I was born just north of New York City in Bronxville New York and by the time I started the 4th grade in Northridge, California our family had moved from New York to New Jersey to California, back to New York, over to New Jersey again and finally settling down back in California, in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles in 1976! I loved sports growing up! The Dodgers are my team! I played little league baseball and basketball growing up and played point guard in high school. During high school football games I was the Yell Leader for the Cheerleading Squad, and would help get the crowd rockin during games! I joined the Navy in 1987 and went through Navy Nuclear Power School before it was in Goosecreek SC (it was in Orlando FL back then). My first duty station was on the submarine USS Woodrow Wilson in Charleston SC in January 1989. I was selected for a Navy College program in 1994 and attended The University of South Carolina where I would earn a Bachelor’s’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I decided to to get out of the Navy in 2000 to raise my children. For the better part of the last 23 years I have worked as a Engineering Manager in hospitals, where I assist hospitals in ensuring they remain compliant with all Regulatory/Fire/Life Safety Codes. In October 2021 I started Anchor Facilities Management Inc., a Facilities Consulting firm where I help organizations with regulatory compliance, labor optimization, recruiting talent, financial analysis, and team building. In the last 2 years I have assisted ~ 20-25 different organizations in improving their day to day operational readiness. Anchor’s slogan is “We Help Build High Performing Engineering & Facilities Teams!”
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My father Joseph Brutto raised me, my older sister Barb, and my younger brother Rich and was the best father a kid could ever have! He taught us that family is #1 and that a family that plays together, stays together! I have two incredible sons, Joe & Nick. Joe is a fantastic Chemical Engineer and Nick is an incredible artist! They have both earned their Masters Degrees and they are my two best friends!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I loved my Navy Career and all of my submarine brothers. Knowing that every single sailor on the boat had each others back, “no matter what” is something we all still practice to this day. What I loved most about my submarine service is the lifelong friendships have built. Helping develop future leaders in Facilities & Engineering is what I love most about what Anchor Facilities Management is doing.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Halls Chophouse is incredible! Osaka Asian Bistro has the freshest sushi! I love to show up at opening time at Wild Olive on Johns Island and sit at the bar and get an awesome early dinner!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I just relocated back to Charleston in January but have lived in South Carolina for the better part of the last 34 years!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I got to meet and speak with Ray Charles in the early 1990s backstage at The King Street Theatre. Ray was so kind and took the time to chat with me although he was very busy getting ready to go on stage. I’ll never forget it! Thanks Ray!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Although I have been to Italy, I have never been Reggio Calabria (right at the bottom of the boot before entering Sicily), the home of The Bruttos!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite Movie: The 1st Rocky Movie! Favorite TV Show: The Sopranos
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take care of yourself and your family 1st!! Everything else comes after that!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
An invite to play Augusta National just one time!!!
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Anything by Paul McCartney, absolute genius!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I can still remember when Shem Creek was the best place to be on a Friday & Saturday night in the 1990s……hard to get a reservation back then!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Since I was the Class Clown in high school, I would love to grab a couple hot dogs and meet Bill Murray on the 1st tee at my golf club (Links at Stono Ferry), then play 18 with Bill! “Hey Bill! I hope you read this, come on over to Stono Ferry, the hot dog and the round is on me brother!”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The new design and layout of Charleston Municipal Golf Course! Bravo , Charleston! Bravo!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Playing golf every day and enjoying time with family!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Me and my submarine brother Al Lattimer, PhD won the talent contest 3 years in a row on The USS Boise! Al played guitar and back up vocals, I sang. Thanks Al!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The 18th green at The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite Month: January. Favorite Holiday: Veterans Day….Best Single Day on the Calendar: Opening Day Major League Baseball!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The friends I have made in life!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My two sons!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The smell of something cooking on the barbecue. The smell of the fresh cut grass before teeing off for a round of golf!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A Family That Plays Together Stays Together!
