This month the spotlight shines on Brian. He is most likely a familiar face to those of you who frequented Royal Blend Cafes between 2000-2005 and Great Harvest Bakery in more recent years. An avid world traveler, Brian spent 2007/2008 traveling throughout Nepal, South America, NY, NY, and Denmark, intentionally in that order, to really experience the contrast between countries and cultures. Prior to this excursion, Brian traveled all over Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Brazil.

Since his return to Bend in 2008, Brian’s focus has been on developing a career as a Rangeland Conservationist. With a degree from Oregon State University in Natural Resources, Brian owns his own business, East Cascades Restoration, which helps create sustainable landscapes for generations to come. As a private contractor for the USDA and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Brian works directly with Central Oregon’s ranching community, providing free services to private landowners to help them restore and conserve their natural resources.

Another seasonal job that Brian juggles with working at thump, is instructing with Commute Options “Safe Routes to School” program. He describes this program as, “Driver’s Ed. 001″. He works with 5th-8th graders on skills ranging from proper helmet fitting, to hand signals and negotiating round-abouts, to being more aware of their surroundings for safe bicycle riding throughout the community. A bicycle commuter himself for the last 5 years, Brian was drawn to this job. He enjoys teaching kids not only about safe bike riding skills, but also about being physically active and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels to get around town. He appreciates that this job is a great service to the Bend community.

When asked what he hopes for his future, Brian shared that he hopes to balance his desire to travel with building his professional career as a resource conservationist. He didn’t mention that he wanted to visit Antarctica, the only remaining continent he’s yet to visit! Instead, he would like to spend time in Bolivia and Argentina. “And,” he added, “I’d like to have a family. That would be good!”