MIKE WADDELL

FOUNDER | PRINCIPAL

34 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, AND both FORTUNE 500 & START-UP PRIVATE BUSINESS

Michael “Mike” Waddell has built a career out of his love for sports and has enjoyed results-driven success in college athletics, professional sports, and private business over a 34-year career, including time as a NCAA Division I Athletics Director, Multi-Stop Pro Sports President, and a Broadcaster for 5 #NCAA Championship Teams UNC (91-92-93-94) UVA (94).

Waddell is the Founder & Principal of BRENTWOOD, LLC, which he launched in 2013, an industry leading firm focusing in revenue generation, television & digital content production, brand enhancement, fan engagement, and executive search.  In 2023 the company expanded into two verticals, BRENTWOOD PARTNERS & BRENTWOOD MEDIA, while also creating a new North Carolina-focused OTT platform which will launch in July 2023.

During the pandemic Mike served as the President | Governor of the ECHL’s ALLEN AMERICANS Professional Ice Hockey Club, located in Allen, TX, where he led the organization to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022.  Waddell’s biggest accomplishments in DFW were signing a new NHL affiliation agreement with the Seattle Kraken and negotiating a new long-term lease with the City of Allen to keep the team in the Dallas suburb through the 2027 season.   

Prior to joining the AMERICANS, Waddell served as Team President of the Orlando Apollos in the Alliance of American Football, starting in August of 2018. Waddell hit the ground running with the hiring of 24 employees and engaging the Orlando Community with more than 80 out-bound events from October through January, leading into the start of the season in February.  The Apollos sold 5,251 season tickets and averaged 19,648 fans for home contests, pushed by more than 4,000 group tickets per game, while also capturing the AAF Championship in the league’s only season. 

From 2016-2018 Mike worked in NASCAR as a Vice President, helping lead the 30-million-dollar renovation of the Richmond Raceway.  Waddell forged new areas of revenue and brand engagement, first with the Racing Virginia grassroots promotional platform, and later with the THIS IS RICHMOND digital content campaign. In the Fall of 2017, he created of Richmond Raceway E-sports, which was NASCAR’s first track owned e-sports racing team, featuring six drivers and a host of engaged sponsors in NASCAR’s Official iRacing Series.

Waddell has spent the majority of his career as a leader in college athletics, including three years as the Director of Athletics at Towson University, where the Tigers won 11 Colonial Athletic Association Championships and built the $85m SECU Arena and negotiated a $4.75m naming rights deal for the multisport facility.  He has also held Executive Athletics External Leadership positions with the University of Illinois, University of Arkansas, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Akron.

The Newton, NC native began his career in 1991 as a broadcaster with the Tar Heel Sports Network at the University of North Carolina and advanced up the play-by-play ranks at the University of Virginia (1994-97), Appalachian State University (1997-2000), and the U.S. Military Academy (2000-01). While at University of Akron (2001-06) Waddell served as the Zips’ television Executive Producer and play-by-play announcer for football & basketball telecasts with ESPN Regional, FOX Sports Ohio, and Time Warner Cable.

A successful recruiter and developer of young professionals, Waddell has hired, mentored, and managed over 50 associates who have since become senior-level leaders in the sports (NCAA, NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLS, XFL, NHL), entertainment, higher education, and private business verticals.

A 1991 graduate of Guilford College in Greensboro, NC, Waddell later earned his master's degree in sport administration at Ohio University in 2010, which is recognized as the #1 graduate program in the World for Sports Business.

• Guilford College, Bachelor of Arts, Sport Management, 1991

• Ohio University, Master of Arts, Sports Administration, 2010

Read Mike’s full LinkedIn bio here

KEITH TRIBBLE

Managing partner

43 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, PRIVATE BUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT

Keith R. Tribble is the Managing Partner of BRENTWOOD PARTNERS, and has more than 40 years of experience in college athletics, private business, and non-profit management, along with a sharp vision for the future of sports and entertainment.

Tribble previously served as the President and CEO of Jackson Health Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, which is the fundraising arm of Jackson Health System. During his time at JHF Tribble and his team was responsible for raising over $60M in new gifts, which directly provided world-class medical care to children and adults in South Florida, as well as the global community through international outreach efforts.

Tribble enjoyed a successful career in sports administration and business. He served as Executive Vice President and Director of Athletics for the University of Central Florida Athletic Association, Sr. Associate Director of Athletics for UNLV, and Associate Director of Athletics for the University of Florida. He also led three collegiate post-season bowl games as the CEO for the Orange Bowl Committee and Executive Director for the Blockbuster Bowl (currently the Cheez-It Bowl) and Las Vegas Bowl.

