Compass Series
Because every map needs a compass. In this series, we will deep dive with the minds behind EcoMap to break down how we do what we do and how it helps you grow and thrive.
Tommy Bradbury is an Account Executive at EcoMap, where he works with ecosystem leaders and economic developers to adopt the digital infrastructure their communities need. Before joining EcoMap, Tommy spent over two years at CivicPlus, a GovTech company, where he advanced from Sales Development Representative to Business Development Specialist and consistently exceeded quota across multiple product lines. He also co-founded Family Over Everything, a clothing brand he ran for nearly four years, leading go-to-market strategy, vendor partnerships, and operations. A graduate of East Carolina University with a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing, Tommy brings both GovTech sales experience and firsthand entrepreneurial perspective to his work at EcoMap.
In this conversation, he talks about how his experience as a founder shapes the way he works with ecosystem leaders, what he’s hearing from communities across the country, and what EcoMap’s culture looks like from the inside.
- You’ve spent years selling technology to government agencies. What patterns do you see in how public-sector teams evaluate and adopt new tools, and how does that shape the way you work with EcoMap’s customers?
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Public-sector teams typically evaluate new technology around budget cycles, stakeholder alignment, and proven ROI. These decisions take time, so I focus on building strong internal champions who can help communicate value to decision-makers. We can then tie value directly to organizational impact, which helps move past budget concerns. With EcoMap’s customers, that approach allows me to be more strategic and position the platform as a long-term investment in how their ecosystem operates, not just another tool.
- You ran your own business for nearly four years. When you’re talking with ecosystem leaders about how they support entrepreneurs, how does that firsthand experience inform those conversations?
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Running my own business showed me how scattered and hard to find resources can be for entrepreneurs and small businesses. I lived that experience, and I wish I had EcoMap’s solutions. So when I talk with ESO leaders now, I can speak to how organizations may not have a full view of what’s available to the people they’re trying to serve. I focus on how EcoMap can help centralize and streamline these resources, creating a one-stop shop that makes them more accessible to the entrepreneurs/small businesses they serve.
- You’re in conversations across the country every week. What are the most common challenges you’re hearing right now, and how are those shaping what people are looking for in their technology?
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The most common challenge I hear is about scaling the level of support organizations can provide to their communities. There’s a strong focus on finding ways to deliver more value to entrepreneurs and small businesses without stretching internal resources thin or spending time manually searching for information. Leaders are looking for technology that helps them centralize resources, give their ecosystems visibility, and proactively connect people to the right opportunities.
- Adopting new technology in lean, public-sector environments can be difficult. How do you help customers move from evaluating EcoMap to seeing real value from it?
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With lean teams, I have to understand their day-to-day realities. On the first call, my priority is figuring out if we’re a good fit and whether we can genuinely support them. That matters more than anything else. Over the next few conversations is where the value starts to build. I connect their daily challenges to how EcoMap can support the whole organization, from internal workflows to the community-facing work they’re doing. When people see that alignment, the decision becomes much easier.
- EcoMap works with everyone from ESOs to statewide agencies. What’s different about those conversations, and what stays the same?
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The scale changes, but the pain is often the same. ESOs are usually focused on serving entrepreneurs better day to day, while statewide agencies are trying to coordinate entire networks and demonstrate impact across a larger system. In both cases, EcoMap helps turn fragmented ecosystems into something centralized, usable, and measurable. The conversations feel different in scope, but the underlying need for better coordination and visibility comes up
- You work remotely at EcoMap. What’s the culture like, and how does the team stay connected when you’re spread across different places?
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The culture has been great. What stood out to me early on is that the team is always available if I need support, and it doesn’t matter who I reach out to. Everyone is willing to help, regardless of department or role.
We have a culture committee that organizes games and activities, which has been a fun way to meet and connect with people I don’t work with on a daily basis. That matters when you’re remote, because you can go weeks without crossing paths with someone on a different team.
Everyone is working hard, but the energy across the company feels strong. There’s a shared sense that we’re all moving toward the same goal. The team stays connected through things like the culture committee, Slack channels, and a general willingness to collaborate whenever someone needs something. It feels accessible and supportive, which makes a big difference when you’re not in the same office.
- When you think about the communities EcoMap serves and the ecosystem leaders you work with, what drives you in this work?
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As an entrepreneur, I think about this personally. If I had lived in a community that used EcoMap, my business would have had a smoother path to getting the support I needed. That sticks with me. I also draw a lot of energy from the people I talk to every day. These are leaders who genuinely care about their communities and want to make things better for the entrepreneurs and small businesses around them. Getting to be part of that work is what keeps me motivated.