The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: S. Bradley Kitchens

Brad Kitchens is president and CEO of ScottMadden, Inc. With more than 25 years of business and consulting experience, he has worked extensively in the energy sector on strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, operations improvement, business planning, reorganizations, and outsourcing. Brad routinely works with energy organizations' executive teams and boards of directors. He is a frequent speaker to energy leadership and at energy conferences. Prior to ScottMadden, Brad consulted with Deloitte & Touche specializing in its capital markets practice. He also spent several years in the oil and gas industry. He received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, where he graduated with top honors and was recognized as a Fuqua Scholar.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

"Certainly, earning the right to lead ScottMadden as CEO. This happened when I was in my 30's. I was hardly prepared, but I took the role and put my heart and soul into every issue and every challenge. I couldn't be prouder of the firm and what we've accomplished over the past 20+ years."

What advice would you give to a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

"Discipline. Consulting can be a long and challenging career unless you instill discipline into your daily/weekly routine. Discipline in the consulting craft. Discipline with your time and energy. Discipline with your health and welfare. Most importantly, discipline with your work-life balance."

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

"Variety and challenge. Every day is different. Every project. Every topic, situation or problem. Every client and project team. Every location and time frame. You grow or go in the consulting profession."

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

"Don't let others define your happiness or your success. Similarly, don't let others manage your career. It's your life, it's your career…own it."

What does being honored as a Top 25 Consultant mean to you?

"This is an enormous honor because it allows me to showcase ScottMadden. ScottMadden has a deep passion for and understanding of the energy industry, and I believe we're one of the best energy management consultant firms in the world. To be able to spotlight our firm gives me tremendous satisfaction."