The 1828 Project is one of our signature programs at IndyHub and each year it’s full of incredible leaders between the ages of 18 and 28. Brett is a part of 1828’s Class VI. We sent him some questions. He responded. Keep reading to learn more about him!
How do you spend your days?
I spend most of my work day at the City of Indianapolis coordinating public works projects with our inspectors and contractors. When I get home in the evening, I play with my daughter, Ellie, and spend time with her while we cook dinner together. I also usually try to catch Cubs games in summer and IU basketball games in the winter.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Kentland, Indiana. It’s a very small and rural farming town. Visiting my family farm is a wonderful escape when I need to get away from the city for a while.
Where is your favorite spot to go in Indy?
I love taking my daughter to Broad Ripple Park and then for a walk on the Monon.
How do you typically travel around the city?
I still travel most places by car. I live near 62nd and Allisonville, which isn’t the most convenient place for public transportation. Plus, it’s a long commute to work by bike.
If you could have coffee with anyone, living or not, who would it be and why? (Bonus points for which Indy coffee joint you’d take them to!)
I frequently have coffee with my mom at Just Judy’s at 62nd and Binford when she’s in town for the weekend. I cherish the times we just get to sit and talk and not worry about anything else. In the true spirit of the question, I’ll say Paul McCartney at Calvin Fletcher’s. He wrote music during a time of massive cultural change and used his influence to change R&B and rock n’ roll forever.
Thinking forward to the next 5 years in Indy, what are you most excited about for the future?
The expansion of public transit and the redevelopment of communities. The development of the Monon Trail showed the kind of power public facilities have to create growth in the areas surrounding them, I’m confident that the establishment of the Red Line will help the areas surrounding it do the same.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?
Assuming that my payout would be $15 mil or more, I would take half of that money and place it in a trust or other safe investment to assure that my children and their children reap the benefits of my incredible luck. I’d probably buy an extravagant RV (google “Will Smith RV” to get a feel for what I’m referring to) and hire a chauffeur to drive me to wherever I decided I wanted to go in North America. I’d also spend a few years renting apartments in various cities throughout Europe.
Are you reading anything interesting right now, what book?
I just finished reading “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw. It gives an amazing profile of the kind of people that protected America at home and abroad during World War II.
Would you rather visit the world 100 years in the past or 100 in the future and why?
Not that I like the idea of war in the slightest bit, but I feel like it would be very interesting to be in America during a time where we had to decide whether or not to involve ourselves in World War I. The economic and social landscape were also changing significantly as we approached the Roaring 20’s. It may not have been fun to live during a time surrounded by so much conflict but I think it would be amazing to have been a fly on the wall.
