MEET BRIAN BUDROW: NEW RUTLAND COUNTY RESIDENT AND CONCIERGE VOLUNTEER

Karly Haven (KH): Tell me about yourself and how long your family has lived in the Rutland Region.

Brian Budrow (BB): I grew up in Phoenix. I went to Oregon State University where I met my wife Calista, then finished college at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I played college baseball and was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010. After having our two children and living in many different places while playing professional baseball, my wife and I missed the change of seasons and the feel of a small community. Calista’s sister lives outside of Boston, so we had driven through Rutland in 2018 and loved the downtown architecture and the small-town feel. We heard about the Stay-to-Stay Program in late 2018 on NPR and reached out to Mary Cohen (Former Executive Director of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region) in early 2019. We came back to Rutland in April 2019, to explore homes and moved to Rutland in June 2019.

KH: What drew your family to Rutland?

BB: What I love about Rutland is its affordability, it is in a great location, and the outdoor recreation opportunities are amazing. I love that Rutland is a walkable city, and I enjoy the architecture of Rutland and our great community. There is a welcoming atmosphere and I have more friends than ever living here. Rutland still maintains a small-town feel, where you often see someone you know.

KH: What drew you to join the Concierge Program as a volunteer after going through the program?

BB: I joined the Concierge program because I enjoy sharing my experience and encouraging others to move here. I’m real with them however, Rutland does have issues, but many great assets. I enjoy living here. It’s a great place to raise kids.

KH: What is your favorite moment from the Concierge Program?

BB: When we came to visit in 2019, Steve Costello, a Real Rutland Concierge, set up a Meet and Greet with 40 to 50 people. I was overwhelmed but excited to meet all the welcoming people from Rutland. I’m still friends with some of the people I met that night! We then went to the Lip Sync Battle fundraiser for Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum which was held the same night at the Paramount Theatre. It was such a wonderful event! It was a powerful moment for my wife and me to move here. I teared up seeing the community support for Wonderfeet and the fun everyone was having together. We decided that night that Rutland was the place for us. We then worked with Susan Bishop (local realtor) to find our first home in Rutland.

KH: Final thoughts on the program?

BB: I think the program is vital to the growth of our region. It connects people with similar experiences in the community and allows them to make connections even before moving here. It allows people who have an idea to move here to get to experience Vermont and the Rutland Region as a place to raise kids, a place for outdoor recreation, and be part of a community that cares. Having the overall Vermont experience with someone else who is living it is very important.

Thank you, Brian, for speaking with us about your experience with the Real Rutland Concierge Program. We appreciate your volunteerism and community spirit.