Spotlight: Brad Holmes 1993

Submitted Date 6/12/2017 21:34:25

Brad Holmes

Why did you join Chi Phi?

Luckily for me I roomed freshman year in Alice Lloyd with Peter Clarke MacMillan. After flailing-about my freshman year and not doing a good job figuring out Ann Arbor or the school, Pete suggested I come by for rush sophomore year. I somehow got a bid despite my acid wash jeans.

With whom do you stay in contact?

I'm in contact with "Jon" (yes, that's what he goes by now) Fireman, better known to us as JJ, Firetruck, etc. on a weekly basis. Happy to have reconnected with BJ Bardy over the past few years (congrats on the Pens! Again!) and Geoff Feldkamp and I grab lunch every so often. Check in with Mike Corlett as well. Saw Matt Wiener in Michigan last year.

Did you live in the house?

Yes

If so, who were your room-mates?

Tell us about a memorable time with them. Lived in the triple (did it have a name?) opposite end of the hall from the Tacky Triple with JJ Fireman and at different times with Pete MacMillan and Geoff Feldkamp (I think. Memories have gotten a bit hazy in 25 years!). Had a ton of great times with all of them, many of which won't ever see the printed page. However, a particularly strong memory was from Peanut Butter & Pineapple senior year (great party, hope they're still doing it). I had pinned a Chi Omega (my future, and current wife) some months before despite the warnings that there may be repercussions. After all the seniors gave their speeches, I found myself hoisted up and carried across the street to Chi-O, at which point I was chained (through my clothes) to one of the pillars out front. My choices were to wait it out and hope somebody would free me or disrobe and make a run for it. Thankfully we lived in an era before mobile phone cameras and social media...

Can you tell us about your career?

I spent 20 years as an analyst and portfolio manager investing on behalf of corporations, pension and mutual funds. Two years ago I moved to the private wealth world at Merrill Lynch's Private bank and am now investing for several families.

Geographically, where are you now, and where have you been since leaving Ann Arbor?

I live in Larchmont, one of the burbs just north of Manhattan with my wife Jill (formerly Brown) and my 15 year old daughter Leah and 11 year old son Ethan. I moved out to New York shortly after graduation in 1993.

What do you miss about living in Ann Arbor? What DON'T

I miss? Steve's Lunch, football Saturdays, the entirety of Spring Term, frisbee in the Diag, Mr Spot's, basketball behind the house, Blimpie Burger, the Blind Pig, Fabulous French Toast at the Brown Jug, on and on and on.

Why is it important to you that Chi Phi remains at 1530 Washtenaw for years to come?

It's a tremendous opportunity for boys on their way to becoming men to figure it all out together and have a ridiculously good time in the process. Coming from a small town in Michigan it was my first exposure to guys from different religions, nationalities and geographies. Living in close confines with people from different backgrounds is a great way to learn about yourself and others.