One Olympic Team Spotlight - Brandt Fundak

Meet Brandt Fundak, Corporate Solution Development Manager and Member of our ONE OLYMPIC Training & Education Subcommittee.

Three years ago, Olympic Steel established the employee-run ONE OLYMPIC Team. These individuals volunteered to take part in this work of building culture and community to help attract, develop and retain the top talent in the metals and manufacturing industry - this, in addition to their regular job duties.

Each issue, we’ll give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the employees helping to strengthen Olympic Steel’s culture. In the last issue, we featured George Frost and this issue…

Brandt Fundak, Corporate Solution Development Manager, Olympic Steel

Q: What motivated you to become a member of our ONE OLYMPIC Team?
A:  “I try to live my life in the kind of world I would like to live in, where everyone is compassionate, listens and celebrates unique perspectives. When I was offered the opportunity to join, I knew it would be hypocritical of me not to get involved.”

Q: Can you share a unique fun fact or characteristic about yourself?

A:  “I’ve hosted the Cream of Broccoli Radio Hour from 10 AM to noon on WRUW FM 91.1, Cleveland (www.wruw.org) since 2003.”

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being an Olympic Steel employee?

A:  “I think it’s the people I work with. Amazingly, there are many coworkers whom I have known for the entirety of my 25 years here. I think that sort of thing can’t be the result of inertia – if the environment were toxic, people would leave. I think a lot of times it is tougher to stay in one place since the grass can always look greener elsewhere. The fact that many of us have decided to stay speaks to Olympic Steel’s culture.”

Q: In your opinion, what's a simple action everyone can take to make our Company a welcoming workplace?

A:  “Just remember the humanity of the person sitting across the table from you. Everyone has worries, and everyone is just trying to get along as best they can. If you remember that they are a person and not a drone or cog in the machine, you will help them have a better day.”

Q: When it comes to work, what’s your “superpower”? What’s a special skill you can offer to support your co-workers/team?

A:  “I feel like my work superpower is being able to absorb difficult interactions with other employees so that my team doesn’t have to. I’d rather they feel comfortable doing their work rather than trying to work through a sticky situation, especially when all it takes is a little communication to solve the problem. Let me do the talking while you do the work.”

Q: What cultural/heritage celebration or tradition holds special meaning for you? Mind sharing why?

A:  “Pride month. My son identifies as LGBTQIA+, and I have lots of queer and trans friends from involvement with WRUW and the Cleveland music scene. I like when people I care about feel seen, heard and supported.”