Brett Wagner recognized that there is a real need in Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia for more labor and handyman help. He started doing jobs for friends and neighbors, like brush clearing, masonry, fencing, and patios and walkways. As referrals grew, he realized “there could be ten of me doing this kind of work” in the area. He launched NexOps Labor and Trade Services (named after his son, Nexus) in November 2023. The business has grown steadily ever since; he is now booked several months out.
Wagner’s focus is “to create optimal outdoor spaces” for clients’ lifestyles, ranging from brush removal, to installing pavers and patios, to building fences, pergolas and outdoor kitchens. He has invested in specialty equipment like concrete and tile saws for detailed masonry work, and a tractor and brush hog to tackle tough clearing jobs including cat claw, bear grass, and mesquite.
Wagner particularly likes restoring old walls and structures. “It’s satisfying to redo the mortar on a 100-year old rock wall, for example,” he said, “and preserve that bit of our area’s history.”
The NexOps core crew of four includes both skilled tradesmen and general laborers. Wagner also likes to give young workers the opportunity to gain experience, as he did with Grayson Gehlert, son of a friend, before he went into the Coast Guard. “It’s hard physical labor that grows their work ethic,” Wagner said. “I work right along side of them, leading by example, encouraging them to keep up and persevere.”
Wagner credits retired general contractor Howard Brollier as being an important mentor who helped Wagner get NexOps up and running. Brollier moved to the area eight years ago after building homes in southern California for 30 years. He was groundskeeper at the Sonoita fairgrounds for a few years, where his wife, Donna, still teaches yoga. They met Wagner through mutual friends.
Wagner did jobs on Brollier’s ranch south of Adobe Canyon one day a week when he was starting out, working on fencing, outbuildings, and the like. As NexOps started taking off, Brollier advised Wagner about aspects of bigger jobs, and helped directly from time to time. They still stay in touch regularly.
“Brett is a good guy, and just what the community needs,” Brollier said. “He is in it to help the community, and do what needs to be done. More than once he has stuck around to help a customer with a task that came up at the last minute.”
Matt McCorkle of Elgin has known Wagner for four years. He hired NexOps for several jobs on his property, including an area of pavers behind his barn, and a tricky storm door installation. McCorkle had “paid a pretty penny” for the storm door some months before, but found it didn’t fit when they went to install it. Wagner and his craftsman, Mike King, figured out how to modify the door and framing to make it all work.
McCorkle likes working with Brett because “he is fair, a hard worker, and very responsive about returning calls. He is willing to come back for smaller jobs.”
With up to ten requests for estimates each week, the team is likely to expand in coming months, as Wagner finds people with the right combination of trade skills and shared belief in the community service culture he is creating.
Wagner grew up in Vail, but he knew he wanted to live in Sonoita by age five. Fishing and motorcycling with his father connected him to this area and planted the dream to live here someday. It took a few decades, but Wagner has now put down solid stakes in the area through his passions for construction, winemaking and service to others.
Wagner’s path to living and working in Sonoita took several interesting turns and life changes. His career in law enforcement with the Pima County Sheriff’s office ended after nine years when an accident left him with a broken back and pelvis. Facing a long, painful recovery, he drew on the discipline and focus he learned through childhood pursuits of martial arts and golfing.
Wagner’s full commitment to his rehabilitation led him into his first independent business as a personal trainer. In addition to coaching for injury recovery and general fitness, he specialized in the behavioral health aspects of wellness. He particularly liked working with veterans.
That led to him building an event planning company, which oversaw suppliers, contractors and many moving parts to produce large-scale happenings for veterans organizations. It’s an inherently stressful business. Finally, in 2017, after a client cancelled a major event at the last minute, Wagner said, “Enough. It’s time to move to Sonoita.”
By that time, Wagner had also developed a passion for winemaking, and he quickly became part of Sonoita’s winery world. Over the years, he worked at Rune, Deep Sky, Autumn Sage, Sunset Ride, and held head winemaker positions at Flying Leap and Twisted Union. He now works at Najar Cellars. He and his wife, Autumn, whom he met in 2022 when their children were in Elgin School together, are developing a label of their own called Rancho Castillo.
When asked what is his favorite “Yes!” moment in the winemaking process, Wagner said, “Bottling day—when the wine has finished its two-year journey and is ready to go into the bottle. Sometimes it turns out as we had hoped, sometimes it’s different, sometimes even better. The wine will have a mind of its own; it’s gonna do what it’s gonna do. My favorite time is the bottling day celebrations with family and friends.”
Wagner is also committed to public service. He joined the Arizona Rangers back in his law enforcement years, and is still an active Ranger with the Benson Company today. They help provide security and crowd management for festivals, rodeos, high school sports events and the like.
Wagner’s paid work allows him to offer volunteer services to organizations and neighbors in need. He built a wall and door in the Sonoita Fire Department building to separate the dorm room and make it quiet enough to sleep. He recently made a proposal to Empire Ranch to repair siding and other wind damage to the historic buildings. “I have a real commitment to give back to the community,” Wagner said.
He can be reached at BrettWagner.nexops@gmail.com.