The Bridge Marketing story begins in the pioneering days of the electronics industry- back to 1931 when Michael Onken’s grandfather, Victor Zachariah (aka “Mr. Zack”) borrowed $2000 to set up shop as Zack Radio Supply, an electronics distributor, on historic Market Street in San Francisco. That loan is inconceivable today, as 1931 was the height of the great depression. Unemployment was north of 16 percent, a gallon of gas cost $0.11 and a new car averaged $640. The Empire State Building was just completed and the first major radio transmitter was placed atop that landmark.
Zack Electronics (later renamed) went on to have year-over-year sales growth for 56 consecutive years, except for one of the WWII years. Zack expanded to five locations with over 100 employees. Most of the sales growth records were established under Don Onken’s watch, when he joined in the mid-1960’s and managed day-to-day operations until Zack sold in 1986.
In 1987, Don was anxious to remain in the electronics industry, and acquired a rep firm from a friend and long-time colleague, Mr. Ray Del Bucchia. Ray began his firm in 1959. Therefore, through succession, 2009 marks Bridge’s 50th year in business. Together they enjoyed much success until Ray’s retirement in the mid-1990’s. Don later acquired two other rep firms, later renaming to Bridge Marketing, as a professional, ethical firm with a prestigious list of manufacturers represented.
Michael Onken grew up in the electronics industry, spending New Year’s Days as a young boy atop a ladder at Zack Electronics counting and reading off inventories to the clipboard holding employees below. Upon graduation from University of the Pacific in 1989, Michael went on to law school at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Michael was the youngest graduate in his class of 1992. Michael preferred the sales environment to law, and went on to spend most of the 1990’s in investment management for the Private Client Departments at Montgomery Securities, and later Bear Stearns.
Michael was a partner in a team that boasted numerous billionaire and celebrity clients, holding $5 billion in assets under management, and actively managing over $300 million. Michael’s sophisticated client base required much more than what a traditional securities firm in the 1990’s could offer at that time, so he looked for his next challenge.
That day arrived when Don mentioned at a family dinner he was looking to expand, and ideally, find a successor. Michael decided to join Bridge Marketing in 1999. Sales were easy in 1999, and it was the crash of 2001 that finally tested Michael’s sales abilities. Together, Michael and Don continued to build on Bridge’s successes, adding important lines such as Carling Technologies and Knowles Acoustics.
Sue Hourigan joined the Bridge team in 2002. Sue was co-owner of Wright Associates, and was looking to expand sales coverage. Merging with Bridge was a natural fit for all. Sue eventually moved to Reno in 2006, providing 100% coverage for her Nevada customers, whom she had been calling on for over a decade.
As President of the Northern California Chapter of ERA, Michael established a friendship with the folks at Electro-Sales Associates, another leader in the industry. With no competing lines on their respective line cards, they joked about merging “someday”. That became a reality in 2009 when Brad Bowman, Sandy Smith, and Paul Halek joined Bridge, doubling its field sales force to six salespeople.
Brad Bowman, a fourth-generation San Jose native, became a rep in 1999, and quickly rose as a rainmaker for Electro-Sales, later becoming co-owner. He became a Certified Professional Manufacturer’s Representative (CPMR) and has served as President of our Northern California Chapter of ERA.
Sandy Smith was introduced to the electronics industry through finance, after graduating from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. Quickly she realized the real career opportunities were in sales, not behind a desk. She began a long and productive career as salesperson for a contract manufacturer, then joined Electro-Sales in sales in 2004. Also a fast-riser in that rep firm, she became co-owner of Electro-Sales in 2007.
Paul Halek enjoyed a 12 year career in electronic distribution as Product Manager at Arrow Electronics. He has since worked directly for manufacturers, holding titles of National Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager, and National Distribution Manager for such companies as NEC and Fujitsu. Paul completed the career track circle by joining Electro-Sales as a rep in 2003, and Bridge in 2009.
Rick Schow joined Bridge in 2010 as our newest field sales professional. Previously, Rick enjoyed success in that same role for a Silicon Valley distributor, a leading rep firm, and a leading component manufacturer.
Bridge Marketing and its employees are proud to invest time and money
into these worthy community causes.
Bridge also has a matching program in place.
American Cancer Society
The Arc of San Francisco
Casa de las Madres
Catholic Relief Services
City Team Ministries
Disabled American Veterans
Electronic Representatives Association, Chicago
Electronic Representatives Association, Northern California
Firefighters Toys For Tots
Giants Community Fund
Goodwill International
Holy Family Day Home
Jewish Community Center, San Francisco
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Little Sisters of the Poor
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Ocean of Love
The Olympic Club Foundation
Plainville High School
Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity
San Francisco Giants Community Fund
San Mateo County Police & Sheriff’s Association
Santa Clara County Crisis Program Foundation
St. Ignatius College Preparatory Scholarship Fund
St. Stephen Catholic Parish
St. Stephen School
Stanford Children’s Hospital
Susan G. Komen Foundation
University of San Francisco Scholarship Fund
University of San Francisco, Graduate School of Business
University of the Pacific
University of California, Berkeley
Warriors Foundation