Name: Brittany Buffum A.K.A Puppy Mom

DBR Title: Marketing Coordinator

Office: Austin, Texas

Hometown: Baytown, Texas

“Oh, I am definitely that person who shows people too many pictures of their dog! I’ll pull out my phone and say things like, “here she is on her first walk”. How embarrassing, I know! We have a dog park bar by our house, which is Zoey’s favorite place to go and mine too. She’s always down for hiking the Greenbelt, splashing in puddles, and watching Texas A&M Football!”

Before working at DBR, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I was an Assistant Buyer for Academy Sports & Outdoors in the glamorous Work Boots department.

Best vacation you’ve been on?
La Jolla, California

If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Free beer?

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Amy Schumer

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chips & Queso, it’s a terrible addiction.

What is your least favorite food?
There are a lot – I’m the pickiest eater in the world. I don’t like chocolate, milk, or 1,230,580 other normal things.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I play golf.

What did you want to be when growing up?
Obviously, Britney Spears.

What is the first concert you attended?
Destiny’s Child, holllaaaa.

What is on your bucket list?
Travel to Greece!

What is your favorite thing to do in Austin?
Austin is truly the best and there is so much to do – right now we are doing the Texas Monthly “50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas” Tour… we still have 45 more BBQ places to visit….

Name: Anthony Jaspal A.K.A Volunteer Firefighter

DBR Title: Practice Area Leader, Plumbing Design

Office: Houston, Texas

Hometown: Houston, Texas

“In my free time I enjoy serving my community and assisting others in my capacity as a volunteer firefighter with Station 3 of the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department, the largest volunteer fire department in the United States.”

Before working at DBR, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
My most unusual job was working in a factory which produced the fruit filling for pop-tarts.

Best vacation you’ve been on?
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

How do you define success?
Happiness in life.

If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Karbach Hopadillo

How did you get started with your activity/hobby? What do you enjoy about this activity?
I wandered into the station almost 6 years ago out of curiosity and looking for something more. I enjoy helping others, the camaraderie, and the excitement of challenging calls.

What is your favorite quote?
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” -Vince Lombardi

Name: Kellie Darbonne A.K.A CrossFit Junkie

DBR Title: Sustainability Project Coordinator

Office: Houston, Texas

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

“CrossFit helps me to put my daily life in perspective. It is SO much more than just getting in a good workout! It is humbling. Outside of the gym, it is a constant reminder to keep working at your goals and, with hard work and consistency, they will happen.”

Best vacation you’ve been on?
I’ve been to Hawaii twice in the last two years. The hiking and outdoor activities there are just phenomenal. Not to mention the beaches!

If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
St. Arnold’s Bishops Barrel #2: Old Ale aged in Chardonnay Barrels with Cherries.

What is your favorite quote?
“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” – Maurice Setter
(Positive thinking isn’t about expecting the best to always happen, but accepting that whatever happens is the best for the moment. So keep smiling and keep following your heart.)

What is your least favorite food?
It’s definitely a tie between olives and oysters.

What did you want to be when growing up?
A meteorologist. It’s my passion! They say people are most afraid of what they don’t understand. Growing up being terrified of violent weather just fueled my desire to learn more about how it all works. I even studied Atmospheric Science half the time I was in college.

What is the first concert you attended?
Blake Shelton. I hated country music growing up, but I love it now!

Name: Jeffery Dierschke A.K.A Fish Tamer

DBR Title: Senior Plumbing Designer

Office: Houston, Texas

Hometown: Shiner, Texas

“I started fishing with my Dad at a young age and never seemed to lose the enthusiasm. It’s an indescribable feeling when you get that thump on the end of your fishing line, not knowing what kind of fish it may be, and whether it will be that trophy you’ve been waiting for. I always seem to look forward to scheduling my next trip when I have free time or going on spur of the moment trips. Whether I am alone or with a group of buddies, fishing allows me to have a sense of ease, peace of mind and it relieves stress.”

What is the first concert you attended?
Def Leppard

What is your least favorite food?
Artichokes

What is you favorite sport? Favorite team?
Football – Houston Texans

What is on your bucket list?
To visit Los Cabos.

What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
A place at the beach.

Name: Carlo Sechi A.K.A Mr. Fix-it

DBR Title: Partner, Director of Higher Education

Office: Houston, Texas

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

“Somewhere buried in my Italian genes were the gifts to build, create, and enjoy speed.  I was fortunate to discover and unlock these at an early age.”

