Bruce Zoldan is a prominent American business leader best known as the founder, President, CEO, and Board Chairman of the B.J. Allan Company, the parent of Phantom Fireworks, one of the largest consumer fireworks importers and retailers in the United States. Under his leadership, Phantom Fireworks has become a nationally recognized brand in the pyrotechnics industry with extensive retail and seasonal operations.
Zoldan also holds co-ownership in the Youngstown Phantoms hockey franchise and engages in notable philanthropic efforts, including substantial community donations. His influence on both regional business and fireworks culture underscores his significance beyond traditional corporate roles.
Early Life
Bruce Zoldan was born and raised in the Youngstown, Ohio area. He grew up in a Jewish immigrant family – his parents came from Russia and Austria-Hungary – and was raised in a Conservative Jewish household. He was the eldest of five children, and his family lived on Youngstown’s south side in modest circumstances. Zoldan’s father worked as a traveling salesman, and the family’s background was largely working-class.
Zoldan attended Boardman High School and later studied at Youngstown State University. In his teens he showed an early interest in fireworks: at age 15 his father bought a supply of fireworks from Pennsylvania, and Zoldan sold them to his friends. He later recalled, “I actually sold the fireworks my dad brought home” and used the proceeds to buy more fireworks. These early ventures reflect an enterprising spirit during his youth.
Bruce Zoldan: Net Worth & Key Facts
| Key Fact | Verified & User-Relevant Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | Estimated at $100M–$500M. |
| Primary Source of Wealth | Founder of Phantom Fireworks. |
| Annual Company Revenue | About $145–150M annually. |
| Current Position | President, CEO, Chairman. |
| Industry Leadership | Led APA three times. |
| Major Business Asset | 400,000 sq ft warehouse. |
| 2026 Business Focus | Preparing for U.S. 250th anniversary. |
| Sports Ownership | Co-owns Youngstown Phantoms. |
| Investment Record | Partner in Team Valor. |
| Philanthropy | Active community donor. |
Professional Beginnings
Bruce Zoldan began his fireworks career in the early 1970s. Working as a retail salesman in Ohio, he responded to customer demand by adding a small line of consumer fireworks to his offerings.
After arranging his first import of fireworks from China, Zoldan formalized the venture and in 1977 established B.J. Alan Company, which did business as Phantom Fireworks.
This marked the foundation of Phantom Fireworks under Zoldan’s leadership, transforming his initial part-time fireworks sales into a formal business entity.
Role Progression & Industry Contributions
Under Zoldan’s leadership as President and CEO, Phantom Fireworks expanded from a local supplier into a national fireworks enterprise.
The company opened dozens of permanent showrooms and deployed thousands of seasonal stands across multiple states to meet high holiday demand.
Early on, Zoldan acquired an Ohio sparkler factory in 1985 and established Diamond Sparkler Manufacturing, giving Phantom a unique domestic manufacturing base for fireworks components.
He also focused on product development and branding, introducing private-label fireworks under names like Phantom® and Wolfpack® to strengthen the company’s market position.
Beyond running Phantom Fireworks, Zoldan took on leadership roles within the industry itself.
He served three terms as President of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), including terms in 1996 and 2000, where he worked to advance safety standards and regulatory compliance.
In these roles, he emphasized rigorous product testing and helped coordinate with agencies like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Zoldan also held leadership positions in state pyrotechnic associations (such as a past presidency of the Ohio State Pyrotechnics Association) and served on national fireworks safety and technical committees.
These efforts helped shape industry practices and led to more rigorous safety protocols nationwide.
Notable Career Milestones
Key milestones punctuate Zoldan’s career trajectory. In 1991 he led Phantom Fireworks into the California market, opening a major warehouse in Modesto and regional offices throughout the state.
Over the next decades the company continued to grow its footprint nationwide. In 2016 Zoldan oversaw a comprehensive corporate restructuring of B.J. Alan Company and its affiliates to streamline operations.
Zoldan’s entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond fireworks. In 2009 he co-founded the Youngstown Phantoms junior ice hockey team (a Tier 1 USHL franchise) and remains a co-owner of the team.
He also invested in thoroughbred horse racing as a partner in Team Valor, a racing syndicate whose horse Animal Kingdom won the 2011 Kentucky Derby and the 2013 Dubai World Cup.
These ventures reflect his broader interests in sports and entertainment. Throughout his career, Zoldan has received numerous awards recognizing his business success and community impact.
Honors include the American Pyrotechnics Association’s prestigious Dropo Award (2004) and the International Fireworks Association’s Litian Medal (2011) for outstanding fireworks entrepreneurship.
He has also been honored locally, for example with the Mahoning Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award (2006) and being named Entrepreneur of the Year by Venture Magazine (1987).
Current Position & Ongoing Initiatives
As of 2025, Bruce Zoldan remains President, CEO, and Board Chairman of Phantom Fireworks. Under his direction the company maintains a nationwide network of retail locations and seasonal sales sites. Phantom now operates on the order of 95 to 100 permanent showrooms across the U.S., supplemented by thousands of temporary stands during peak holiday seasons.
A key asset under his oversight is Phantom’s massive Warren, Ohio distribution center, a 400,000 square foot facility that is the largest single fireworks warehouse in the country, handling the company’s logistics and inventory.
In recent statements Zoldan confirmed that Phantom saw a strong sales surge in 2025, with retail sales up roughly 10 to 15 percent over the prior year.
He said the company is stockpiling inventory in preparation for America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations in 2026, anticipating record demand for fireworks.
At the same time, Zoldan is working with legislators and industry groups on issues like import tariffs and trade regulations to help ensure a stable fireworks supply.
He continues to engage in local business and community initiatives in the Youngstown area, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the region.
These current activities illustrate Zoldan’s focus on sustaining Phantom’s market leadership and navigating challenges as he moves the company into its next phase of growth.
Bruce Zoldan Net Worth
As of 2026, Bruce Zoldan’s net worth is estimated to be between $100 million and $500 million. Major business publications like Forbes and Bloomberg have not published a figure for him, so available estimates come from entertainment and finance sites and industry analysts.
Zoldan built his fortune as founder and CEO of Phantom Fireworks (B.J. Alan Company), which now has roughly $145–150 million in annual sales and is the nation’s largest consumer fireworks retailer. He earned his wealth mainly through growing this family fireworks business, with additional income from related ventures such as sports teams and horse racing investments.
