Wessler is excited to announce Ryan Brauen, P.E., as the subject of this month's Employee Spotlight! Ryan joined the Wessler team in 2004 and serves as a senior project manager and the manager of our Bluffton, Ohio office. He has more than 16 years of experience in the industry, including the planning, design, bidding, permitting and construction management of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater projects.
We asked Ryan some questions so we all can get to know him better. Congrats, Ryan!
What are your roles and responsibilities at Wessler? What were some previous jobs you held before coming to Wessler?
I share many responsibilities at Wessler, but most of my time is focused on managing and growing our Ohio business, serving as project manager/engineer on multiple water resource projects throughout Indiana and Ohio, serving as a mentor to our growing Ohio staff and supporting the company through various committees and responsibilities.
Prior to Wessler, I worked for a manufacturer of custom machining centers and assembly lines before deciding to return to college and complete my degree in civil engineering at Ohio Northern University.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
I particularly enjoy spending time with family and friends and traveling. Over the past few years, I’ve found a renewed interest in snow skiing and have been fortunate to travel to many great slopes.
What are some skills most people may not know you have?
For a period of time, I worked as a tool and die apprentice, focusing on all items regarding the machining and manufacturing of custom metal products. I also enjoy working on projects around the house and always have a home improvement project underway. While I enjoy the gratification of working with my hands and building something tangible, I am truly grateful to have made a career in the water industry serving my neighbors and the environment.
Where is the best place you have traveled to and why?
That’s a tough question! I have been fortunate to travel to so many great places in the world and have seen some of the world’s greatest wonders. That said, I have lately come to find a real appreciation of just being at the top of a mountain, taking in the views and enjoying the solitude that accompanies that time. I also enjoy visiting new cities.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have always had an interest in traveling to Asia and Africa. The culture of both places seems so amazing and I think it would be great to experience some places that are vastly different from the United States.
What would you do for a career if you did not become an engineer?
I’ve always enjoyed helping people and working with my hands, so the medical field – especially surgery – has always interested me. However, the idea of spending more than a decade in school was a deal-breaker. I also think the skilled trades (electrician, plumber, etc.) would have provided an enjoyable career.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Two things:
1) I would love to be able to play the guitar.
2) Fluently speak another language.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
From what I read, winning the lottery tends to be more of a burden than a reward, so I would consider how I could give away most of the winnings, save for my kids' college, maybe take that trip to Africa or Asia and then see what’s left.
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