Leonard Jeger, CEO and co-founder of BrightBridge ABA, is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of navigating life with a child with special needs. His personal journey, filled with heartbreak and profound lessons, has shaped his unwavering commitment to improving the way families access and experience care for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Fifteen years ago, his firstborn son was born healthy but tragically contracted bacterial meningitis the day after his birth. This devastating illness left him with extreme special needs, both medically and mentally. After struggling with his condition for two and a half years, his son passed away.
In the wake of this loss, Leonard learned not only about the emotional toll of raising a child with special needs but also about the deeply frustrating systems families must navigate in their quest for care and support. The bureaucracy, red tape, and inefficiencies in the healthcare system were an additional burden for parents already facing incredibly difficult circumstances. Reflecting on his experience, Leonard shared with Autism Business News, “Having a special needs child is challenging enough; having to deal with bureaucracy and red tape… it just didn’t seem like the general special needs services community was really working on streamlining that.” These frustrations ignited a desire in him to do something different—to create a company that would offer families not only high-quality care but also a streamlined, more compassionate approach to service delivery.
This desire to make a difference led Leonard and his team to create BrightBridge ABA in January 2024. The company was founded with the aim of providing Applied Behavior Analysis services for children and other crucial services to children with autism and special needs, all while avoiding the common pitfalls of bureaucracy and inefficiency that often plague the system. Today, BrightBridge ABA is operating in its first market—the Triad metro area in North Carolina—where it is already making an impact on families in need of Applied Behavior Analysis services for children.
A Strong Team with Diverse Expertise
BrightBridge ABA was founded by three individuals with very different career backgrounds, all of whom brought unique strengths and perspectives to the table. Leonard, who had spent the last decade leading a religious education nonprofit, was drawn to the special needs space due to his personal experience and his deep understanding of the challenges families face. His brother, Steven Jeger, had spent years as the CEO of the family-owned company Physician Dialysis, which underwent a successful exit a few years ago. Meanwhile, Michael Feld, a longtime friend of Leonard’s, had founded and exited a fintech company.
Despite their differing professional histories, all three shared a commitment to making a meaningful impact in the special needs community. As Leonard explained, “Each of us brings something else to the table.” For him, the decision to start something in the special needs space was driven by his life experiences, while for his co-founders, it was about applying their business expertise to a mission-driven endeavor. Together, the three co-founders have combined their diverse backgrounds to create a company that offers not only the expertise necessary to navigate the business side of the healthcare industry but also a genuine passion for improving the lives of families with special needs children.
From the outset, the team decided to take a unique approach to building BrightBridge ABA, choosing to start from scratch rather than acquire an existing company. This de novo approach allowed them to shape the company’s culture and values from the ground up, ensuring that they could create the kind of organization they had always wished existed when they were navigating the system themselves.
Finding the Right Market and Maintaining Control
One of the most crucial decisions the founders made was selecting the Triad metro area in North Carolina as their first market. The decision was not taken lightly. They carefully weighed factors such as demand for services, payer rates for autism therapy (particularly Medicaid), and the local market’s potential for growth. They also considered other regions, including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida, but ultimately chose North Carolina for its more favorable payer rates and the balance of services needed.
“We knew that there would be some learning curves that would probably cost us money, and without that margin, it’s not going to be sustainable,” Leonard said. In other words, the co-founders knew that they needed a revenue margin that allowed for flexibility and the ability to navigate challenges as they arose. The Triad market was a smart choice because it allowed for growth while also offering the necessary financial flexibility to handle potential setbacks.
In terms of growth strategy, the company is focused on establishing in-home services as its foundation. By starting with in-home care, BrightBridge ABA can quickly create a presence in the community and provide much-needed Applied Behavior Analysis services for children directly to families. From there, the company plans to open physical clinics, further solidifying its foothold in the Triad area. The team plans to replicate this model in other states, with the goal of expanding BrightBridge ABA’s reach to new markets. By the end of the next year, Leonard hopes to see a BrightBridge ABA clinic open in the Triad metro area and in-home services operating in two other states. The long-term goal is to establish a presence in five states by the end of five years.
A Commitment to Values and Independence
Another key factor that sets BrightBridge ABA apart is its ownership structure. The co-founders have made the deliberate decision to retain full control of the company and have not brought in outside investors. This decision gives them the freedom to make decisions based on what is best for the company and the families they serve, rather than being beholden to the demands of investors or a board of directors.
“When you have to go back to a board of directors… there is a tremendous amount of pressure to make sure that you hit the metrics,” Leonard said. “There’s a gap between the heart of the company and bringing that over to the boardroom table. There is no gap here.” By keeping the ownership in the hands of the co-founders, BrightBridge ABA maintains its focus on its mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care without being forced to compromise on its values. This structure allows the company to prioritize the needs of families and the long-term sustainability of the business.
The co-founders are also heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Leonard serves as CEO, Steven as CFO, and Michael as COO. With just nine employees, the team is small but dedicated. This hands-on leadership allows the co-founders to stay closely connected to the company’s mission and the families they serve, ensuring that every decision is made with the core values of the company in mind.
A Bright Future Ahead
As BrightBridge ABA continues to grow and expand, the founders remain focused on creating a company that truly serves the needs of families with special needs children. Their goal is to build a sustainable, impactful organization that not only provides high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis services for children but also offers a streamlined, compassionate experience for families navigating the complexities of special needs care.
With plans for expansion into new states and a commitment to providing exceptional care, BrightBridge ABA is poised to become a leading provider of autism therapy and related services. Leonard and his co-founders are determined to ensure that their company remains focused on its mission, making decisions that prioritize the well-being of families and children with special needs. Their vision is clear, and with their personal experience, diverse expertise, and unwavering commitment to making a difference, the future of BrightBridge ABA looks incredibly bright.
