Katy’s Spotlight on Women - Kristen Brown, Texas A&M
By Katy Young Staudt, Vice President at TurnkeyZRG
Howdy! (as they say in college station). I am excited to highlight one of the most talented administrators in college athletics for our December newsletter, Kristen Brown, Deputy Athletics Director for Administration and Leadership at Texas A&M.
Kristen and I have worked closely together on several marquee searches over the past few years --most notably-- women’s basketball where Kristen and her team landed Joni Taylor who was the Head Coach at Georgia, to take over for the Aggies.
Kristen was also an integral part of our recent coach searches for Aggie softball, women’s golf, baseball and currently running point to hire a new volleyball coach. She does just about everything in and around the athletic department and is one of Ross Bjork’s most trusted advisors.
I spent a few minutes catching up with Kristen to learn more about her journey, the best restaurant in College Station, and more!
Kristen Brown, Deputy Athletics Director for Administration and Leadership at Texas A&M
What do you love most about your current job?
I honestly feel like I have the best job in the country! I work for an awesome AD, who I was able to come in with shortly after he arrived at A&M and help him establish his vision and culture for the Department. I work at an incredible university that is strong academically, is really unique in its history and traditions, and the passion our former students (we don’t call them alumni) and fans have for A&M is second to none. And finally, and I know it sounds cliché, but I work alongside of some of the most wonderful student-athletes, coaches and staff, who make coming to work every day a lot of fun.
What advice would you give to a young person looking work in college athletics?
1) Who you work for matters – more than a title or money. The best bosses will invest in you, challenge you and put you in positions to grow and be successful. 2) Build genuine and authentic relationships with folks throughout the industry. 3) Comparison is the thief of joy. Your path is your path, so enjoy it and make the most of each step and opportunity along your journey.
Who has had the biggest impact/influence on your career in college athletics (and why)?
I can’t say there’s been one person because I’ve been really fortunate throughout my career to have worked with and for some incredible people and leaders. Wendy Fallen (Big Ten) was my first boss, and she was the first person to believe and invest in me as a young professional. Jim Delany (former Big Ten Commissioner) gave me a leadership opportunity at 22 years old that I had no business being in, but without that and his influence on my career, I’m not sitting here today. Damon Evans (Maryland) has been a mentor to me going back to before we were both at Maryland. He is brutally honest, and has always pushed me to think differently and think bigger. And then my current AD, Ross Bjork. Every day, I get to observe him and his approach, consistency, transparency, inclusivity as well as his ability to connect with people and lead with empathy. He’s just really unique and incredible to learn from.
What is the best/most memorable sporting event you’ve attended?
The most memorable was the Men’s Lacrosse National Championship game in 2017. I was the men’s sport administrator for Maryland at the time. It was memorable for a few reasons: 1) we lost the 2016 championship game in a heartbreaker, so to watch their commitment and focus over the next year and to see it pay off with a championship was special; 2) it was a really enjoyable group of student-athletes to be around…several characters and big personalities on that team! They obviously excelled on the field, but equally as important, excelled off the field in their academic pursuits and community service; and 3) the Women’s program won it all that year as well, so to be able to celebrate both teams winning National Championships…a day apart…in the same venue…was pretty awesome!
Favorite Quote?
The quote I say the most: “You don’t have to get ready if you stay ready!”
My actual favorite quote: “What you keep to yourself you lose. What you give away you keep forever.”
What is your guilty pleasure?
Deep dish pizza (I just ordered a shipment from Lou Malnati’s in Chicago last week), Crumbl cookies and watching any of the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo.
Your “Go To” restaurant in College Station?
1860 Italia!!! It opened about a year and a half ago in South College Station. I grab takeout from there at least once a week, if not more. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but my favorites are the Baked Ziti, Linguini with Pesto, Linguini with Clams, and The John Harvey Salad (*chef’s kiss*)
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Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a highly specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management level positions throughout sports, entertainment and media. Over the past 25 years, TurnkeyZRG has filled more than 1,400 positions throughout sports, entertainment and media. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit and hire the very best management talent. Turnkey now benefits from ZRG’s global footprint, full array of industry practice groups, data-driven, analytical search tools, and technology investment in changing the way executive search/talent recruiting is done. TurnkeyZRG becomes a tech-enabled disrupter of the prior executive search model. For more information about TurnkeyZRG, visit www.turnkeyzrg.com.