How did you get started with your activity/hobby? What do you enjoy about this activity?
I started working on bicycles as a kid.  Then in middle school, I was working landscaping –saving money — and I ran across a kid selling his dirt bike, unfortunately for money to buy drugs.  I bought that motorcycle “Over my dead body”, were my mother’s exact words – she was not pleased. You never forget your first love, and that motorcycle was it.  As I grew older, I bought and raced bigger and faster motorcycles.  In order to spend the most amount of money on the fastest parts, I did all the maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and tuning myself.  I learned how to plan, understand complicated systems, and buy the right tools.  That has worked for me throughout my life and career – keep loading your toolbox literally and figuratively and anything is possible.

What has been your favorite project at DBR?
Texas A&M University Corp Dorms for sure!  It was a test to see how bad we wanted to be in the Higher Education market.  We were untested, did not have the user’s trust, and were working/being reviewed by very seasoned and veteran Engineers – not to mention we designed a system that was way outside the box.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? 
I always joke that if I was stuck on an island I would bring Enzo (my older son) because he has such an incredible killer instinct. Three things : Hammer, Saw, Something that plays music.

What did you want to be when growing up?
A fighter pilot – I still have my 20/20 vision…

What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
A Ferrari 458 – Red, of course.

What is the first concert you attended? 
Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet – @ Shoreline Amphitheater

What book did you read last?
Shoe Dog : A memoir by the creator of Nike.

What celebrity do people think you look like?
Bob Saget

Name: Kevin Dan Milgrim (Just call me Dan) A.K.A Tinkerer

DBR Title: Director of Science & Technology

Office: Dallas, Texas

Hometown: Frankston, Texas

“When I have the chance to spend time on a project in my workshop, the hours just slip by. Whether it’s working on a cabinet, fixing a broken tool, restoring an old motorcycle or building a toy, the hours just glide by without notice.”

Before working at DBR, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I was an Engineering Manager for the WETF (Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Very high levels of security. Very secret work. Fascinating history and technical challenges.

How do you define success?
I think success can be achieved in many ways. Being respected in your chosen field of endeavor is the best kind of success.

What did you want to be when growing up?
I always wanted to be an Engineer! My Dad and both my brothers worked in construction. Being around that and working with them during the summers and so forth, made me really appreciate what an education could do for me and I was always intrigued by how things worked and were put together.

What is the first concert you attended?
This will date me for sure! I went to a “Nitty Gritty Dirt Band” concert my junior year in high school. The warm up act was a little-known comedian who wore a white suit and had a joke arrow sticking out of his head… his name was Steve Martin.

What book did you read last?
I read the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov. I have always been a Sci-Fi fan, but I had never read those three. You can see a lot more elements of more modern science fiction in them, from Star Trek to Star Wars!

What is the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
I once worked at a turkey hatchery. We put fertile turkey eggs in incubator ovens and kept them at constant temperature and humidity until they hatched into chicks. We then pulled them out and sent them to farms.

Where were you born?
I was born in Yuma, Arizona.

Name: Will Meister A.K.A Restorative Yogi

DBR Title: Project Manager

Office: Houston, Texas

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“A coworker, Alfredo Martinez, introduced me to yoga at LA Fitness. I liked it and kept going. I appreciated the clarity and relaxation. I took a staycation and decided to try a class at Joy Yoga – I’ve been hooked ever since, going several times a week and completing teacher training in 2016. I teach restorative yoga, which I like to call adult naptime. It’s my job to help people relax, which is exactly what I do here at DBR, right?”

Before working at DBR, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
The two most interesting jobs I had:

I was a stage hand in college at the university theater. The variety of performances were interesting. I got to meet Magic Johnson and James Earl Jones. I ran a props table for the Broadway tour of Footloose the Musical and packed up semis full of sets and props. I also got to do my homework during symphonies, which was handy.
I ran a BBQ pit for two summers for my step-father. He taught me how to grill, a skill that’s come in handy over the years. It was hot, hard work, and I remember sneaking away for ice cream when it would get slow.

If you had to eat only one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A poached egg on toast with a side of spinach…or potatoes. I make a mean poached egg.

What is your least favorite food?
Cherries. I used to eat them when I was little. One summer, I was visiting family in Michigan and ate so many cherries, I got sick. I still can’t touch them – not real cherries, artificial cherries or cherry-flavored candy. No cherries for me.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
A bear…somewhere between Winnie the Pooh and a black bear. Like, Pooh Bear, I like honey and often go to my thinking spot and think, think. Like a real bear in the forest, I could climb trees and take lots of naps.

