John W. Brand

BSCE 1983
President
Butler, Fairman and Seufert Civil Engineers, Inc.

"Find a purpose with your career that is larger than self-interest and be a life-long learner."

John Brand grew up in Lafayette, Indiana and is a McCutcheon High School graduate. In his formative years, he enjoyed athletics and learning. Parental guidance led him to pursue engineering at Purdue University. Continued strong parental guidance during John’s  freshman year helped him pursue engineering for more than one year! Also crucial to his academic success were Civil Engineering Professors Bob Lee, Mark Bowman, Doug Sutton, and Ron Wukasch who encouraged and challenged John to aim high in his pursuits.

John admired his father’s success in starting his own business, Brand Electric, seeing first-hand the impact and influence business owners have. As a result, the civil engineering field’s opportunity to be a business owner — and the visible and practical ways the profession improved communities, along with its team approach in solving problems — greatly appealed to him.

Upon graduation with a BSCE in 1983, John began his professional career at Butler, Fairman and Seufert (BF&S) Civil Engineers in Indianapolis. He spent his first six years as a structural engineer. Career advancement opportunities brought him back to Purdue in 1989 for post-graduate courses in environmental engineering. In 1991, John became Vice President in charge of Water Resources. He became a Principal and Executive Vice President in 1996. In 1998, Brand became the fourth president in BF&S’s 61-year history. In addition to the role of President, John has direct oversight of the Business Development team. BF&S has grown to a team of 200 employees.

A career in civil engineering has fueled John’s love of working with others in a team environment. John has been involved in business and legislative advocacy through the American Council of Engineering Companies and believes it is important to inform and educate policy makers and the public on issues related to the engineering industry.

John and his wife, Carmel — who is a Purdue graduate as well — have resided in Lebanon, Indiana since 1984. They are parents of Clint, Carolyn, Justin, and Maria. John and Carmel are also proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren. No doubt there are future Boilermakers from the Brand family headed to West Lafayette.