Tribble champions the importance of community and demonstrates this while serving on the boards of 100 Black Men of South Florida, Florida Sports Foundation, and speaking engagements at local and national businesses. For his selfless contributions to the community, he was honored by the Orange Bowl Committee and presented with the Trailblazer Community Award. This award recognizes the most accomplished leaders civically and philanthropically throughout the community. 

Tribble attended the University of Florida, where he played offensive guard for three bowl teams. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism (public relations and marketing). He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and the College of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame in 2007. Keith and his wife, Terri, have a daughter, Carlyn, and son Kyle. 

• University of Florida, Bachelor of Science, Journalism, Public Relations & Marketing, 1977

Read Keith’s full LinkedIn bio here

MELISSA DAWSON

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

33 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AND EDUCATION (SECONDARY & COLLEGIAte)

Melissa’s background in education, counseling and social collegiate athletics has helped her to understand what it is like to be part of a team with a great tradition.  She understands the importance of teamwork to build a strong organization and has strong experience in building rapport with colleagues and representing an institution in a myriad of ways.  

Dawson has been part of several Executive Leadership teams at South Carolina State University, Northern Illinois University, University of Tulsa, University of Iowa, University of South Carolina and the University of Kentucky.  She has a keen ability to ideate strategic goals, monitor progress, evaluate performance all driving specific objectives. 

• Drake University, Bachelor of Arts, Education, 1989

• DePaul University, Master of Arts, Counseling|Higher Education, 1996

Read Melissa’s full LinkedIn bio here

STACY DANLEY

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

31 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (SECONDARY & COLLEGIAte)

Stacy Danley, a veteran college athletics administrator, joined BRENTWOOD in January 2023, with a focus on our search and executive consulting practice.
 
Most recently the Director of Athletics at South Carolina State University, Danley established the school’s first-ever capital campaign for the Department of Athletics in the R.I.S.E Major Gift Initiative, which raised more than $1.62 million towards its $2 million dollars goal with funds targeted to increased athletic scholarship funding, major upgrades to track facility and new turf playing surface for the football team on Willie E. Jeffries Field inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
 
Danley, with more than 30 years of experience in athletics administration, previously spent two years with the SLD Sports Marketing Group before joining SC State. Prior to that he served as Athletics Director at Alabama State and Tuskegee universities. He also worked for the J.F. Smith Group, the Southeastern Conference and Auburn, his alma mater.

Danley was athletics director at Alabama State for three years (2010-2012). Prior to his tenure as Hornet AD, he served one year with the J.F. Smith Group, coordinating all fundraising consultant activities under the HBCU division while also managing and facilitating campus departmental assessment initiatives for HBCU clients. Before his work with the J.F. Smith Group, Danley served as director of athletics at Tuskegee (2008-09). 

The former Auburn University running back spent eight years (1997-2005) at his alma mater, six years as the assistant athletic director for External Affairs, before being promoted to associate athletic director for External Affairs.  He spent his last two years at Auburn as the associate athletic director and men's sports coordinator, overseeing six Olympic sports.
 
He lettered four years as a running back at Auburn University, where he earned All-SEC honors and was named the SEC Sophomore of the Year among his athletic accomplishments.  Following his collegiate career, Danley signed NFL contracts with the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts. 

After his professional career, Danley returned to Auburn where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 and a master's in education administration in 1996. 

While completing his master's degree, he spent two years as a graduate assistant in the Auburn athletic department, working in the compliance office where he provided support with NCAA and SEC legislative interpretations. 

Once he completed his master's degree, he moved on to the SEC office where he spent two years, working in compliance, championships and event management.  

Danley and his wife Stephanie have three children -- Lawson, Trace and Landon.

• Auburn Univeristy, Bachelor of Arts, Education, 1993

• Auburn University, Master of Arts, Education, 1996

Read about Stacy here

JESSICA REO

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

30 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Jessica Reo, a veteran athletics administrator with 16 years on Division I senior staff, was named the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women's Administrator at Temple in August 2019.

Reo's stellar career came at UCF (2003-15), where she served 12 years on its athletics staff, the last seven as senior associate athletics director/senior women's administrator.   In her role, she was a member of the Director of Athletics' Executive Leadership team, which helped develop strategic plans and create and implement policies and procedures for the athletics department. She also served as UCF's liaison for gender equity and Title IX issues. She also acted as the department's liaison with Academic Services for Student-Athletes (ASSA), supervised the Departments of Sports Medicine, Strength & Conditioning, and Student Services.

