anna di marco networking interview
TRANSCRIPT
Kevin FlaneryBy: Anna Di Marco
Overview
Age: 44
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky
President, Churchill Downs Racetrack
Senior VP, Churchill Downs Inc.
Journey to Success
First Job: Cutting grass for the grade school
College Education: B.A. in psychology, Bellarmine College (1987) University of Kentucky College of Law (1990)
Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet: Deputy secretary and legislative liaison (Oct 1996-May 2000)
Finance and Administration Cabinet: Deputy secretary (June-Dec 2000) and Secretary (Jan 2001-Dec 2002)
Hagan Properties: President and chief operating officer
Churchill Downs Inc: VP of national public affairs (2005-Feb 2008) and senior VP of national public affairs and communications (March 2008-July 2009)
Advice
http://archive.courier-journal.com/VideoNetwork/1908505976001/Churchill-Downs-track-President-Kevin-Flanery-on-the-Sept-meet
“If it is your passion, pursue it. Think about what the sport can be, not what it has been. We need creative thinkers to
present the sport to the next generation.”
Admirations
Executive most admired: Abraham Lincoln
Brand most admired: NFL
When asked what stands out in the sports world…
“The PGA Tour, with how they are reacting to the economy and reinvigorating their product with both
the World Golf Championships and their season-ending tour championship.”
Gloria Martin
Sources
http://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com/our_people/management/flanery
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2009/09/20090921/Careerspeople/Spotlight-Kevin-Flanery.aspx?hl=In%20The%20Office&sc=0
Background
Born: January 11, 1977
Raised: on a ranch near Johnson City, Texas
Lyndon B. Johnson High School
Began interning for the saints
College: B.S. in agribusiness at Texas A&M University
Work Experience
Post College: worked for the Saints
2003: Took over management of the New Orleans VooDoo (AFL)
Named leagues top executive
2008: went back to Saints after hurricane Katrina
Publically identified as successor as principle owner of Saints
Chairs the NFL Employee Benefits Committee
Self View
Benson LeBlanc is a link between her grandfather’s business savvy and the new world of social media, naming rights, and mobile technology
View of Others
“Rather than being the owner's granddaughter and coming in here trying to change everything, she was trying to learn everything. She went from department to department, and she really listened a lot. She asked a lot of questions, and I think that serves her well today.” -Saints CFO/Executive Vice President Dennis Lauscha
“I believe she’s driven by the desire to be taken seriously and to be recognized as a successful businessperson in her own right.” -Bob Brown, former Managing Director of the Business Council of New Orleans
Personal Branding Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACtKswlcJrc
Sources
http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/staff/rita-benson-leblanc/fc011079-e601-4976-90f0-feb80d15851d
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Benson_LeBlanc
https://www.netjets.com/ascend/articles/sport/rita-benson-leblanc/