Seeing double?
Brian McCarthy has a twin brother, named Sean, who works at Trader Joe’s on de la Vina. “We’re fraternal twins, but he looks exactly like me, yet personality-wise we’re very different.”
What’s it like having a twin? “It’s fun! We have a magical connection. For example, a couple months ago we saw each other in town and we had just gotten the exact same haircut that same day. We also have fun when people confuse us. Sometimes we’ll pull their chain and get them all messed up.”
Wait a minute, are we talking to Brian or Sean, right now?

HofArc: So, tell us a little about Brian.
Brian: I’m a Santa Barbara native – born at Cottage Hospital. My family is from New Jersey and Connecticut so I have some connections to the East Coast. I lived there for a few years when I worked for a welding a steam fitting company. When we lived here in Santa Barbara, my Dad worked on the oil rigs in the Channel. My life is back on track since I’ve been in recovery, and I’m proud to say I’ve been clean for about 2-1/2 years. I went through the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s program and I loved it. Some of my favorite people are there… I still go by and say, “Hi.”

I like to attend the Mission’s graduation ceremonies, too. I still have a mentor, named Don, who I really love. Once a week I volunteer for a panel of advisors who help others through their detox process. We let the guys know they don’t have to continue that old destructive way of living.

My hobbies are working out at the gym and painting with acrylic.

HofArc: How did you find HofArc?
Brian: My friend Peter works here and was always speaking highly of HofArc. Once he started working here he really got on fire for life. It sounded like a place I wanted to work, so he mentioned my name to Wally.

I’ve never heard about another place to work like this… it’s so unique. When I was cashing my paycheck the other day, the teller at Wells Fargo asked me, “What’s the HofArc Academy?” He was sure it was some type of school. I explained to him that it’s not a school, but young guys like me are learning a lot about the trades. When people hear about HofArc, and what we do, they say, “Wow! Wow! That’s so awesome!”

I agree, it is an awesome place to work.

HofArc: What do you do for HofArc?
Brian: Whatever I am told to do (laughs). At this point I assist Pete, Tony and Allen. My goal is to be able to be the go-to guy for Nate (Construction Manager) to do anything from wood to metal. Eventually, I’d love to be able to do electrical work. Maybe I should take Evan and Chris to lunch and bribe them into teaching me some new stuff – what do you think?

HofArc: What’s it like working at HofArc?
Brian: It’s a challenging job because it’s all new stuff for me. But I’ve never been a part of a workforce that is so into working as a team. Most jobs are sectional at best.

At HofArc, we’re always working on our skills and communication. I love the experience of new challenges. The whole field of renovation is about learning from the situation before you and from each other. If one of the guys comes to work feeling down, the other guys aren’t going to let him stay there. I enjoy the different personalities, too. We have a bunch of goofballs working here, me included! But we can all laugh about each other.

I tell people we make rolling pieces of art.

HofArc: What do you do for fun and recreation?
Brian: I like to work out and hang out with my girlfriend, Cheyenne.

HofArc: What do you like best about living in Santa Barbara?
Brian: Santa Barbara is paradise. Beautiful – from the mountains to the beach. Around every corner we’re able to experience nature. I’ve travelled all across the country and there’s nothing like Santa Barbara.

HofArc: Any aspirations?
Brian: Education keeps popping up into my head. I see myself pursuing some type of creative endeavor. I have the extreme urges to create – what? I’m not sure. But I know it’s all in God’s hands… so I’ll let Him work on that.