• Florida State University, Bachelor of Science, English

• University of Central Florida, Master of Arts, Sport & Fitness Administration Management

Read Jessica’s full LinkedIn bio here

COURTNEY VINSON

Senior Counsel

15 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP

Courtney Vinson, a former student-athlete with more than 15 years' experience as a Division I athletics administrator, joined the Northern Illinois University athletics administrative team as senior associate athletic director for sports administration on May 21, 2018. Vinson's commitment to her roles is evident in her transition from the University of Memphis, where she served as the associate athletic director for sports services and senior woman administrator, to her current position at NIU. At NIU, she is the sports administrator for the Huskie men's basketball, women's soccer, and wrestling teams, serves as the department's primary liaison to NIU's campus partners, and directs the Athletics Compliance Office. In addition, she represents NIU as the Huskies' Diversity and Inclusion Officer to the NCAA and chairs NIU Athletics' Diversity Integration Group (D.I.G.).

At Memphis, Vinson was a member of the athletics executive and senior staff and oversaw student-athlete welfare issues and the Athletics Compliance Office. She helped to develop and implement athletic department and compliance policies and procedures and was the sports administrator for multiple programs, including women's soccer and softball. She served as a liaison for academic advising and worked with the CHAMPS Life Skills program.

In four years as assistant athletic director for compliance at UCF, she supervised all aspects of the athletics compliance office, created and updated the compliance work plan, instituted a monitoring system, and developed educational compliance programming. She processed NCAA infractions cases and investigated rules violations while liaising with university offices, including academic services, financial aid, admissions, and more.

Before her time at UCF, the Long Island, N.Y., native served as the director of compliance at Clemson University from 2008-11. Her responsibilities included initial eligibility, rules education and interpretations, waivers, monitoring, and all day-to-day compliance activities.

In her first full-time position as assistant director of compliance at Akron (2006-08), she oversaw compliance operations for 11 Zips' 17 teams.

Vinson's career trajectory is a testament to her continuous growth and development. Following her 2003 graduation from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism while also competing as a member of the track and field team, Vinson went to Marshall University as a graduate assistant in compliance. She furthered her education, earning her master's degree in athletic administration in 2006 and also completed internships at Georgia Tech (2005) and Villanova (2006).

During the 2019-20 year, Vinson not only participated in but also successfully completed the NCAA Pathways Program. This program, designed to elevate senior-level athletics administrators as they take the next steps in their careers in athletics administration, provided an experiential learning opportunity for selected participants. Vinson's achievement in this year-long program is a testament to her dedication and drive.

• Florida A&M University, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, 2003

• Marshall University, Master of Arts, Athletic Administration, 2006

Read Courtney’s full LinkedIn bio here

BRIAN HUTCHINSON

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Brian Hutchinson spent more than two decades in higher education, most of which was at Morehead State University. Hutchinson served the last nearly 15 years of his tenure as MSU’s Director of Athletics. During that time, MSU teams won nearly 20 Ohio Valley Conference Championships and represented the league multiple times in NCAA post-season play. Hutchinson’s service saw him chair the OVC Council of Directors of Athletics twice and the Pioneer Football League’s Council of Directors of Athletics three times. He also received national acclaim as he was the President of the Football Championship Subdivision’s Athletics Directors Association and the Chair of the NCAA Division I Football Committee. 

• Morehead State University, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, 1996

• Morehead State University, Master of Science, Sports Administration, 2001

Read Brian’s full LinkedIn bio here

BOB LEFFLER

EXECUTIVE COUNSEL

55 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN advertising, branding & revenue generation

Bob Leffler has had a marvelous career journey, from teacher to sales director for the Baltimore Colts and the ultimate founding of his flourishing ad agency.

For 27 years The Leffler Agency, Inc. was the leading team sports ad agency in the USA with 40+ clients and as a sports boutique, it operates in 20+ markets. With headquarters in Baltimore and offices in Tampa and Providence, the agency serves 25 university revenue sports programs and has clients in MLB, NHL and the NFL. Additionally, the agency does race courses in Maryland and Virginia and also has broadcast media clients in 3 states. Leffler’s hallmark was to meet the practical needs of clients without needless flair and expense.

Leffler has had a front-row seat for events affecting pro and college sports, including the Colts' ill-fated decision to draft John Elway and their "Midnight Ride" to Indianapolis. Leffler's career put him "on the wall" for many major stadium developments and sales campaigns-and made him a witness to the successes and missteps of team owners and politicians.

Bob’s book, The Guy on the Wall, provides a frank chronicle of those events that shaped sports history.

• Towson University, Bachelor of Science, History/Social Science/English, 1968

• Morgan State University, Master of Arts, US History, Pop Culture Emphasis, 1974

Read Bob’s full LinkedIn bio here