Ep 123: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Jeff Brett P1 on hmTv

Ep 123: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Jeff Brett (Part 1) | hmTv

In this inspiring episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Jeff Brett, founder and CEO of King Quality, to explore a life shaped by hard work, service, and community. From his roots in Port Jefferson and his passion for wrestling to building one of the most respected home improvement companies in the country, Jeff shares how lessons from his father — a WWII Navy veteran — continue to guide his business and philanthropic mission.

Jeff reflects on his early days sweeping job sites, the values instilled in him through family and athletics, and how a mindset of “the harder I work, the luckier I get” became the foundation for both personal and professional success. With heartfelt stories of giving back, supporting veterans, and honoring history, this episode is a powerful tribute to blue-collar grit, small-town values, and the American spirit.

Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom, warmth, and purpose — and stay tuned for Part 2.

Transcript

Ep 123 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Jeff Brett (Part 1) | hmTv

[Opening Music]

Richard Acritelli:
Hello and thank you for joining me today. I’m your host, Rich Acritelli, and on this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity here on hmTv, I’m joined by a very special guest — Jeff Brett from King Quality. Jeff is someone whose story, work ethic, and sense of service are truly inspiring. Today, we’re diving into how one person’s values and upbringing can shape a business built on heart and purpose.

Jeff, thanks for being here.

Jeff Brett:
Thanks, Rich. I really appreciate the intro, and it’s great to be here.

Richard:
Let’s start from the beginning. Where did you grow up, and what were your interests as a kid?

Jeff:
I grew up in Port Jefferson — third generation there — and I still live in the area. As a kid, I was big into sports. My dad was in oil heating and air conditioning, but I leaned more toward wrestling and football. I wasn’t the biggest fan of school, but I loved the discipline and competition of sports. Wrestling was my main passion — I was captain of the team.

Richard:
Port Jeff is still a small town, but back then it really was the hub of the North Shore of Suffolk County. I bet you were skateboarding down Main Street, past Infant Jesus Church, hanging out at Pirates Cove…

Jeff:
Oh, absolutely. It was a different time. We’d skateboard right down Main Street — try that today and you’d get run over! Back then, five bucks in your pocket made you king for the day. I remember getting ice cream at David’s Cookies, going to Rami’s… It was a great place to grow up.

Richard:
And you mentioned your dad — a World War II vet — had a big influence on you.

Jeff:
Huge influence. He was always helping people. We didn’t have a lot, but on weekends, we’d go fix heaters or AC units for people in need, and he wouldn’t charge them. I’d tag along, and yeah — I got fed well! But more than that, I learned the value of service.

Richard:
That ethic clearly stuck with you. You mentioned wrestling — how did that shape your path?

Jeff:
It taught me everything. I got a scholarship to Ithaca College. My high school coach, Bob Armstrong, had a sign that said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” I still have that on my office wall today. Wrestling drilled discipline into me — just like practicing single-leg takedowns over and over, you apply that repetition and focus to life and business.

Richard:
You share that mindset with your employees?

Jeff:
All the time. That phrase is everywhere in our offices. We’ve grown nationally, and it’s still part of our culture — hard work leads to success.

Richard:
But your path wasn’t linear, right? You had a turning point in college?

Jeff:
I did. I injured my knee sophomore year, and while I was sitting on the mat, I realized maybe there was something else meant for me. I dropped out, moved to Vermont, and started working construction. I went from cleanup guy to manager. That was my real education. It helped me find my calling.

Richard:
So you return to Long Island, start in home improvement, and quickly rise to the top?

Jeff:
Yeah, I got a job in siding, windows, roofing. They said, “You’re great with people.” I didn’t think I could sell, but I realized I wasn’t really selling — I was connecting. I treated everyone like family. That’s what my dad did, and that’s what I carried forward.

Richard:
And in ’92, King Quality is born.

Jeff:
Yep, small office in Ronkonkoma. And by ’96, I’m giving seminars to contractors. I was only 26, but they called me “The Kid” because I was making waves in the industry. I just kept pushing forward with the idea that “the best is yet to come.”

Richard:
So what was the tipping point where you felt — wow, we’ve built something big?

Jeff:
Early 2000s, we were doing 20 jobs a day. It blew me away. By 2001, I looked around and couldn’t believe how far we’d come.

Richard:
That’s a tremendous leap. And it wasn’t just about business — your foundation of service shows through in your work today.

Jeff:
Absolutely. We’ve done roofs for veterans, historical sites, churches — including the spy ring site in Stony Brook where George Washington’s men met. That sense of purpose makes every project special.

Richard:
And it all traces back to family, right? Your grandfather in WWI, your dad in WWII, your uncle in Korea — that spirit of service runs deep.

Jeff:
It really does. My grandfather was mustard gassed in WWI, met my grandmother when she was singing for the USO at Port Jefferson Hospital. They fell in love and built a life rooted in community service. My dad helped out veterans, worked with the fire department, and always believed in giving without expecting.

Richard:
And now you’re paying that forward with King Quality Cares and other outreach?

Jeff:
Yes. We're expanding across the country — Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, New York — but wherever we go, the mission stays the same: How can we serve? How can we make our employees’ lives better? That’s the dream now — helping others fulfill theirs.

Richard:
Jeff, we’re going to continue this conversation in Part 2 — focusing more on King Quality’s national growth, your community work, and your message to the next generation. But for now, thank you for joining me here at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. Your story is a powerful reminder that success built on service and heart is the kind that truly lasts.

Jeff:
Thank you, Rich. It’s an honor.

[Closing Music]

Richard:
Stay tuned for Part 2 with Jeff Brett, only on The Fog of War and Humanity, right here on hmTv.