Around Town: Alumni Impact with Brian Wessels

On this episode of Around Town: Alumni Impact, we’re excited to welcome Brian Wessels, a proud Iowa State University alumnus, President and Founder of Intent Built, and an active member of the CORE alumni group.

Brian earned his degree in Construction Engineering from Iowa State and brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Through Intent Built, he leads with a focus on intentional leadership, quality execution, and relationship-driven projects—delivering everything from commercial and industrial spaces to food manufacturing and multi-family developments.

As a CORE alumnus, Brian remains closely connected to Iowa State, supporting the next generation of engineers through engagement, leadership, and community. We’re thrilled to have him join us today to share his journey and impact.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:30

These conversations celebrate the impact of engineering, the power of connection, and the lasting role alumni play in supporting future generations. I'm your host, Linda Dainty Alumni Outreach Specialist for CCEE. Today on the Roundtown Alumni Impact, we're excited to welcome Brian Wessels, a proud Iowa State University alumnus, president and founder of Intent Built, and an active member of the Core Alumni Group. Brian earned his degree in construction engineering from Iowa State and brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Through Intent Built, he leads with a focus on intentional leadership, quality execution, and relationship-driven projects, delivering everything from commercial and industrial spaces to food manufacturing and multifamily developments. As a core alumnus, Brian remains closely connected to Iowa State, supporting the next generation of engineers through engagement, leadership, and community. We're thrilled to have him join us today to share his journey and impact.

SPEAKER_01 1:25

Thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_00 1:26

Welcome.

SPEAKER_01 1:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:27

So, Brian, what inspired you to pursue your construction engineering degree at Iowa State?

SPEAKER_01 1:33

The um the catalyst moment was at my um good friend Pat's high school graduation party, and his uh uncle, a Connie alum, was sitting there at the table as we were eating cake. And it was undecided. I knew I was coming to Iowa State, maybe architectural, maybe engineering, not really sure. And he was talking about this construction engineering degree and how he had been out in Colorado building uh interstates and the personal satisfaction of uh end of the week, walking with a guy, smoking a cigar, in the middle of nowhere, and just kind of you know taking that moment and celebrating like we're we're we're creating change, we're we're we're making something. And that was kind of like that conversation was like the catalyst. So I came to Iowa State undeclared, and then within my first semester was able to declare to the Conde program. But that was the that, and I just I didn't want to be at a desk every day. And I knew that if I chose other engineering type degrees, the likelihood of being more computer and desk based would be it. I say that now, and I'm at a desk a lot still, but it's a lot about the relationships and the connections, so I I enjoy that piece.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

Aaron Ross Powell That's nice. What is your favorite memory or memorable story about your time studying at Iowa State?

SPEAKER_01 2:47

The Connie program is is pretty special in the context that it's it's very much a relationship-based program. A whole bunch of students that just know how to get stuff done. And I was lucky enough to be the AGC student chapter president. And so uh with my time through that organization when I was a part of it running it and just as a member, those are kind of relationships and those field trips and those experiences were kind of the the uh foundation building of, you know, lifelong friendships that I still have today. And even today is the career fair, and uh was walking the floor before uh before today and running into you know past classmates and you know, we haven't seen each other in twenty plus years, and it's the just the conversation is is not stopped. And so that that partnership and friendship and just community is really the uh the best part of it, I say.

SPEAKER_00 3:37

Aaron Ross Powell, Jr. Yes. So there's no one story you can think of, something um not that I could share on the podcast.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

But um but yeah, I mean just probably some of the most memorable nights were the cramming for, you know, the test and one friend's basement with fifteen of us around a custom-made Connie table that's a whole bunch of plywood sheets and just trying to figure out, you know, whatever if that was concrete or steel or whatever that course was, and just figuring it out together, honestly. It just kind of revolves around those relationships and friendships is um was just the the biggest piece of the program. And one of the one of the things I always share with, you know, high school students when I'm chatting with them about where they want to go and different universities and career paths is kind of challenged then, you know, every program is going to have a good education, right? But what is that alumni base and how invested are they in the school and the student's success? And that really is a direct indication of like where you'll be in a career and how strong that alumni base, that's again, that's as I said in the beginning story, I got here because an alumni told me about why he liked the program. And you know, if you're at the career fair today and you're talking with, you know, different individuals, you know, just asking, what is why are they back at Iowa State? What is that? And you'll quickly find that that family, that connection to the program and the success, and that just carries through like the day-to-day life of the of the students.

