. Bradley and former President of the company, added, “We are very fortunate to have a family member like Christopher with the character, energy and maturity to assume the role of CEO. As Chairman, Christopher has demonstrated excellent business insight and judgment in navigating the challenging environment our businesses have faced in recent years. He is dedicated to leading the company forward with an emphasis on excellent service, innovation, and quality in everything that it undertakes.”