About Brian
Brian has been with Barton for over 27 years serving as a Senior Electrical Engineer at our York Office. He attended The Pennsylvania State University where he received his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering.
When asked what he likes most about the ESOP, he states, “The ESOP is a great opportunity for a younger employee to immediately be included as an integral part of the company. It also incorporates more staff into the daily operations of the company through the various committees that have been set up. It also provides an incentive for employee retention through the distribution of company stock shares.”
Tell us a little about your family/home life.
Married for 38 years, have 3 daughters and 1 precious grandson. My youngest daughter just got married at the beginning of May. After 17 years and raising our family in York, we moved across the river to Lancaster County 6 years ago to be closer to the children.
What’s your hometown?
Johnstown, PA.
What was your first job in engineering like?
My first full time job was here at Barton Associates and was much like an entry graduate designer position is here today. I designed basic electrical systems and created project specifications. I also reviewed shop drawings and answered RFI’s during construction. The difference was that there were no workstations or computers of any type when I first started. The electrical department got its first computer my second year and we put it on a mobile cart so all the designers and engineers could share it. It did basic load, short circuit and volt drop calculations, which was fantastic at the time. Drawings were hand drawn and lettered on mylar or vellum and changes were a timely thing, so we had to be really careful how we laid out a drawing.
What was the first job you got a physical paycheck?
Newspaper boy at age 12.
How long have you been with Barton?
My first stint with Barton was about 5-1/2 years after graduating. After a 10 year absence, I was recruited back in 2000 and have been here almost 23 years.
What does being part of an ESOP mean to you?
At this stage of my career, the benefits of being in an ESOP that are being promoted by the company have little impact on me. As a former leader and shareholder in the company, the goals of hard work to make a positive impact on the company are already instilled in me and I continue to operate with those goals in mind. The only difference is that the leadership has been transferred to the next generation.
What do you love most about your job?
Every project is unique. This job is definitely not a cookie cutter, assembly line type. We may use the same procedures or principles from project to project, but each one presents its own challenges and rewards. There is also pride at the end of a project because we have created something that did not exist before.
If I wasn’t an Engineer, I’d be?
Probably something in medicine, a doctor or radiologist.
What’s your favorite sport (professional, college, or other)?
Professional football, then NHL.
I’m seldom without?
A drink nearby (non-alcoholic or alcoholic, either one).
When I’m not at work I’m doing……
Work around the house (honey-do list), helping out my daughters at their homes, solving all sorts of puzzles.
Favorite pizza topping?
Sausage.
What’s on your “stranded on a desert island” playlist?
70’s and 80’s rock and anything Billy Joel.
What’s the one movie you can watch over and over again?
Hunt for Red October.
What’s on your bucket list?
Family vacations in Barbados and Aruba, trip to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti and an around the world cruise.
When I go to a cookout, I hope there’s __ to eat.
Burgers and baked beans.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving, there is a big meal with delicious food, the entire family is usually there, football is on all day and it’s the start of a long weekend.
Best book you’ve ever read??
The Bear and the Dragon, by Tom Clancy.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
I’ve told numerous young people in high school to pick a job/career doing something they love to do. I say this because it makes the work much easier, and there will be headaches that come with any job so it helps that you will be going back to something you love when the problem is over.