A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Derek Braggs

A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Derek Braggs

Derek Braggs grew up in Valparaiso and is currently living, working, and volunteering within the community. His work as a senior financial advisor and his volunteering at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest benefit the community of Valpo in different ways. 

“I grew up in Valpo, went to school down in Bloomington, and graduated from Indiana University,” Braggs said. “I actually spent the first seven years of my career in environmental sciences before I moved over to the financial world back in 2011. For the last 12 years, I have been a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch.”

Braggs is a senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He helps community members manage their financial lives, manage their investments, prepare for retirement, and prepare to send their children to college. 

Before entering the financial world, Braggs worked in environmental sciences. When he transitioned into working in finance in 2011, he wanted to continue being active in the environmental world as well. He was a board member for the Dunes Learning Center for a few years and then began volunteering at what is now known as Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest. 

Braggs’s main focus is helping organize and put on the summer Acorn Concert Series that Gabis Arboretum hosts. The series typically consists of five events from the beginning of June through early October.

“They have a beautiful setting out there for live music; it's a 330-acre piece of property,” Braggs said. “When you pull into the parking lot and you walk into the venue, you feel like you're out in the country in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, and they've got a stage set up out there right off of the Railway Garden.” 

Braggs has been going to concerts and appreciating live music since he was about 15 years old, and he now has kids of his own. It is difficult for him and many other community members to travel to big cities for concerts, so Braggs is trying to recreate that live music experience right here in Valparaiso at a beautiful venue. 

“The place is perfect for live music, and I've always been into live music,” Braggs said. “I really enjoy those nights when we have the shows out at the arboretum. I think we've been doing a good job, and we're providing a real live music experience for the people of Valpo.”

Braggs explained the active music scene in Valpo makes the town feel like it has a heartbeat. Local talent opens for the headlining artists of all of the concerts in the series. The series this year is bringing in a lot of talented tribute bands as well as the Linda Ronstadt Experience. 

Braggs has enjoyed concerts and the live music experience since he was young. He has strived to bring that experience to Valpo, and he has succeeded. 

“I think the arboretum is a little bit unique in that it feels like you're walking into a concert; it doesn't feel like you're walking into a park,” Braggs said. “I think that bringing that into the community, I'm happy with it. I'm proud of what we've done at the arboretum, and I hope that we can continue to do it for a long time.”

For more information regarding the Acorn Summer concert series, please visit https://www.pnw.edu/gabis-arboretum/events-and-programs/acorn-concert-series/