Get to know about the ICLA membership through the monthly 20 Questions segment. This month the spotlight turns to Monica Middendorf, trademark licensing marketing assistant at Arizona State University.

Name: Monica Middendorf
Position/Institution: Trademark Licensing Marketing Assistant/Arizona State University
Number of years in your position: First
Alma Mater(s): Portland State University and currently attending Arizona State University 
Hometown:  Hillsboro, Oregon

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA? I came to licensing from a 10-year stint on the production/manufacturing side of the business. I wanted to learn/read/absorb as much information as possible and sought out any resources I could to assist in my transition. ICLA was the most prominent and forthcoming with information. The daily emails from the ICLA Community encouraged a wide range of information for me to repeatedly access.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career? It has encouraged me to see how different sizes of universities deal with similar issues. I am also exceedingly pleased to see how willing everyone is to work together to offer helpful solutions. It is always exciting to be a part of a passionate community that is constantly dedicated to improvement, learning and adaption.

3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be? This workplace came with so many amenities that were not accessible to me in my previous workplace, that it almost feels greedy to ask for more. I can say I am MOST GRATEFUL for the amenity and encouragement of continuing my education without the financial burden to my family. I am a life learner and this environment is positively inspirational.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment? I have found that the processes and controls have been a challenge to adapt to. I am still learning how to accomplish needed tasks or how to get approvals for projects/expenses. It's very different from walking into an owner's office, getting permissions and running forward. The checks and balances are rather endearing to my accounting mind, but challenging to my "get it done" mindset.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career? The willingness to help others any time that I can. It seems simple, but I cannot tell you over the years, that this single element has come back to me more times than education, experience and assets. If there is any way that I can help a co-worker, client, account or group, I just don't see any reason not to. We all have skills and contacts from varying experiences that can be useful to others.  I love collaborating to discover how we can bring those assets to the current situation to promote growth and cooperation. People remember when you helped them. They rarely remember how many titles you have. It encourages long-term relationships when you are willing to reach out and lend a helping hand.

6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue? Gardening. Hands down. I love the hard work that it takes to un-do years of neglect, the slow growth back to beauty and the absolute joy of walking into something that you helped grow from the ground up, literally. And if this garden is in the yard of a 100+ year old house that I also restored, I would just assume I was in heaven.

7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with? Organizing/prioritizing. I have a gift with chaos management. If only we could put that on resumes as a technical skill.

8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing? In my career, I was lucky enough to meet many buyers, licensing directors and product developers that were so fabulous to work with and learn from. The opportunity came up, based on those relationships, right in my back yard, with people that I truly enjoyed and respected. It was a no-brainer that I atleast apply for the position. I was just keeping my fingers crossed that their past experiences with me were equally as beneficial for them so they would want to continue working with me.

9. Who has been the most influential person in your career? I have to say there have been two that really stand out for me. Rob Johnson, previous owner of CTBeat and currently with Wildcat Retro Brand, was the first person I worked with, who literally knew everyone and taught me this business from its roots. I was so lucky to start my career with him as my guide. He has been in this industry for 30 years and had so much to share. Mr. Personality taught me the importance of relationships in business, of taking that extra step when others would not, of saying yes, even when you aren't sure that is the answer, of just making things work. I learned the balance of strategic vs tactical skills and how to embrace which skills you own vs which ones you acknowledge in others. The other person who I feel was a huge influence on my abilities as a woman in the marketplace was Peggy Eyanson of the Fiesta Bowl. She unknowingly displayed to me the balance of being gracefully strong, of how to be a cooperative leader, of how to make the right choices in business unfailingly, and how to encourage insane amounts of work out of people when they are exhausted. Hot market, and its chaos and ever-changing demands, can bring out the best and worst in people and she was an astounding example of how to let it bring out the best.  I am forever grateful to both of them for leading me into this business with some real skill, guidance and the voices in my head to keep me moving forward.

10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? READ!! I love books and would eat them up with a couple extra hours in the day.

11. Who's your role model? Why? My dog. He is patient with unruly children, quietly mouthy when he wants something, always excited to be with family, and snuggles at the end of every day. His love is deep and I respect that.

12. What's your favorite quote? "Be nice or leave"

13. What is your biggest pet peeve? Messes in any form: physical, informational, organizational. The good news is that I'm quite skilled at cleaning all of them up so it poses itself as more of a challenge rather than a peeve... or the peeve is inspirational to the challenge? Ha. It's a chicken/egg situation for me for sure.

14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for? Have I mentioned I'm good at taming chaos? Yes, that I might win at.

15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing? The best piece of advice I have ever received is never to underestimate the value of a favor, no matter how big or small. When you help someone, they remember you and licensing is all about relationships. If people have nothing but positive memories of you and experiences with you, there is no end to the possibilities for you. I would pass this same advice on. 

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future? I feel that I have yet to really determine that. I am not quick to assume and feel I need more time on this end of licensing before truly giving opinions about its future. I am excited to be a part of its growth regardless.

17. What is your favorite family tradition? Sunday dinners. I love the phones put away, the eye contact and the crazy funny conversations that result.

18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it? Making baby blankets the way my grandma taught me to. I love making them.

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office? 100% - so excited for Winter Symposium to expand my views!

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium? The seminars before the trade show holds a great amount of interest for me. I am always excited to find new ways to improve my work production and am hoping to take away a few key ideas. Of course, after the learning, I will be most excited to see my old friends and make new ones at the show and see what new products are developing.