As a Regional Director of Fan Relationship Management Centers, Howard focuses on partner and employee achievements, staff professional development, and revenue generation for Maryland, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, UPENN, & Richmond.
Howard has been with Aspire since August 2012 and has been the Director of the Maryland FRMC since April of 2017, where he oversees a staff of ten people who are spread over New Business, Service & Retention, and Group Sales & Events Teams.
Sports Industry Journey:
Education
Bachelor's Degree | Sport Management | University of West Virginia
Career
Sport Blogger | Fanspeak.com
Contributer | Beyond Sports Network
Ticket Sales Consultant | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Senior Sales Consultant | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Team Leader, New Business | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Manager of Sales & Service | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Director of Sales & Service | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Regional Director | The Aspire Group, University of Maryland
Twitter: @howard_ticker
LinkedIn: Howard Ticker
What is the book (or books you’ve given most as a gift) and why or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?
Anything from Jon Gordon. I think those books cross over great for your work and personal life. Energy Bus and the Hard Hat are my two favorites. To change it up from Jon Gordon, I would recommend How to Win friends and Influence People. That is definitely a book I read once every few years.
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?
Upgraded to a better gym membership. Before 3 years ago or so, I never went to the gym. I had a goal to go everyday and once I proved I can do that for a few years, I wanted to upgrade gyms. Once I have done that it has taken my workouts to the next level and has really helped. Ultimately your health is one of the most important things you can have and making that decision a few years ago is one of the best life decisions I have made.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
We implemented a really cool signing day initiative where anyone who commits to season tickets at our signing day event can sign a letter of intent that was also signed by coach and take a picture in front of a Maryland drop down. Year one it only sold 4 season tickets and some thought it may be worth getting rid of it in its entirety. Instead, we took a step back, reevaluated how it could be more successful, and it was much more successful year two. I think the moral of the story is if something didn’t necessarily work, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. Reevaluate, and try again.
What are some tips you have for building and maintaining relationships in the sports industry? (It could be with a mentor, client, donor, co-worker, etc.)
You need to be sincere and genuine. People can see right through you if you aren't. You have to build the relationship, find common ground, and then see where that takes you. If you go in with an immediate agenda/return, you will never have any meaningful relationships. This goes for a potential client, mentor, and co-worker.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere in the world with anything on it – and you could get a message out to millions or billions – what would it say and why?
Some more Jon Gordon for you! “Monday’s are a great day to focus on what we get to do instead of what we have to do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.” This is a quote that I think about all the time. When you have a “get to” vs “have to” mindset, it makes you a lot more positive and puts a ton in perspective for how fortunate we really are.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)
Investing as much time and energy in and out of the office to building relationships with all the people in your life. Friends, family, staff you oversee, peers, everyone. It’s all about people in your life. Accomplishments are great but its nothing if you have no one to celebrate with.
What are your morning rituals? What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up and go straight to the gym. It is a great way to start my day and get my mind right. Right after that I have a cup of coffee and check my email and twitter to see what’s going on in the world before heading into work.
What are bad recommendations you hear in athletics or in your area of expertise?
So many people say its all about who you know. This is true, but I’ll take it a step further than that. It’s about who knows you. I think too many people rely on that first part and it hurts them. Be the best you can in your current role and you’ll never have to apply for a job again in your life. Too many people focus on their next role but if you build great relationships, and crush it in your current position, the next best opportunity will pursue you, not the other way around. Good things come to those who wait.
What are three to five tangible skills/qualities young people in the sports industry should develop/have to be successful?
Genuine Personality
Work ethic
Openness to learn/being coachable
Passion (have a why)
Positive Attitude
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your 20-something year old self?
Get as involved as much as you can. Volunteer. Network. This is something I wish I did more of as an underclassman. My first internship was not until my summer going into senior year and I was one of those people struggling to find a job their second semester senior year and into my first summer back home from school.
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