Mast, Brian, 1980-

Brian Jeffery Mast (born July 10, 1980) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 18th congressional district since 2017.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he graduated from South Christian High School in Byron Center, Michigan in 1999. After graduation, Mast enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in May 2000 and went to become a combat engineer. In 2006, he transitioned to the active U.S. Army and became an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Mast later joined the elite 28th Ordnance Company, a special operations explosive ordnance disposal unit that works alongside personnel of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 19, 2010, while clearing a path for United States Army Rangers in Kandahar, Mast stepped on an IED along the road. The explosion resulted in the amputation of both his legs and his left index finger. During his twelve years of service in the U.S. Army, he received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with "V" for valor device.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Mast was hired as an explosives specialist for the United States Department of Homeland Security. While recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Mast provided explosive and counter-terrorism expertise to the Office of Emergency Operations at the National Nuclear Security Administration from July 2011 to February 2012 and as an instructor of Home Made Explosives for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Having attended Palm Beach Atlantic University and American Military University, he earned an A.L.B. from Harvard University Extension School in 2016.

On June 8, 2015, Mast announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination to the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 18th congressional district, defeating five opponents and winning the first of his three terms in November 2016. In Congress, Mast strives to serve as he did on the battlefield: without regard for personal gain or personal sacrifice. He is a member of two committees, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.