ADD Systems founder remembered

Bott

Bruce A. Bott, founder of ADD Systems (Advanced Digital Data Inc.), died Feb. 2 at the age of 81.

A graduate of Lehigh University, Bott studied civil engineering and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. While attending college, he worked as an oil delivery driver at Dixon Energy in Boonton, New Jersey.

Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he worked at Rust Engineering in Georgetown, South Carolina. After graduating with his master’s, he took a position at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, followed by a job with General Electric in New York City.

Soon after, he returned to New Jersey to pursue a business. Bott partnered with Bill Dixon of Dixon Energy to create ADD Systems, a fuel management software that automated the process of predicting fuel deliveries.

Bott’s son, Bruce C. Bott, has been the president since 2010.

“Dad will be missed at home and at work,” says Bruce C. Bott. “I trust that he’ll continue to give me the guidance from above needed to carry on his legacy of this wonderful company.”

Rob Culbertson, senior vice president and COO, will continue to focus on the company’s commitment to innovation.

“Bruce was an amazing man. He was the epitome of an entrepreneur, focused on his customers, his employees and products,” Culbertson says. “His vision and enthusiasm were unmatched. Bruce’s leadership of ADD Systems was one of his greatest accomplishments. We will all miss him.”

Bruce A. Bott (Photo courtesy of ADD Systems)

ADD Systems grew organically for 24 years before three acquisitions:

• 1997: The petroleum division of STS, located in Montreal, Quebec.
• 1999: The petroleum software division of EDS (formerly known as PSS), based in Orlando, Florida.
• 2005: The petroleum division of Versyss in Providence, Rhode Island.

ADD Systems has continued to grow and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. It now serves more than 500 clients and has more than 150 employees in the U.S. and Canada.

Read Bott’s full obituary here.