SPEAKER_00 5:05

So that's great. That's good to hear. I I agree. As a I'm in a different program, it's you know, still have those friendships that mean a lot. So how uh did your time at CCEE shape your career and life? And you've kind of said a few things, but would you like to expand on that?

SPEAKER_01 5:24

Yeah, I think the um, you know, having the chance to to have like a leadership position within the student chapter, different student chapters I was a part of really kind of sets you up for figuring out how how you work as a person, right? There's a lot of opportunity in the program and and through the um student organizations to kind of step up and step into the moments. And um just the refinement of that through the school kind of helped, kind of helped get there through that, through those paths. I think the um the biggest advantage of Iowa State and the the program is really just the opportunity to make it what you want. I have friends that have gone through the construction engineering program and never spent a day in the construction industry. You know, and that's just a testament to the again the ability to solve a problem. You and I were chatting a little earlier about what we're looking for when we're hiring students for full-time or or summer internships or co-op opportunities. And and really it's that um that connection and that ability to kind of solve a problem. With technology today, it's pretty easy to just search it up and find the answer you want. Maybe it's wrong. So you have to have that engineering basis to to fact check it and just kind of understand how that could have been. But really the ability to find the answer is what makes an Iowa State CCE grad, I think, very successful. Is that they uh they know how to look and um work towards a resolution as opposed to just pure memorization. You know, there's just there's only so much space up here to try to memorize everything, but having a good foundation on how to solve the problems really will get you places. And the program just emphasizes that through every step of the courses, even when you're taking the electives or the classes that you're like, I'll never run a diff-eq equation in my whole life. It's it's more about the training you to have the resolution to solve the problems and kind of get to the bottom of it, which I think is just core to the program.

SPEAKER_00 7:22

Aaron Powell Whatever you just said there about the deficit. I don't know what that is.

SPEAKER_01 7:27

A math class that, you know, I'm glad I passed it the first time.

SPEAKER_00 7:30

We're kind of shifting to your own career. So what's your proudest professional accomplishment?

SPEAKER_01 7:35

Aaron Powell The Proudest professional accomplishment I think would be starting intent built. You know, that was um a moment in time. We're almost six years old as a company where through all the other life learnings I had, I knew I had it in me and I had clear direction on what uh it could become and how I wanted to help craft that. And you know, we're 20 employees strong now, quickly growing in our our reach across upper Midwest and being very impactful to our clients. The intent name uh was very intentionally chosen. Um it's not my name, it's not named after me as a company, it's about who we are. And we we think pretty hard about the days, the hours we have working with each other and just choosing to work in this profession and working together as an intent-built team and using that intentionality to choose the types of projects we pursue and the people we choose to work with. You know, we are we are selective in who we choose to work with because we do value those relationships and we try not to be a commodity, and the ability to create that environment for other people to feel appreciated and and develop and grow within their own career would be, you know, I I'd suppose that would probably be the a pretty big accomplishment and one of my most proudest moments. Now, I built some really fun stuff, really cool things across the the U.S. Those have all been very awesome. But uh creating a foundation of a company and and watching it grow and succeed uh is is a pretty awesome feeling.

SPEAKER_00 9:00

Yeah, congratulations on that.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 9:02

Why do you think staying connected to Iowa State and the C CEE community is important even you know, years after graduating?

SPEAKER_01 9:09

You know, it's it's it's twofold. It's it's a necessity, right? I I understand what the program is able to produce, as I've talked about, the ability to challenge individuals to understand problem solving. And the world continues to present problems that you have to solve. And so understanding what this program is capable of producing gives the kind of instant confidence in those hires and those recruits. The university has it was a great experience for me through the student organizations and the friends and and the uh partnerships that were created. So, you know, just wanting to stay in that gravitational circle of the program and the ability to reconnect with alumni, classmates, and and teachers and faculty have just been fun as we all get older and advance and learn more stuff. It's it's just a great community that, you know, on the drive down here from the Twin Cities was able to call some friends, alumni, and just be like, hey, you know, what's going on tonight? And you're like, we'll talk to you in a bit. You know, and then just those phone calls again, no different than the alumni meeting on the the Hilton floor as we're both vying for that next, you know, construction engineering student to join our team is just we all want to see each other succeed. You know, and there's holy there isn't like egos that have to be maintained. It's if the program succeeds, we succeed. And if the program continues to deliver quality students, the program's name continues to have value, which then only helps the the certificate I have on my wall at the house. So it's it's self-fulfilling in that that I want the program to succeed because that helps my my education. I'll not no one asked me for my my certificate here anymore or my my graduation details or my GPA, which is probably okay. But yeah, just that um if the university succeeds, typically the companies will succeed too.

