Name: Brian Hommel
Position/Institution: Director of Trademark Licensing at LSU
Number of years in your position: 16 years
Alma Mater(s): Penn State
Hometown: State College, PA

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
I became involved in ICLA when my predecessors were involved. I was encouraged to continue engaging with the ICLA community in order to learn and grow in my role.

2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
My involvement with ICLA has been very rewarding as I have SLOWLY gone from newbie to knowing a little bit. It's been great to meet and learn from so many talented folks who are so willing to share ideas. I also appreciate that I've made many lifelong friends in this industry.

3. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
I was the merch guy in minor league hockey for a number of years and grew tired of working all the nights and weekends. My mom worked at Penn State down the hall from some Derek Lochbaum guy, and when he left for UNC, my mom encouraged me to apply. I didn't know collegiate licensing was a thing, but I did my research and applied. PSU claims I was "Plan B" to Maureen (totally the right choice, btw) and I kept my eyes open for other licensing jobs. LSU opened up, I applied on the last day it was open, and they've been stuck with me ever since.

4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
Getting everyone on the same page is the biggest challenge in a university environment. It's easy for departments to become siloed from one another and open dialogue is important for everyone to maximize opportunities.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Communication is the most important skill I have developed in my career. As an only child, I was a bit more introverted growing up. I never imagined I would be speaking in front of college classes or licensing industry events, but getting out there is an important part of the job and has become easier over time. 

6. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
When people come to me for help, it's usually about beer. I jokingly refer to myself as the beer guy since we have a licensed beer and a branded Bud Light beer. Those who know me know I enjoy knocking back a beer, but I'm not so sure I'm qualified as an expert in licensed adult beverages.

7. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
My mom has been the most influential person in my career. After college, I traveled across the country to work for a minor league baseball team. I was ready to come back home, but my mom encouraged me to stick it out, and that helped chart my career path to where I am now.

8. Who's your role model? Why?
My mom is my role model. She has always been my rock. She's super supportive and strong through good and bad times. Love ya, Mom!

9. What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer nor a philosopher, so I usually just try to learn from people smarter than me (and there are lots of them). However, I would advise folks entering our industry to stay informed on current events in the collegiate space, which keep changing by the minute. Having worked on the retail side of the equation, I also think it's important to keep in mind that we're just one part of the licensing process. Without our factory, licensee and retail partners, and fans, there wouldn't be LDs, so I try to consider them when making decisions.

10. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
In the future, I see Fanatics taking over the world. Kidding (sort of). Consolidation and fragmentation seem to be taking over and I hope we don't get to a point where "college" becomes too burdensome for retailers to figure out or too costly to carry at retail. 

11. If you could choose one amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
If I could add one amenity to the workplace, I would add a cot (see question 13). Hey, other countries have nap time during the day, right?

12. What percentage of your workweek is spent in your office?
It varies, but most weeks I spend about 90% of my workweek in my office.

13. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for? I would have a good chance at winning a medal for sleeping. I'm a terrible sleeper in cars and planes, but I sleep like a champ in a bed or cot.

14. What's your favorite quote?
My favorite quote comes from Wayne Gretzky: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

15. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
If time and money weren't an issue, I would get into traveling. It's cool to experience different cultures and I hope to see more in the future. Hawaii is also on my bucket list.

16. What is your favorite family tradition?
Watching or being involved in the Little League World Series is my favorite family tradition. My grandpa was a security guard for the players' dorms for many years, and I would stay with my grandparents and watch most of the games. I haven't been back since my grandparents passed away, but I hope to get back up there one day. Fun fact: my grandpa would get lapel pins/balls/memorabilia from the teams, and I discovered a 1983 World Champions East Marietta, GA ball autographed by the team, including Joseph Hutchinson from LLWS and CLC fame.

17. What are you really good at that might surprise people?
I'm really good at pinball. I have such a supple wrist.

18. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
What kind of question is this? I need my beauty rest.

19. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is slow and clueless driving. I'm pretty even keeled, but dumb drivers are frustrating and a waste of my time.

20. What is your favorite binge-worthy show or book you are reading right now?
My favorite binge-worthy show right now is Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's like R-rated Seinfeld.