Employee Spotlight – Brandon Carter

This month’s employee spotlight is on the incomparable Brandon Carter. Brandon joined the Engage fi team one year ago after a friend of his and valued Engage fi team member Justine Bennett spoke highly of the culture and encouraged him to apply. We are so thankful she did (and so is Brandon)!

Brandon is an Industry Analyst. He has his hands full of data and acts as a bridge between several teams. He works closely with the Sales, Marketing, and Technology teams. Brandon fills a very specific niche on the team and is integral. His positive attitude is contagious, and he is known to be “always smiling.” Brandon is tenacious and tackles tasks by jumping in with both feet.  He is genuine, respectful, and has a great work ethic, always eager to assist on any project.

The oldest of nine, Brandon grew up in a small town in Tennessee. He attended a university in his home state, majoring in English Literature and Philosophy.  By the way, his awards for poetry and fiction writing helped pay tuition. He started his career in private jet sales as a research admin and rose to Vice President of Strategic Development.  There he helped corporations, governments, and celebrities buy and sell aircraft. After 10 years in aviation, he followed his colleague, Justine Bennett, to Engage fi bringing his expertise in research and contract negotiation.  Brandon now lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with his fiancé, Elyn, and their two daughters. Brandon enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons when not working and bakes the “best apple pie you’ve ever tasted” (will need to be verified, possibly at our next all-team meeting).

Want to know more about Brandon? Put down the dice, protect the healer, and read on!

Q & A with Brandon

Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?                                    A: Definitely the people!  We’ve got the best team, and I love how collaborative and passionate everyone is about helping our clients.

Q: What are some of your hobbies outside the office?                            A: My biggest hobby right now is Dungeons and Dragons. It’s a creative, social outlet with worldbuilding, collaborative storytelling, problem-solving, and acting.

Q: Is the glass half empty or half full?                                                          A: I practice having a half-full perspective.  I tend to believe there’s power in positive thinking.

Q: What is your favorite holiday?                                                                A: Christmas – I love snow, giving gifts, baking deserts, and time with family.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?                                                                  A: Late-night ice cream.  Out of the carton.

Q: Are you messy or organized?                                                                  A: Organized Chaos.  I know exactly where in the mess everything is.

Q: Do you have an office nickname?                                                        A: BC

Q: What book did you read last?                                                                A: I recently reread Neen James’ Attention Matrix.  Highly recommend.

Q: What is an ability you wish you had?                                                      A: Teleportation is the ultimate superpower, and I’ll die on that hill.

Q: What is your favorite thing or place in the city you live in?                A: There’s a forested park by a lake a few minutes from my house that has beautiful hiking trails.  Not many people know about it, so it’s quiet, and I almost always see interesting wildlife.

Q: What would the title of your autobiography be?                                A: Why Are You Reading This?

Q: Any advice for new hires?                                                                      A: Don’t ever hesitate to reach out to the team.  We’re a collaborative group that wants to connect.

Q: What chore do you hate?                                                                      A: Folding laundry.  It’s tedious, and I’m bad at it.

Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?                                                    A: I worked with several celebrities when I sold aircraft.  Ask me about it sometime over a drink.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?                                                  A: Someone quoted Stephen Covey, “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions,” when I took offense to an innocuous comment.  I took that to heart and have practiced assuming positive intent when in doubt.

Q: Describe Engage fi in 5 words or less:                                                    A: The best place to work.