SPEAKER_00 10:53

That's great. So you've been extremely supportive of CCE uh the program and our students. Um you've recently donated um money to help with our learning communities, the hard hat ceremony, which thank you very much for that.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

You bet.

SPEAKER_00 11:08

So was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your decision to support students? You know, for example, you're involved with core, even though we don't have a hierarchical structure there, you're definitely taking a lead there. So what is it that sparked that decision?

SPEAKER_01 11:24

You know, the the I think the challenge the university might have, and why I thought my involvement with CORE would be of value, is that um for the most part, uh again, based on the relationships I've been talking about this whole interview, everyone still feels connected to the university for the most part, obviously exceptions, but it's just how you connect with those persons when they're you know running kids all over the place and and life is busy and the construction and and all the things. And so knowing that um my ability to be intentional with my time and understand the kind of challenges that um present themselves and the use of some technology to say, hey guys, like here's here's a way we can, you know, connect and and uh engage that's different than the way that we've been trying before, and seeing if we can't get success in just a a different approach. And I think that's you know, that comes from the time at Iowa State and the AGC chapter president and I said on the advisory panel for the CC program and the Connie program, and it just comes from a uh analysis of the problem. Not saying that there is a problem, but analysis of the opportunity, and just saying, well, if we look at it this way, or how could we change our outreach to to get to the high school students and to present a conversation that the civil or construction or environmental world is a good one, right? Like it there is a a tangible thing that you can create. Uh the job placement is wildly high in the Connie program, for sure, I know, because I'm trying to find the students every day, and you know it's it's a battle. But there's a there's a a definite career there, and it's uh it can be a very fulfilling financially and just career-wise. And so creating um the connection back to core to then tap into those alumni that have started to succeed to give the opportunities to those students that are new to the program and either rein reinforce their direction to stay in the CCE or bring them over to a a career where truly we need we just need good people to help build and change the world.

SPEAKER_00 13:24

Mm-hmm. That's nice. So, and how do you hope your generosity will impact future engineers? And you've kind of talked a little bit about that, but is there anything that you can add to the your statement there?

SPEAKER_01 13:35

I I think just the opportunity to have that high school graduation cake conversation. I've had it a couple times through the AGC with you know black wide-eyed seniors in high school sitting in a lobby chair waiting to, you know, do their stud student visit and and just have a five minute conversation about uh the industry and and kind of where they're going and and the same when I go speak with um students in the high schools here and or neighbors or friends about just what this career can look like and the uh the fun that can be had. And one of the one of the things that I liked about it was what I learned in my engineering classes I could take to the local menards or home depot or whatever, and I could apply it in that moment. You know, and this is again 25 years ago before 3D printing and all the other things that make electrical and computer engineering and everything else um much more tangible today. But you know, what you learn as a construction engineer, you can use it at your own house, you know, and your weekends and your nights and you become, you know, just handy and useful, and it's again that sense of pride that you did it yourself or your team did it. And um you always hear the jokes of the dads driving down the the roads and being like, I built this and I built that, and we put in that road or we did that. But you know, it's really that kind of that piece of pride that like I did it and you know, and I think we carry that at the company and our our team members that sense of pride in what we do every day and just providing those opportunities for upcoming students to see that exposure, see past the grueling hours and the difficult tests and and all the requis prerequisites that happen to see like, hey, stick with it, you'll be fine. You know, GPA is important, but sticking with it's more important. And you know, if you do that, there is a a really great end game to be had with it.

SPEAKER_00 15:21

So if you could describe the power of alumni gener we're shifting ears a little bit, sounds good, let's go. Okay. If you could describe the power of alumni generosity in one word, what would it be and why? It's hard with one word.

SPEAKER_01 15:35

It is hard with one word. I was thinking about this. I'm gonna go intentional. Um I kind of I kind of like that word. The uh the why intentional. Um it just it controls the whole premise of why and what you're doing. So, you know, from a generosity or a f a physical contribution or a time contribution, if you understand the intent behind that, a lot more then happens. You know, as as companies become successful and individuals become successful, the ability to physically write a check becomes more easily done. But if you're not asking the intent behind the check and how it's being impactful and and creating creating the experience of the moment, then it's lost. Right? Then it's just it's a ph it's a transaction. And as I said earlier, our company tries not to be transactional. And so having that core of intent around all the decisions you're making and choices and conversations really guides you on a a way to go uh to succeed. And so I would I would say intent.

