As AKQA's latest strategy/planning hire, Bryan Fuhr is described by his peers as intensely smart, positive, and at times polarizing.

"People either love him or hate him," a former colleague remarked. "But (no one) is liked by everyone."

Fuhr started at AKQA in June of this year, where he bears the director of strategy title. He replaces Craig Walmsley, who married another AKQAer, Katie Harris (now Walmsley). After marrying, the pair moved back to AKQA London where they first met.

In his new role, Fuhr and other planners (Matt Oschner and Jessica Drapiza) are working to get their ideas right before going after the next big get. But his career is more than just a job — it's an altruistic attempt at clearing noise out of the digital space. It's also penance for a mistake he made six years ago.

More after the jump.

In 2002, Fuhr took advantage of a grant program funded by the US government that was created after the Sept. 11 attacks. Through the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) and the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), federal grant money was made available to entice residents to move into or continue residing in Lower Manhattan (below Houston St.).

In short, Fuhr was caught, and later pleaded guilty. He faced 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but was sentenced to just one year probation and a $2,000 fine. Fuhr told us the experience was, "shocking, upsetting and painful." It affected his most personal relationships — but he and those close to him persevered.

Professional and personal references insist he is a different person. We found a tweet he wrote early this morning, in which Fuhr writes, "Making meaningful contributions to the future of mankind."

Some might see that comment as arrogant, but Fuhr explained it like this; "...there's a lot of noise in the digital space. It's my job to cut through it, and help deliver meaningful messages."

His career since 2003 indicates he's good at doing just that. With stays at Ogilvy, R/GA, JWT, Organic and now AKQA, his Cornell/NYU smarts have been well put to use. Each person we spoke with noted Fuhr's intelligence. And although some would say he misused it in his past, the lessons he learned will keep him focused on using it for good in the future.