From the outside, Brad Lieber’s life today looks like the picture of success. A longtime Blackhawk resident, devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, respected entrepreneur, and now published author, Brad’s story feels grounded, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in family and community. But as he shares in his newly released memoir, Unconventional Success: The Brad Lieber Story, the road that led him here was anything but traditional.
Brad and his wife Janet have lived in Hidden Oaks at Blackhawk for more than three decades, raising their family, building friendships, and embracing a community that has truly become home. “We loved the location,” Brad says simply. “The quiet streets, the proximity to Blackhawk Country Club, and the people made it feel right.”
A Love Story That Started With a Leap of Faith
Brad and Janet’s story began in Los Angeles at a business networking dinner. Their first date followed soon after, and from there, everything moved quickly. “I knew immediately,” Brad says. “Janet is special and beautiful. We just hit it off, and to this day, we still do.”
Early on, however, their relationship was tested in a way many couples never experience. Brad had just started working on a commission-only basis. No projects had been funded, and no money was coming in. “I really cared for Janet, but I couldn’t afford to date her,” he shares. “I told her exactly where I was financially and suggested maybe we just be friends.” Janet’s response became one of the defining moments of their life together. “She offered
to lend me $1,000 for dating money,” Brad says with a laugh. “She actually made me sign a promissory note.” Brad paid her back shortly after by cashing in a small insurance policy his parents had given him, handing her the money, and ripping up the note. The gesture said everything. “It is a true love story,” he says. The two were married on January 16, 1988, in Beverly Hills, and have been partners ever since.
From a Pennsylvania Steel
Town to Blackhawk
Brad was born and raised in Monessen, Pennsylvania, a small steel town that shaped his grit and perspective early on. Janet was born in Detroit and grew up primarily in Los Angeles, with a short stop in Phoenix along the way. Brad’s educational journey didn’t follow the expected path. He attended Kent State University briefly but never earned a degree. In fact, as he openly shares, school was never a place where he felt he fit in. “I was a terrible
student,” Brad says. “I didn’t fit the standards of education as they’re defined.” What Brad did have was an instinct for people, opportunity, and business. In 1980, he moved to Southern California. By 1993, he purchased a company in Northern California and relocated his family to Blackhawk.
That company became Systems & Space, Inc., which Brad built and led for 35 years before selling it in 2022 to two longtime employees, one of whom was a former assistant golf professional at Blackhawk Country Club. Brad remains Founder and President Emeritus. He was also a partner in Rainbow Recovery Center in Sharon, Pennsylvania, which was sold in March 2025. “I found my true calling in business,” Brad says. “Not because of formal training, but because I learned by listening, evaluating, and implementing.”
Family at the Center of Everything
Today, Brad and Janet are the proud parents of two grown children. Their daughter Dana Morrissey lives in El Dorado Hills with her husband Shaun and their two young sons, Liam and Kaden. Their son Ryan lives in London, where he works in the tech industry. “Spending time with family and friends is our main goal now,” Brad says. “That’s most important to us.”
Family vacations have long been a Lieber tradition. Over the years, they’ve traveled to a Formula 1 race at Silverstone in London, Pebble Beach, Italy, Switzerland, Santa Barbara, multiple ocean cruises, Mexico, and Hawaii. Most recently, Brad and Janet enjoyed a two-week cruise through Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, and Turkey, taking in ancient Adriatic treasures together.
Their family motto reflects the values they’ve carried through every chapter of life: Help others whenever you can. Be kind and respectful to all.
Community, Connection, and Giving Back
Life in Blackhawk has offered Brad and Janet the balance they value. They enjoy golf and bocce with friends and appreciate the welcoming nature of the community. They also support causes close to their hearts, including the Monessen Public Library. Temple Beth Chaim and The Cancer Support Community. “All our neighbors have been very welcoming,” Brad says. “It’s a community that truly feels connected.” That sense of connection extends to Brad’s memoir, which is as much about relationships as it is about business success.
Unconventional Success
In Unconventional Success: The Brad Lieber Story, Brad tells the candid, often humorous story of how a rebellious student with no diploma, no business degree, and no interest in following the traditional playbook built a meaningful life and successful company. For Brad, dreaming was the first step in accomplishing his goals. Dream big; it’s free and can be very rewarding. From basement hangouts and failed report cards to furniture sales, cross-country moves, and building a respected company, Brad’s journey is deeply human and refreshingly honest. The book celebrates resilience, relationships, and the belief that success doesn’t come from following rules but from knowing yourself and having the courage to move forward. “I wanted to share the real story,” Brad says. “Not a polished version, but what actually happened.” The book is Brad’s way for future generations of his family to know his legacy and for his story to live on.
The Neighborhood
For the Liebers, Blackhawk isn’t just where they live. It’s where their story continues to unfold, grounded by family, shaped by community, and guided by a belief that success, like life, doesn’t have to be conventional to be meaningful.
By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010
Photos provided by Lieber Family and Kim Lind