If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hoegaarden – I first had it when I studied abroad in college. It was a great contrast to all the local beer in London. I still have a glass I snuck out of a bar that semester.

Do you have a motto or personal mantra?
In yoga, I often use mantras. Lately, I’ve been using “Take a deep breath and slow down”.

Name: Jeff Tabb
A.K.A Kite-boarding Aficionado

“The first time I saw people kite-boarding, I didn’t think I would ever do that. Now I look forward to it. Kite-boarding can be whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be a high adrenaline rush, it can be. If you want it to be a laid back cruise on the water, it can be that, too. The great thing about it is, you don’t need a truck or trailer to haul your gear. It can be put in the back of any car. Also, there is always a friendly crowd to enjoy the day with.”

What has been your favorite project at DBR?
Renovating the Towers of the Americas in San Antonio has to be one of the most interesting projects I have been involved in. Seeing the best engineering from the late 60’s, how the tower was originally constructed, was fascinating. Being able to contribute to the renovation was very rewarding.

If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I will drink way more than one beer during the rest of my life.

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sirloin steak and garlic mashed potatoes!

What is the first concert you attended?
The Bellamy Brothers and Delbert McClinton at the Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree in Athens, Texas in 1981. Sitting on the grass at the high school football stadium. Whew! Those were the days! LOL

What is your favorite sport? Favorite team?
Football. Dallas Cowboys. I grew up watching Roger Staubach sharing playing time with Craig Morton. Craig Morton was traded to Denver and the rest is history. The Cowboys went on to win their first Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins. Those were the real glory years for the Cowboys.

What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
A house on the water with a boat lift.

Name: Alex Tenorio-Torres
A.K.A Guitar Guru

“When I pick up my guitar, it is more than just trying to write a catchy riff. I view music as a “secret” language that can convey thoughts or emotions in ways that words can’t. Music is common throughout the world, and is something that can unite even the most opposite people. That is what I like about playing. You let the instrument do the talking.”

Best vacation you’ve been on?
The best vacation I have been on was a visit to Jasper/Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada with my family. It was a great reminder of how beautiful untouched nature is, how privileged we are to have it, and how we need to take care of it. Seeing nature so raw is something I will never forget.

How do you define success?
My definition of success is an adopted one from a book given to me by a friend. Success is not a finish line. Success is a state of being. It’s doing the small, mundane tasks that appear meaningless over and over again until they add up to something great. A block from the Great Pyramids is nothing impressive, but assembled together through hard work, become something iconic.

What is your favorite quote?
“If you give 99%, you will make my job very, very easy.” Coach Herb Brooks speaking to participants of the 1980’s United States Men’s Hockey Team try-outs.

Do you have a motto or a mantra?
Not so much a motto, but an acronym. N.R.T. meaning Next Right Thing. It can be overwhelming to plan ahead, even for just the following week! So I try to focus on the immediate next task and doing it right. How can someone reach step 10 of their success plan when they keep on missing step 1?

What are 3 career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
1. How successful you want to be is completely up to you, no one else can do the work for you.
2. No matter what you have as a job title, you are a human and you have a story.
3. A companies strength comes from the success of each person, at each position, no matter the rank.

What is on your bucket list?
To be able to experience the Northern Lights.

Name: Ahmad Hamiyeh A.K.A Youth Soccer Warrior

DBR Title: Senior Mechanical Designer

Office: Austin, Texas

Hometown: Kafarhata, Lebanon

“The journey and desire to coach started years ago with my daughter and five other little girls. Now, years later, my daughter has moved on to another team; however I still enjoy and have fun working with the kids. I now work with and coach multiple teams and the number of kids has grown. Coaching the game is a passion; working with the teams and providing guidance to the kids provides me an incredible amount of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Sharing the knowledge and love of the beautiful game with the kids, seeing them at practice, and watching them at games trying and working hard to apply what was learned is very enjoyable and a feeling beyond description. It has been a humbling experience to see how receptive the kids are to new ideas and how quickly they can absorb information; their eagerness to learn new things and ideas is amazing. It has been an amazing journey thus far.”

Best vacation you’ve been on?
The best vacation I have been on was to Cape Cod with my family.

What celebrity do people think you look like?
I have been told I look like Sylvester Stallone, but I don’t see that personally…

What is the first concert you attended?
Not knowing anything about country music, I dove into a Randy Travis & The Judds concert.

What is your favorite sport? Favorite team?
Football – NOT American Football! Liverpool FC.

What is on your bucket list?
To enjoy watching the World Cup in person.