Michael Brandes joins the Schaefer team from Raleigh, North Carolina.

1. Favorite sports and teams?

Boston Red Sox, all things Notre Dame but mostly football, and the New England Patriots.

2. Favorite thing to do off the clock?

Sit on a beach, preferably with a cocktail listening to the Boston Red Sox on the radio.

3. What’s on your bucket list?

Attend a baseball game at every major league park. I am only at 4, so it’ll take a while!

4. Most prized possession/what you couldn’t live without (outside of family and friends)?

I’d have to say the thing I’d be the most upset to lose is my dad’s old turntable and receiver. My wife and I enjoy putting a record on and just talking about our day without the distraction of electronics/streaming services!

5. Meet my family.

My wife, Rachel, is a family medicine physician at UNC-Health. We don’t have any kids, but we have a cat named Nutmeg.

6. If you weren’t in this profession, what would you be?

See skill I wish I had, but if I had any musical talent, I think I would go back and be a recording engineer for a studio. I find the production behind music super interesting, but I unfortunately don’t have the natural abilities!

7. What is a skill that you don’t have, but wish you did?

I wish I had an ounce of musical talent.

8. Why you chose to work/live in this city?

The triangle area of North Carolina has great healthcare systems and is rapidly growing, which is great for both my career and my wife’s. It’s also centrally located to the beach and the mountains – a quick 2-hour drive can get you to both for a nice long weekend trip! Winters here are nice and mild, and that far outweighs the humidity of May-September.

9. If you could design a structure anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Wherever I am living! Getting to see how a project impacts my community is what keeps me motivated in my job!

10. What market/material is your specialty and why?

Healthcare and higher education are the two areas I have the most experience. I thoroughly enjoy those projects because they have lasting impacts on people’s lives.