John Brandt

John's 2011 Autobiography

Following graduation, I spent the summer and the four following summers, as a lifeguard at Compo Beach and Longshore Club Park. The first two years of college were at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio. The final years were at the University of Connecticut. Following graduation, I joined the Peace Corps and trained for Nigeria. Unfortunately a civil war broke out, so the Naval Reserve was my next stop.

I taught remedial reading at Great Lakes Naval Training Center for two years, married Kathy, my wife of 43 years, and returned to Connecticut. Then it was time to get a real job. After three years in the canyons of Manhattan, I took a series of three corporate PR jobs before hanging out my shingle. Kathy, a retired English teacher from Lake Forest, Illinois, has been my partner in Brandt Associates, Inc. ever since. I can write and she can spell. It’s perfect.

Brandt Associates has served a wide variety of clients during its 30-year history, including many who have become friends. Arthur Ashe was one of our favorites. His untimely death was a personal tragedy. Our business continues to this day, but at a reduced pace.

We have two children, our daughter Debra, a ballet teacher, mom to Hannah (10) and Zachary (7) and wife to Malcolm, and our son Lee, an entrepreneur in the Big Apple.

It’s been a grand life here in Westport and we look forward to sharing it with those of you who have moved to less desirable places on the planet.