

Keith Granger has a picture in his office that shows what he wanted to be when he grew up. “We see these kinds of activities as ways people of all ages can put themselves aside for a while and think of someone else.” Granger “That’s what this is all about right now,” says Todd as he strokes his longish beard and points to similar facial hair on Tico. And the Jacquelyn Barham Challenge - named for their late mother - encourages community members, school-age kids and celebrities to raise funds for cancer-related causes by growing out their hair or beards. Lunch with a Purpose, the High Five Turkey Drive and the Battlefield Brawl are among the various volunteer and service activities that Todd oversees. I realized that I could add a different spin to the business through things I do.” “I followed in Tico’s footsteps, but I’m my own person. “I jumped right in when I got through playing for the NFL,” says Todd. Today, Tico serves on the operations side of Duckett Brothers, while Todd builds business and community ties through sales, marketing and philanthropy. He was a great high school athlete, I was more into college and Todd excelled as a pro.” “Tony, my older brother, did the same for me. “When you have a brother or sister, you want them to do better than you,” says Tico. Tico says that bringing Todd on board was simply an extension of the advice and opportunities that big brothers provide for younger kin. You have four quarters to execute what you want, and then you start the next season in the New Year.”
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“We know how to set goals and how to handle success and failure,” says Tico. “I found it in business, TJ in philanthropy.”īoth Ducketts agree that the experience of playing football at the highest level greatly contributed to their business savvy.

“We were both trying to find our own identities after playing football,” says Tico. Also an alumnus of Michigan State University football and the NFL, Todd brought his love of community engagement to the company, executing philanthropic causes, volunteerism and global service through his New World Flood organization. In 2009, Tico tapped the similar experience and expertise of his younger brother Todd and asked him to join the business.
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That experience, combined with the interpersonal skills and work ethic he picked up playing collegiate and professional football, propelled his business onto the Lansing area field. Tico launched the business based on expertise he acquired while working as a senior buyer for a local manufacturer. Started by Tico in 1998, the minority-owned firm serves municipalities, large insurance companies, several manufacturers and a variety of automotive suppliers. Tico and Todd co-own Duckett Brothers Distributing, a janitorial and industrial supply company on Lansing’s north end. That’s definitely preserved our relationship.” “We’re 11 years apart, and didn’t fight over cereal. “We’re definitely brothers, but we’re two different people,” says Tico Duckett of his brother Todd “TJ” Duckett. But when seated at the table, there’s a noticeable sibling chemistry that binds the two together. One wears a business suit, the other fashionable camo and a knit winter hat. While among many, Duckett Brothers Distributing and Granger stand out as two lineage-founded firms in greater Lansing. “Family-owned businesses tend to want to be in a community for the long haul and to be good to their employees.” “The impact on the community is tremendous both in terms of business and philanthropy,” says Ellie Frey, director of the Family Business Alliance in Grand Rapids, a Michigan-based organization that researches and provides information on family businesses (See more on page 20).
