Senior Director of Business Development | Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)

John is responsible for managing all membership within SFIA and launching new projects such as the Consumer Electronics Show Sports Tech initiative and the SFIA Start-Up Challenge at the Industry Leaders Summit. When John isn’t fundraising, he spends time with family and friends. He is an avid reader and student of learning and at least one weekend every fall you can find John in The Grove cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels.

EDUCATION & DEGREE(S) ACHIEVED: Masters, Sports Business, Georgetown University; BA, Journalism, University of Mississippi

MOST IMPORTANT THING I HAVE LEARNED: Everyone is trying to sell their service or a product to you. What I’ve learned is how to create value for your prospects. And, if you can create that value before they realize they need it, you’re golden. Once you stop worrying about what you want, and start focusing on what they want, you’re miles ahead of the competition.

BEST ADVICE I WAS GIVEN OR THAT I WOULD GIVE: You can learn something from every person no matter his or her status or “intelligence”. What better way to gain an edge than learning from a person who’s done it?

BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE OVERCOME: Finding a job where I feel I make a difference and contribution.

WHAT OR WHO HAS ENABLED YOU TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL: My family is the sole reason of my success. I’ve always been held to high standards and am much better because of it. There’s tremendous power in always raising the bar.

BIGGEST LIFE LESSON: Stop looking forward so much – slow down and bask in the moment, appreciate your successes and failures, because, before you know it, the next collection of successes and failures will already be in motion.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN TWO WORDS: Ultra-Competitive