Faces of Evotherm: Bryan Pecht
Oct 29, 2018
Help is something that Bryan Pecht is giving to others in all aspects of his life. Whether he is helping his team be successful, giving comfort to others with his certified service dog or sharing his vast professional experience with colleagues across the industry, Bryan is a giver.
“I see myself as a sounding board for others,” explained Bryan. “How can I make my sales people, my children, my grandchildren better? I just genuinely love helping people. Especially at work, I enjoy sharing my experiences about what works and what doesn’t with others. I’ve had the unique opportunity to see the world and those experiences can be helpful to others who may never have been away from the asphalt plant they operate.”
This technical marketing manager for Europe and the northeast region of the U.S. has been with Ingevity for almost seven years. But what’s even more impressive is that he’s been a part of the asphalt industry since he was 6 years old. Yep, 6 years old. And it’s a great story.
“My dad worked 70 to 80 hours a week in an asphalt plant in Delaware and I’d do anything to spend time with him,” said Bryan. “So, at about 6 years old, I started visiting him at the plant. The state inspector there would pay me $0.25 to run tests in the lab. I learned how to operate the testing equipment, write down numbers and weights, learned the calculations. When I grew up, it was natural that I go into the paving industry and at one point I actually became my father’s boss. I was managing a plant and he ran maintenance for me.” Bryan went on to manage various asphalt and concrete plants and was also responsible for quality control and commercial sales for the next 20 years.
What’s your idea of happiness?
The whole family going to Costa Rica and being together for a week. My wife, two daughters, our son, and our four grandchildren.
Your idea of misery?
Late winter in the northeast when it’s supposed to feel like spring. When you want it to be warm and it’s not!
If not yourself, who would you be?
I’d just be a better version of myself. I’m always trying to improve.
Where would you like to live?
I’d like to chase 72 degrees around the country.
Who are your heroes in life?
My dad is one. He taught me that it’s ok to make mistakes but that it’s important not to make the same one twice; that we should learn from them. I also admire my wife and my children. My wife has done an amazing job as a partner and mother to our children. Each of our three children are educated, successful and happy in their lives.
What natural talent would you like to be gifted with?
I’d like to be able to sing.
What’s your favorite memory from a project?
When a customer in Virginia did fiberless SMA for the first time. They were so scared that the asphalt was just going to the bottom of the truck or that they’d have to mill up the entire project, that they had milling machines on the job just in case. The project was a success and they didn’t need to mill up a thing.
When he’s not doing great work at Ingevity, Bryan is usually golfing, working in his woodshop, or visiting retirement centers with his wife and their Golden Retriever who is a certified service dog. He once saw a plaque on a church in Sonoma, Arizona, that moved him: “Some men only dream. Other men make dreams come true.” Bryan obviously took those words to heart.