Alumnus profile: Michael Brenner '67
Michael BrennerMichael J. Brenner '67 is chief financial officer, executive vice president and a director of The Related Companies, LP, positions he has held since 1996. He is responsible for overseeing the accounting, treasury, information systems, risk management and human resources divisions of the company.
Previously Brenner was a managing partner of the Industry Programs and Client Satisfaction initiatives at Coopers & Lybrand from 1993 to 1996, managing partner of its Detroit group of offices from 1986 to 1993, and chairman of its National Real Estate Industry Group from 1984 to 1986.
From 1977 to 1984, Brenner was a general practice partner in the Detroit office of Coopers & Lybrand, specializing in services to clients in the real estate industry. Brenner graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and from the University of Michigan with a Master of Business Administration.
The Current: What led to you to study at U of D?
Brenner in 1967 U of D yearbook
Brenner: I liked the business program and the fact that I could take Accounting classes in my freshman year because I thought I wanted to be a tax attorney. At the time, the University had a program where you could take three years of undergraduate and go into Law school.
What did you learn at the University that you still use on a daily basis? Has your education influenced your career path?
The knowledge that you gain in college is not what you study, it's the ability to think and solve problems. Nothing in the curriculum influenced me to go into public accounting. What did was tours of Big Eight accounting firms, which were arranged through Beta Alpha Psi [the accounting honor society].
We got to meet partners in the firms and understand what they did and what kind of lifestyles they had. Prior to that time, I didn't have a good understanding of what public accounting, as practiced in the Big Eight, entailed.
What do you remember most about your time at the University—friends, classes, professors? What made your University experience unique?
I probably remember the professors the most. They were excellent, particularly Ron Horowitz, who taught Finance. I enjoyed the subject and he was able to explain it in a way that was interesting and easy to understand.
The other thing I enjoyed was intramural athletics—baseball, handball, badminton, football. I played sports regularly when I wasn't studying. I think it was the competition that I enjoyed.
How did your University experience prepare you for the challenges and opportunities in your career and life?
First, it gave me a good technical grounding in business. Second, I think I learned and developed leadership skills through student government and Delta Sigma Pi fraternity activities.
What advice would you give today's business students?
Go above and beyond what's expected, both in school and in life in general. Have a plan about where you want to be in the next five to 10 years. Never go to a business meeting without having a plan about what you want to accomplish.
Prepare for meetings and be an active, outspoken participant. Follow through and meet your commitments, do what you said you were going to do.
Most importantly, keep a healthy balance between your personal and work life and pursue a career that you enjoy.