Brandt Hutzel has a diverse background which eventually led him to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to serve as the Technology & Engineering Education and Integrative STEM Content Advisor. Brandt worked in industry; building railcars, welding, operating CNC manufacturing equipment, building mine conveyors, assembling air compressors, and worked in construction. He was a middle and high school teacher who spent 19 years teaching Technology & Engineering Education and STEM courses in 3 different school districts. Additionally, he was a Technology Student Association (TSA) Chapter Advisor for 16 years and served in state and national level leadership positions including President of the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association (PA-TSA) and President of the Technology & Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP).

Inspired by the excitement he observed in students and teachers during the transition of industrial arts to technology education, Brandt began his collegiate career at California University of Pennsylvania in 1997. He began teaching at Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, PA in 2000, where he designed and delivered innovative curriculum, while at the same time working to complete graduate studies at Ball State University. Fast forward 7 years, Brandt was recruited to create a Technology & Engineering Education program at Richland Jr/Sr High School in Johnstown, PA that became a recognized model in Pennsylvania. Finally, he designed and implemented a grade 7-12 STEM program at Bishop McCort Catholic High School and Divine Mercy Catholic Academy in Johnstown, PA. These experiences have thoroughly prepared him for his current position at PDE.