It’s Brett’s work anniversary this month, so we chatted him up about his twelve-year journey (so-far!) with Red Dog Media to learn what brought him to Red Dog Media, how it’s going, and his real secret to success.
Brett is pictured above in front of some of his prized artwork- sound wave images of some of his favorite songs and artists.
Luck? Fate? I wasn’t really sure where my career would end up, but I kept saying yes to the right opportunities.”
For Brett, Vice President of Technology at Red Dog Media, that mindset led him on a career journey full of unexpected turns – one that ultimately brought him to Red Dog Media 12 years ago. Since then, he’s played a pivotal role in shaping our software development department, building a talented team, and helping drive some of Red Dog Media’s biggest successes.
From Temp Job to Tech Leader
Before Brett found his way to Red Dog Media, he wasn’t sure where his interest in computers would take him. He started out pursuing a degree in information systems while working a temp job doing data entry. That job led to a full-time role writing scripts, and eventually, he landed at an automotive software startup in Utah, where he worked for eight years.
At that company, Brett moved from software QA to automation, then to development, team leadership, and eventually managing multiple teams, including an offshore team in Uruguay. That experience gave him a strong foundation in leadership, team building, and problem-solving, which would prove invaluable when Red Dog Media came knocking.
Taking a Chance on Red Dog Media
That knock came from Bryce, Red Dog Media’s co-founder, who reached out to Brett about a job opportunity. At first, Brett turned it down.
“I wasn’t sure about the industry, and it would have meant moving out of state,” he recalls. But Bryce was persistent, and Brett’s curiosity was piqued.
As it turned out, Brett’s wife, Janean, was also open to a change, especially one that involved leaving Utah’s snow behind for Las Vegas sunshine. So they made the trip down to check things out. That was 12 years, 22 additional software developers, and about 60 employees ago.
Building a World-Class Tech Team
When Brett joined Red Dog Media in 2013, the software development team consisted of just two full-time developers. Brett spent most of his time writing code and working hands-on with his team.
Fast-forward to today, and Red Dog Media’s technology department has evolved into five distinct teams. Brett now focuses more on leadership, cross-department collaboration, hiring, and strategy.
Brett says the work has changed a lot over the years.
I’ve gone from programming all day to running a department, sitting in meetings, and making sure our teams have what they need to succeed. Our talented developers now do the heavy lifting, and my job is to make sure they have the right environment, challenges, and support to do their best work.”
Thrilling Moments and Career Highlights
While Brett has led many projects, the most exciting part of his work at Red Dog Media has been seeing the scale and impact of the software they’ve built.
Since before I even got here, data and automation have been huge parts of Red Dog Media’s success,” he explains. “Seeing the technology we develop generate millions of ads, drive millions of users to our sites, and lead to moments where our revenue skyrockets- that’s been thrilling. I never could have imagined the company reaching this level when I started.”
The People Who Make the Difference
For Brett, the real secret to success isn’t just the technology- it’s the people behind it.
We’ve built a team of dedicated, talented people who truly care about what they do,” he says. “That doesn’t mean we always agree on everything, but that diversity of experience, personality, and opinion is a huge part of what makes us great.”
He credits David J. as one of the biggest influences on his career- first as a mentor at his previous company and now as a key member of Red Dog Media’s tech team.
When I first joined Red Dog, I told the team that David was my #1 draft pick. We were lucky to get him, and ever since, he’s done nothing but make me look good,” Brett laughs. “Fun fact: back in Utah, we used to carpool to work together and listen to audiobooks like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings in the car. You know—guy stuff.”
Beyond the Office: Music, Basketball, and Concerts
Outside of work, Brett keeps busy with a weekly pickup basketball game that he’s been running for 25 years. He’s also a huge music fan- particularly ’90s punk rock- and has attended the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival in Las Vegas multiple times.
His wife Janean is often along for the ride, though he admits he might have pushed his luck a little when it comes to their concert attendance:
I’ve made her see my favorite performer, Frank Turner, seven times in the past 2.5 years (and I went to one more without her). She’s plotting her revenge by making me go to multiple Harry Styles shows if he does a Las Vegas residency.”
Advice for Future Red Dog Media Teammates
As Brett reflects on 12 years at Red Dog Media, he’s learned that the key to building a great company is hiring the right people.
Talent, productivity, work ethic, and communication—if someone is missing one of those things, it makes all of our lives more complicated,” he says. “Finding the right people makes a night and day difference.”
For anyone considering a career at Red Dog Media, Brett has one piece of advice:
Take a hard look at our core values. They aren’t just words on a page—they define the kind of people we want on our team. If those values resonate with you, this is a place where you’ll thrive.
Want to work with a team of dedicated, talented people who truly care about what they do? Check out our open roles!