Meet Mr. Pe
ter Brighton, P.E.
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. “I grew up in Coffs Harbour, Australia. In Australia, I was a welder and a builders labor. I met my wife in Australia when she was studying abroad, and she convinced me to move to America with her.”
Q. What did you study in Australia?
A. “I went to the University of Wollongong and received my Bachelor’s of Engineering. I became an engineer in 2002, and moved to the USA in 2003. In 2006, I started working for Walden, and after many years of experience, I applied for the Professional Engineers test and became a P.E. in 2014.”
Q. What advice would you give young engineers? 
A. “I am a firm believer that you should definitely determine what degree you want to do before entering University. You should determine if you like your major early on and stick to it and finish it or change as early as you can. Also, I suggest you get your Masters while you are employed, and look for companies that will help you pay for your Masters.”
Q. What is your vision for Walden five years from today?
A. “To continue to grow Walden and expand clients and personnel. I believe that this will provide opportunity for younger staff to move up organically within the company.”
Q. What is your favorite part about working for Walden?
A. “I like the culture and the flexibility. There is no culture without the people!”
Q. When you are not working, what hobbies do you partake in?
A. “I like to sail, golf, and ski (both water and snow).”
Q. What is the most interesting thing about you that we would not learn from your resume?
A. “I have a really thick Australian accent.”
Q. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
A. “My 4-year-old forgot his shoes for his nursery school graduation and he went to the graduation with no shoes on. I dropped him off, I got critiqued by wife and mother-in-law for not remembering his shoes, raced home to get his shoes, only to park the car in the drop off zone. I forgot to apply the hand break, nor did I put the car in gear (manual) in the drop off zone and when I came back to move my car, my car had rolled back down the driveway and into a tree. After graduation, as I was driving the car to the auto body shop I got pulled over by the police for having blue headlights. What a morning!”
Need indoor air quality, civil or environmental design services? Call Peter Brighton, P.E. at (516) 624-7200 from Walden Environmental Engineering.