Brian Wignall has a passion for serving in the military and selling homes. And for several months in 2022 he combined his roles as soldier and Realtor, selling properties in Carmel while stationed at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq.

And his clients had no idea.

The Carmel resident kept his deployment a secret to everyone except his inner circle, enlisting the help of his team to do showings and other tasks that he couldn't fulfill. He cut back significantly on his real estate hours but made it work when he could - often in the middle of the night in Iraq.

"Most of the time, it's an eight-hour time difference," Wignall said. "Most real estate I'm doing at 3 a.m. A lot of it is electronic. I can be on a computer in my barracks or my tent with good internet service and conduct all of that. I'm really blessed in the fact that I've got some really strong team members. I've got people I can depend on if there's something I can't do. We have a really tight-knit team."

Wignall will again perform his real estate duties remotely, when he can, after he deploys with his unit at the end of this year. Just like last time, he'll lean on his F.C. Tucker Co. team members in Indiana to help fulfill duties can't do.

An unexpected path

Wignall wasn't initially thrilled about enlisting in the U.S. Army. In 1984, the Carmel High School graduate joined to receive G.I. Bill benefits to pay for college at Indiana University.

"I had not really looked at joining the military after high school," said Wignall, a master sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and Realtor at F.C. Tucker Co. "I thought I'd hate it. I thought I would just go in for a couple of years, get out, go to IU where I wanted to attend school and put it behind me."

But to Wignall's surprise, he liked his time in the Army a lot more than he anticipated. He enjoyed the discipline of the military, the camaraderie and the fellowship with other soldiers.

In the end, Wignall transitioned into the Army reserves after three years active duty and began studying at Indiana University, as originally planned. He obtained a degree in religious studies and business.

Over the following decades, Wignall fulfilled billets for infantryman, paratrooper, drill sergeant, combat engineering and recruiting, which includes a mix of active-duty and reserve roles. He left the Army for nearly a decade but rejoined the reserves in 2012. Recently, Wignall has served as the Master Religious Coordinator for the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (Army Reserve) at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

For 10 years, Wignall has worked full-time at F.C. Tucker Co. and leads his own team, The Wignall Group. Prior to that, he worked in real estate investing alongside his wife, Heather. Throughout his career, Wignall has grossed more than $130 million in sales.

Army retirement nears

In April 2025, Wignall will retire from the Army when he reaches his mandatory retirement date.

"But other than that, I would probably be serving until I was 70 or 80," he said. "I really enjoy it, and I really love soldiers. I love working with soldiers and encouraging other soldiers and mentoring."

Wignall said his wife is key to helping him balance his two professions when he's away.

"My wife is absolutely a rock star," he said. "She is one of the primary reasons I can feel confident going overseas as a soldier. She is not only a phenomenal mother to our kids, but is a great business partner as well. Her wise counsel, creativity and encouragement is one of the major reasons behind any success I've experienced in real estate."

The Wignalls have six children and four grandchildren.

Multiple honors

Brian Wignall has earned several awards as a Realtor and soldier. According to his F.C. Tucker online biography, they include:

Indy Real Producers magazine's Realtor of the Year for 2023 Selected by Real Trends as one of the top 1.5 percent Relators in the nation for 2022 F.C. Tucker Platinum Producer (in excess of $17 million in annual sales 2020-2023) Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement medal Global War on Terror Service Medal Good Conduct Medal Related posts: Island giving: Canceled flight inspires Carmel doctor's annual Jamaican-themed holiday fundraising party 'We are homeless': With rebuilding yet to begin, future unclear for some Timber Creek condo owners displaced by fire The gift of comfort: Scout donates more than 100 handmade blankets to hospital in memory of late brother Golden milestone: CCS recognizes Carmel High School alum for 50 years of service as science teacher, bus driver Mission accomplished: Carmel man completes latest quest, hiking at all 63 national parks Unbridled joy: Carmel girl draws national attention, inspires others through hobby horse skills