Name:  Hung Pham
Position/Institution: Director of Trademarks, University of California, Irvine
Number of years in your position: 2
Alma Mater(s): UC Irvine
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
 
1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
I become involved in ICLA because being new to collegiate licensing and as a department of one person, it has been a big source of support and knowledge as I try to learn the basics to advanced concepts of the industry. 

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
My involvement with ICLA has given me a better chance at making fewer mistakes as a new Trademark Director. Everyone has been so helpful and willing to share information and advice!

3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
I would add an espresso machine to the workplace. I find that people are more willing to chat and share when they have something to sip on.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
The size of the administration of a large institution makes it a big challenge to even know who needs to be involved in a discussion.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Though it is still a work in progress, the ability to actually listen to and hear what someone is saying/communicating has been the most important skill that I have been developing. Otherwise, we are the proverbial "two ships passing in the night."

6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
If time and money weren't an issue, Golf would be my hobby. What other activity can you walk through a park drinking beer without getting in trouble…most of the time?

7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
In my current position, most people request my help with sorting "impossible to find" items to arrive last week. J

8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
The privilege of protecting your alma mater's name, symbols, logos, and reputation is a unique opportunity that I truly enjoy everyday, which is why I decided to pursue a career in collegiate licensing.

9. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
The ICLA community has been incredibly influential in my career as a trademark director. I have benefitted from ICLA's wealth of experience and wisdom in every aspect of this career.

10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
If I didn't have to sleep, I would want to ride my mountain bike more often.

11. Who's your role model? Why?
Justice Thurgood Marshall is my role model. He did what was right no matter how hard it was and how many people tried to stop him.

12. What's your favorite quote?
"You do what you think is right and let the law catch up." – Thurgood Marshall

13. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is when there is no coffee at a conference, and you are three time zones away from home.

14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for?
I would have a good chance at winning a medal for playing cornhole while holding a beverage/beer in my non-throwing hand. 

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've received is that, it is OK to not know exactly what to do in a certain situation because collegiate licensing is always evolving. My advice to someone entering into the field of collegiate licensing would be the same.

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
In addition to coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope that collegiate licensing will be headed to a force for better compliance with social responsibility and overall human rights ideals.

17. What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is when a catchy tune comes on, my kids start to dance and then I try to embarrass them with my own moves.

18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it?
Something I'm embarrassingly good at is that I can karaoke both male and female parts in Starship's 80's song, "Nothing's gonna stop us now."

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
Prior to COVID-19, about 70% of my work-week is spent in my office.

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium?
I am most looking forward to seeing everyone together again, especially after being apart due to COVID-19.