Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

BRIAN C. BREWER, BUS AD ’96
Cedarburg, Wis.

Brian appreciates the lifelong value of his experiences at Marquette, from the classroom to the soccer field. His desire to see others receive the same lasting benefits has driven his efforts to enhance the experience of Marquette’s student-athletes.

Professionally, Brian is a managing director in the public finance department at Robert W. Baird. He works with government entities to fund large-scale projects through the sale of municipal bonds. 

“I enjoy using financial knowledge and creativity to develop solutions that meet the unique needs of each community,” he says.

A standout soccer player at Marquette, Brian says his most memorable college experience was meeting his wife Laura, Arts ’98. He and Laura have three children, and he volunteers for Junior Achievement and the Cub Scouts. Brian defines success as a combination of attaining challenging goals while balancing work with his family and faith. 

He is a former president of the Marquette M Club and was a board member for 10 years. Further, the Brewers never lost sight of the sacrifices their parents made to send them to Marquette. To help others gain access to similar opportunities, the couple in 2009 established an endowed scholarship fund, benefitting student-athletes who maintain a 3.0 GPA and are members of one of the soccer programs.   

“Laura and I both feel that we were provided with a great opportunity to experience Marquette through the hard work and sacrifice of others, most notably our parents,” Brian says. “We use this awareness to guide us in how we raise our children, actively engage in our community and work to ensure others have the same opportunity we received.”

Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Favorite book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Dream dinner guest: “Abraham Lincoln. Our world would be very different without his leadership and vision during a very difficult period in U.S. history.”
Person who had an impact while at Marquette: “Greg Naples. I was on the men’s soccer team with his son, JT. When I first came to Milwaukee, I was a long way from home, and the Naples family welcomed me as part of their family in Brookfield. I was able to witness how effectively Greg balanced work and family and how he used ethics and fairness in all of this interactions with those around him. Those lessons are still with me today.”
Career he aspired to in grade school: “I wanted to be a business owner. My grandfather owned a glass company, and, when I was young, I used to sweep the warehouse floor to earn money, which allowed me to see him running the business. The concept of leading a group of employees to provide products and service to customers was a strong influence on me.”
Most influential people: “My parents are the reason I have become the person I am today. However, the most influential person in my life beside them is my grandfather, Robert Brewer. He sent an example for me at an early age that showed me how I wanted to live my life. He taught me that hard work, faith, and a willingness to give to others strengthens your character and helps you attain your goals in life.”