Bryan Wilburn, Stadium Service Technician at the Cincinnati Bengals' Paycor Stadium, embodies several core tenants of the NFL's Salute to Service campaign that connect military appreciation with the game of football. Wilburn served in the United States Marine Corps from 1993-97, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., with the Eighth Engineers Heavy Equipment Platoon. He was deployed twice with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, serving aboard the USS Nassau and later as acting heavy equipment section head aboard the USS Portland.
While deployed, Wilburn was active in several military operations including Operation Assured Response, a stabilization and evacuation effort for the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. He also served at Operation Deny Flight, which provided support to NATO's no-fly zone enforcement over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Operation Joint Endeavor, a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement effort.
Wilburn was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal in recognition of his efforts throughout Exercise Destined Glory, a Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment in which Marines trained with forces from nine countries. During the exercise, he conducted critical repairs on a fleet of seven earthmovers and forklifts, and was commended for his initiative in identifying potential mechanical issues before taking corrective action to ensure equipment was at full readiness.
Wilburn applied his hands-on experience from his Marine Corps tenure to his role at Paycor Stadium, where he has worked since its opening in 2000. During the early years of what was then known as Paul Brown Stadium, Wilburn constructed the building's garage from the ground up. He is responsible for developing a fleet of approximately 130 pieces of agricultural equipment, implements and vehicles, and over the past 25 years has fabricated numerous projects that contribute to the stadium's operational and maintenance needs.
On game days, Wilburn can be found setting up bench areas, as he oversees the process of ensuring the heat-benches and cool-zones function properly. He serves as a liaison to numerous operational departments and attends to any mechanical needs that arise during each game.
Wilburn remains in close contact with members of the 22nd Expeditionary Unit nearly three decades later, and still makes time to reunite nearly annually to celebrate milestones and relive memories from days in the service.
Wilburn and his wife, Robyn, have been married for nearly 20 years and live in Mason, Ohio. They have two daughters, Claire and Rachel.
