--- title: "From the Desk of Brad Smart: Topgrading Saves Lives" description: Read how the former CEO of the American Heart Association, transformed the organization and influenced millions with Topgrading's support. image: https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Cass%20Wheeler%20(1).png --- [Go Back Up](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-topgrading-saves-lives#top) [Skip to Content](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-topgrading-saves-lives#body) [![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Logo%20-%20homepage.webp?width=339&height=68&name=Logo%20-%20homepage.webp)](https://topgrading.com/) Toggle Menu - [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance) - [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions) Toggle children for Solutions Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Solutions - [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring) - [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership) - [Organization Design](https://topgrading.com/organization) - [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity) - [Workshop](https://topgrading.com/topgradingworkshop) - [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm) - Insights Toggle children for Insights Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Insights - [Blog](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies) - [Podcast](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast) - [Books](https://topgrading.com/books) - [eGuide](https://topgrading.com/eguide) - [Schedule a Call](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/30-minute-meeting) - [Schedule a Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity) [Schedule a Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity) # From the Desk of Brad Smart: Topgrading Saves Lives [A Players](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/a-players) [AI](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/ai) [Mis-Hires](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/mis-hires) [HR](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/hr) [Hiring Success](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/hiring-success) [Verification](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/verification) [Resume](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/resume) [Hiring Challenges](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/hiring-challenges) [Hiring Methods](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/hiring-methods) [Resumes](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/resumes) [Strategy](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/strategy) [Thought Leadership](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/thought-leadership) [Topgrading](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/topgrading) [Topgrade](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/topgrade) [Webinar](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/tag/webinar) Jul 25, 2025, 6:04:27 PM [Brad Smart](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/author/brad-smart) % ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cass%20Wheeler%20(1).png?width=1000&name=Cass%20Wheeler%20(1).png) [mailto:?subject=From%20the%20Desk%20of%20Brad%20Smart%3A%20Topgrading%20Saves%20Lives&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.topgrading.com%2Fblog%2Ffrom-the-desk-of-brad-smart-topgrading-saves-lives](mailto:?subject=From%20the%20Desk%20of%20Brad%20Smart%3A%20Topgrading%20Saves%20Lives&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.topgrading.com%2Fblog%2Ffrom-the-desk-of-brad-smart-topgrading-saves-lives) Cass Wheeler, retired CEO of American Heart Association has, sadly, passed away. He completely transformed a struggling organization with 56 offices into a centralized force where, as CEO, he could drive real change. I’m proud to have rolled out Topgrading with Cass - we did a total reorganization. To jolt the organization into action, Cass set the goal of a 25% reduction in U.S. cardiovascular disease - and exceeded it ahead of schedule. [Click here](https://www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/remembering-cass-wheeler) to read Cass’ bio - it’s a fascinating read, what’s missing, however, is Cass’ profound influence on me - something that hits me once or twice a week. With sentimental tears in my eyes, I frequently recall how he introduced me to ... fast food. Huh? Yes. He told me that every couple of weeks he’d get his fast food fix at Burger King: a Junior combo, no mayo or cheese. Cass knew the exact calorie count; I forget the numbers, but his version of “Junior” had a fraction of the calories that are found in a BK #1 (Big Mac, Coke, Fries). I’m relaying this sort of as a joke - but he preached that message in speeches. No doubt about it - Cass Wheeler extended the lives of millions of Americans. We, at Topgrading, are proud to have helped! Topgrading can help you hire honest, high performers. [Contact us](https://share.hsforms.com/1LwWWJ3v1RxK57ZpNXI-9Lwclbe4).   Dr. Brad Smart is Founder and CEO of Topgrading, Inc. Topgrading is dedicated to helping companies of all sizes maximize the hiring of high performers. Topgrading assesses candidates for senior positions (where the costs of hiring mistakes are high) and trains all managers to create teams of almost all high performers. Brad has seven published books on hiring; the most recent three (the first, second, and third editions of Topgrading) were all best sellers. To learn more, download our [free eGuide.](https://topgrading.com/eguide) *Improve your hiring success with [Topgrading](https://topgrading.com/). Our proven hiring process will transform your selection methodology so that you get better hiring results across all industries, including hiring HR professionals.  Our*  *leadership and candidate* *assessment*  *tools will help you assess, hire, retain, and grow outstanding team members.* [Contact us](https://share.hsforms.com/1LwWWJ3v1RxK57ZpNXI-9Lwclbe4) *to learn more!* ## Brad Smart ## Ready to Transform your Business with Little Effort Using Brightlane? [Register Now](https://www.example.com) You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_944035388.jpeg?width=700&name=AdobeStock_944035388.jpeg) ### [From the Desk of Brad Smart: Why Economic Uncertainty Demands A Players - Not Warm Bodies](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-why-economic-uncertainty-demands-a-players-not-warm-bodies) ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_846337129.jpeg?width=700&name=AdobeStock_846337129.jpeg) ### [From the Desk of Brad Smart: How to Prevent Job Seekers From Conning You](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/resources/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-how-to-prevent-job-seekers-from-conning-you) ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_589722224.jpeg?width=700&name=AdobeStock_589722224.jpeg) ### [From the Desk of Brad Smart: HireVue vs. Topgrading to Limit Cheating: Topgrading Wins](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/resources/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-hirevue-vs.-topgrading-to-limit-cheating-topgrading-wins) Schedule a Call [Contact Us](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/andy-williams-schedule-a-call-meeting) ![logo-footer](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20(1).png?width=249&height=50&name=logo%20(1).png "logo-footer") - 100 S Saunders Rd Ste 150 Lake Forest, IL 60045 - (847) 244-5544 - [info@topgrading.com](mailto:info@topgrading.com) [Contact Us](https://share.hsforms.com/1LwWWJ3v1RxK57ZpNXI-9Lwclbe4) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ##### Quick Links - [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance) - [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions) - [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity) - [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm) - [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership) - [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring) - [Organizational Design](https://topgrading.com/organization) - [Topgrading in the AI Era Workshop](https://topgrading.com/foolproof-hiring) - [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies) ##### Website Policy - [Privacy Policy](https://topgrading.com/privacy-policy) - [Cookie Policy](https://topgrading.com/cookies-policy) ##### [Client Portal](https://client.topgrading.com/membership-login/) Test [Refer a Company](https://share.hsforms.com/140pKFt8pReaZH4Bp7SuHigclbe4) © 2026 Topgrading. All Right Reserved. - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Brad Smart", "url" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/author/brad-smart" }, "dateModified" : "2025-08-14T16:02:21.010Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-25T23:04:27.000Z", "headline" : "From the Desk of Brad Smart: Topgrading Saves Lives", "image" : [ "https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Cass%20Wheeler%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/blog/from-the-desk-of-brad-smart-topgrading-saves-lives", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Logos/Logo%20-%20homepage.webp" }, "name" : "Topgrading, Inc." } } ```