SPEAKER_00 16:35

That's good. Great and and appropriate.

SPEAKER_01 16:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:38

So what advice would you give to a current student or a young alumni?

SPEAKER_01 16:43

Stick with it. If you're a student and you're you know you're you're in the throes of the testing world, stick with it and and get out. See people, meet people, go to the career fair, work on networking. Uh again, we we focus that GPAs aren't everything. Uh it's the relationships and connections, and that's why earlier I was saying understanding if you're even not an alumni yet or a student and you're looking at coming to Iowa State, you know, and the other high schools or colleges, I guess, that you're recruiting or are considering, what is their alumni base? Like what is what is that connection back and is that something that is powerful? And that's a question I don't think a lot of universities focus on as a as a just a a front out there front conversation. But look at the the quantity of persons attending just the engineering career fair today and then the business career fair up and coming. That speaks a lot of volume about the alumni base and the the potential to get those jobs, those you know, if it's the NASA's or whatever whatever the big names are these days that you want that alumni base is is gonna help you and it's gonna be a uh a person to help you kind of get through it.

SPEAKER_00 17:46

So that's good. So when you think about the future of engineering or the next generation of cyclone engineers, what excites you the most?

SPEAKER_01 17:54

I I I think it's the opportunity to build upon the the foundation that's already here. You know, you're not starting out at ground zero. Right? You have you have an amazing alumni base that's behind you willing to pull you up and out and through and push you forward. And that to me is like the most exciting unlock. If the student chapters can reach out to the alumni base, if the students through whatever entities, if the professors can really connect and activate, and that's one of the things in core that we're trying to figure out how to try to get that full unlock. But the the building upon where we've been and where we want to go, technology will continue to train change, means and methods will continue to change, but the alumni base will continue to grow. And if we if we keep that upward path, then the next round of students that have been supported by the alumni base are gonna be that much more knowledgeable on solutions and haven't been exposed to job site visits or real life project experiences either in the classroom or through internships or co-ops. And so that would be the biggest piece is just using that alumni basis to just continue to make us stronger and better and and differentiate us in the market.

SPEAKER_00 19:01

So that is a wonderful thing that students have the opportunity to do internships basically right after their freshman year, on up, trying new things related to their degree, and then till by the time they're finished, hopefully they've chosen something they really like.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Aaron Powell A lot more clarity can be had for sure.

SPEAKER_00 19:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:18

You know, and it's like do you want to spend time on the road, do you want to, you know, be away from home, do you want to be in Florida or California, or do you want to stay here in Iowa or Minnesota in our case? But yeah, it's you know, it's a it's a pretty nice in an internship, 12-week non-committal. And historically they pay way better than going back to the country club or the local restaurants or wherever you may have worked during high school, and you're getting real life experience, which is kind of the ongoing mantra of this, is just identifying problems and working thro through the solutions, and you get that by just doing.

SPEAKER_00 19:49

And it's also probably a reason why most of our students have jobs before they even start their senior year or right, you know, that last summer. Yeah. Which is incredible.

SPEAKER_01 19:58

Aaron Powell Yeah. It's sometimes I wish they'd wait for, you know, new companies that are coming in to give us a shot, but I respect the game.

SPEAKER_00 20:05

So you're in. You're in the right. We're getting in now.

SPEAKER_01 20:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:08

Brian, thank you so much for joining us today and for sharing your story. Your journey from Iowa State to leading Intent Belt reflects the impact of intentional leadership, strong relationships, and a commitment to quality.

SPEAKER_01 20:20

Well, I appreciate you having me. It's exciting to see the intent of the program through these different programs to stay engaged with the alumni base and excited to see where Core and the other programs can just kind of help keep that connection strong.

SPEAKER_00 20:33

Yeah. We're also grateful for your continued involvement through the Core Alumni Group and for the work being done at Intent Built, where Thoughtful Design, Building Science, and Long-Term Partnerships align so closely with the values of Iowa State and the CCEE community. Thank you for being part of Around Town Alumni Impact and for the role you play in supporting future cyclone engineers.

SPEAKER_01 20:53

Well thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_00 20:54

Yeah, it's been great.

SPEAKER_01 20:55

Yep. Have a great day.

SPEAKER_00 20:56

Thanks for listening to Around Town Alumni Impact. I hope today's conversation showcased the many ways C CE alumni give back, stay connected, and help shape the future of our department. Join us next time as we continue highlighting the alumni impact happening all around CCEE.