Get To Know Bryan

Bryan grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. He is one of 4 siblings raised by a single mother – living with his grandparents. Between his older two sisters not caring to play with their little brother, and his younger sister losing a short battle with Leukemia, Bryan found an amazing friend and partner in Joey – his “imaginary” friend. Their adventures inspired a series of books under his pen name Dilbert “Dill” Pickels. 

Now living in Prattville with his amazing wife Judy, and sweet dog-child, Abby, Bryan is living proof that a good sense of humor and a great imagination can help you overcome life’s toughest challenges. A 100% disabled, 20-year veteran of the US Navy, Bryan has faced numerous adversities: he survived being shot, walked away from a fatal helicopter crash, endured a fall in the engine room of the aircraft carrier Eisenhower during Desert Storm that broke both his ankles, was run over by a tractor-trailer on the interstate, and, in 2016, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, where the final chemotherapy treatment resulted in a heart attack.

When Bryan isn’t cooking or smoking the most delicious food or spending time with friends, telling tales of him and Joey, you’ll find him behind his computer working on a new book or two.