BRAD WRIEDT

FOUNDER & CEO

Brad Wriedt is a creative entrepreneur who has built a number of successful companies in Central Florida. As the founder and CEO of Blue Hippo, he is focused on ensuring that the right team and culture is in place to build incredible themed scenic experiences for clients throughout the United States.  

After spending a few years toying in the ranks of professional golfers, Brad began his business career over 20 years ago when he started a condominium management company in Kissimmee, Florida. He successfully sold that company in 2004 to start a publishing company focused on producing and distributing high-quality, custom magazines for community associations in the area. As publisher and lead designer, Brad led a team that created content and designed quarterly magazines for over 60 exclusive subdivisions throughout Central Florida. 

Out of his penchant for digital publication design rose the inspiration for his third company, BlueToad. BlueToad was launched in 2007 and has become one of the largest SaaS digital publishing platforms in the world (www.bluetoad.com). It is currently used by over 5,000 professional publisher customers. Through BlueToad, Brad has worked with some of the largest commercial magazine printers and publishing brands in the United States. Brad was also instrumental in architecting and designing BlueToad’s user interface and experience for customers to produce and distribute digital content to readers.

In 2016, Brad transitioned from CEO to Chairman of the Board at BlueToad in order to focus on his passion for woodworking and product design. This new business began with a focus on the golf and hospitality industries, creating custom wood and HDPE products for notable customers like Pinehurst Country Club, Bayhill, Reunion Resort, and Disney. Brad developed and patented three unique products along the way, which are currently being used at restaurants, hotels, and golf courses around the country. However, the company ultimately evolved into Blue Hippo, where it is now focused specifically on building themed experiences for the parks and entertainment industry. 

Brad’s final business, XPanda Foam, was recently launched out of the 60,000 square foot space adjoining Blue Hippo. XPanda Foam is a multi-industry supplier of high quality expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam products that include blocks and sheets, building products, architectural profiles, insulation and finishing, marine and flotation, roofing, spa covers, and more.   

Brad’s education includes a bachelors degree in Lighting Design and a minor in Electronics from Western Illinois University. In his spare time, Brad still enjoys playing golf and woodworking.