Please welcome Bremdon Gallegos to the M2L Associates team. Bremdon brings strong technical and project support skills to his position here at the firm, having previously worked as a draftsman and AutoCAD expert. M2L Principal Michael Mauer said he was immediately impressed with Bremdon’s technical knowledge, work ethic and life experience, believing those qualities along with his curiosity about architecture and design and passion for mastering new skills would greatly enrich the M2L team. “Bremdon’s eagerness to learn our business and succeed in whatever he does comes through as soon as you meet him,” Mauer said. “He brings positive energy and a strong desire to contribute to every new project or challenge that comes his way.”
More about Bremdon in his own words:
Your interest in architecture and design started early. Tell us more about how that developed.
Ever since I was in high school, I have been interested in architecture and design. This led me to take an architecture class when I was in 10th grade at The Guthrie Center, a Spring Branch vocational and technology center that offers specialized education and training in addition to the high school curriculum. Through the class my interest and knowledge of architecture grew, and I was also able to learn AutoCAD at the same time.
I pursued other interests and worked in numerous jobs from food service to retail. After graduation I began a college course to become a certified draftsman, but when I had to drop the class when it became difficult to pay for college (I didn’t qualify for student aid), I made it my goal to find a job that would give me a chance to use my AutoCAD knowledge.
At the end of 2019, a local land surveying company gave me a chance and hired me on as a drafter, beginning my first job where I could see a career path. For three years at that company, I learned everything I could about land surveying and drafting for residential homes working alongside builders in both newly developed and existing neighborhoods. I also went from working on surveys for Houston properties to properties all the way in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
You’re known for your strong work ethic and say you can trace that influence back to your upbringing. How so?
Growing up I saw the struggle my father went through to provide for our family since times were hard for undocumented workers who barely knew English. Somehow my father was able to take care of us and give us the best life we could have had with the lives we were given. Through hard work and determination my father gave us a great example. Therefore, when I turned legal age and was able to work legally with a permit, I took advantage of that opportunity. I was motivated by the fact that my father wouldn’t need to worry so much about me financially, and in doing so taking a bit of weight from his already heavy shoulders.
You’ve certainly made the most of many opportunities. How did your path lead to M2L and landscape architecture?
I was always interested in the way things looked and especially in buildings and houses. The design aspect of what I observed around me intrigued me. That’s why I decided to take the architecture class, which is where I learned to draft on AutoCAD. After high school I never left that interest behind, so that’s what led me to join the land surveying company. I believed I could actually contribute with what I had learned and build a career path for myself. I never stopped thinking about architecture, so after three years when I decided to change career paths, M2L caught my attention.
I had never really known of the landscaping side of architecture. When I first met with Michael and learned all that M2L did, it created in me an interest in landscape architecture that I didn’t know I had. I was fascinated by all the work and thought that go into the designs created by this great company. I knew I wanted to be part of M2L. That’s why when I began at M2L, I made it my goal to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. I knew I wanted to give my best to this career and learn everything I could to be able to contribute to the work done here. I want to acquire all the knowledge I can about landscape architecture to give back to this company and help in its success.
What are your first impressions of M2L and the environment here? Do you like working for a small company?
When I met with Michael the first time I visited, he gave me a tour where I got to see the work environment here at M2L. I saw how close everyone is here because it’s a small company. That interested me, and I wanted to know what that experience would be like. When I began working here, I saw the care and attention given to me not only by my coworkers but also from the M2L management. I hadn’t felt that sense of comfort in a job before, and that really let me know choosing M2L was the best decision. We may be a small company, but we sure make a big impact with all that we do. That’s what I love about it.
M2L took a chance on me and for that I will always be grateful. Michael saw my experience and appreciated my technical knowledge. Working here has been a blessing and an honor. The work environment and comradery are some of the best I have seen in all my years of working. I look forward to the many years to come that I’ll be part of this amazing team here at M2L Associates.
What’s a fun fact about you?
As part of our work with our church here in Houston, my wife Gigi and I have been learning Thai in order extend our ministry and talk to the Thai community here and beyond the Houston area. Gigi and I have been supporting the Thai congregation since 2019. We attend along with close friends who are all trying to learn the language. We all need spiritual guidance in our life, so we wanted to help the Thai community in Houston to have the option of doing that in their own language. We enjoy it very much!