Brandon Short Penn State Board of Trustees Candidacy

[BrandonShort43]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

 

[BrandonShort43]

Also, apologies for being late to the game about posting here.

 

[Howie'81]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

Excellent Brandon. You can count on my support.

 

[maxxedout]

Happy to vote for you. Considering future candidacy myself. Best of luck, and congrats on all of your incredible accomplishments!

 

[BrandonShort43]

Excellent Brandon. You can count on my support.

Thanks, I appreciate your support!

 

[BrandonShort43]

Happy to vote for you. Considering future candidacy myself. Best of luck, and congrats on all of your incredible accomplishments!

Thanks, I would be happy to give you insight in the future about what I learn through this process.

 

[Nitt1300]

Brandon, could you describe what your intended approach to the entrenched powerbase of the BOT would be? I ask because while I think the current "A9" have had the best of intentions, the balance of power hasn't changed one bit.

I guess I'm looking for a grenade throwing consensus builder - and realizing that it's a very daunting task.

 

[fairgambit]

I appreciate the post, Brandon, and it appears you are a worthy candidate. That said, I will evaluate your candidacy just I will do with all the others who run. You will need to earn my vote and from what I know about you, you would have it no other way. Good luck!

 

[dogpa]

Brandon, you can also count on my vote. My Brother-in-law was inducted into the McKeesport HOF last year. George Smith was also being inducted. I thanked him for sending you to us. He was a neighbor of my wife's family growing up and a true gentleman. Of course, he spoke highly of you. My favorite memory of you off the field was when you decided to come back for your senior year, saying something to the effect...we've been poor so long, one more year won't matter. Even though I'm a Gateway gator at heart, I always had a great respect for you. Good Luck!

 

[91Joe95]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

I'm looking forward to voting for you. It pains me to see what has happened to this university under the current leadership, and your statements over the years leave me confident you will put the best interests of the university first.

P.S. - Don't tell Lavar or Mac Morrison I think you were the best LB on that team. That was a special unit and defense to watch, so thanks for the memories, and most importantly for keeping PSU's well being in your focus.

 

[Achowalogan]

I have already nominated you...the current BOT is sorely lacking in leadership grounded with a moral compass. For the majority of the current BOT members, there is no moral compass. If you have not already been exposed to the principles of servant leadership, you are encouraged to seek personal growth in this direction...

 

[BrandonShort43]

Brandon, could you describe what your intended approach to the entrenched powerbase of the BOT would be? I ask because while I think the current "A9" have had the best of intentions, the balance of power hasn't changed one bit.

I guess I'm looking for a grenade throwing consensus builder - and realizing that it's a very daunting task.

I agree the A9 has had the best of intentions and tried its best to move the needle however I think it is time for fresh, young(ish) energy to continue this work.

The mismanagement of the Sandusky scandal by the 11/11 BOT has done significant harm to PSU. Over the past 6 years we have spoken truth to power and have fought to change the false narrative that the Penn State culture was somehow responsible for this tragedy. Despite all our hard work the power base of the 11/11 BOT is still in control and has done everything in its power hide the truth from the Alumni. During this time, we’ve had spirited debate and a lot of the Alumni have grown frustrated that we haven’t accomplished our objectives. I too am frustrated. But I’ve come to understand that given the entrenched power of the 11/11 BOT we must play both a short and long game. Which means we must apply a legal strategy that will allow correspondences related to the Freeh report to be made public and continue to apply public pressure on the BOT to offer an apology and to function in a more transparent manner. For better or worse, my experience as a professional football player offers me a media platform that most other trustees do not possess. If elected, I will use that platform to put pressure on the Board to institute much needed changes and to rectify the mistakes of the past.

It is also important to build a coalition to help the cause of getting the truth out. I believe there are some new members of the board who may be open to hearing the truth of the matter. The key is to have conversations with them and get them to see that steps must be taken by the university to get the true story out. This will be the only way to getting our Alumni untied once again.

 

[BrandonShort43]

I appreciate the post, Brandon, and it appears you are a worthy candidate. That said, I will evaluate your candidacy just I will do with all the others who run. You will need to earn my vote and from what I know about you, you would have it no other way. Good luck!

I appreciate you keeping an open mind and giving me the opportunity to earn your vote. I know it’s a tough road ahead and there are some very worthy candidates in the race. I look forward to rolling out my detailed platform in the coming weeks and winning you over. My candidacy will focus on three key areas 1. Board Governance 2. Tuition Increases 3. State Funding. I also, believe it is important that the BOT have diverse voices and viewpoints to represent the alumni. I hope to bring a unique voice of someone from a low-income background that was able to leverage my time at Penn State to go on not just to the NFL but get an MBA at Columbia and live abroad. I would love to hear directly from you about the issues that are most important to you.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Brandon, could you describe what your intended approach to the entrenched powerbase of the BOT would be? I ask because while I think the current "A9" have had the best of intentions, the balance of power hasn't changed one bit.

I guess I'm looking for a grenade throwing consensus builder - and realizing that it's a very daunting task.

I really hope Brandon will answer this question. It would not be a good sign if he dodged it.

Edit: I see that he responded to Nitt1300's question farther down in this thread. That is good, but the reference to having both "a short and a long game" leads me to wonder whether his emphasis will be on attempting to develop relationships with the people who run the BoT in hopes of persuading them of the need for change (which is the kind of "long game" strategy I would regard as a waste of time and effort), or on publicly agitating for change and accountability (which is what I would hope to see in an A9 member).

Brandon indicated in his post that ."we have spoken truth to power and have fought to change the false narrative." I am curious to know what his personal role in that speaking and fighting has been. I realize that is a tough question, but he will have to be able to answer questions like that in order for his Board candidacy to be successful.

 

[Nitt1300]

I agree the A9 has had the best of intentions and tried its best to move the needle however I think it is time for fresh, young(ish) energy to continue this work.

The mismanagement of the Sandusky scandal by the 11/11 BOT has done significant harm to PSU. Over the past 6 years we have spoken truth to power and have fought to change the false narrative that the Penn State culture was somehow responsible for this tragedy. Despite all our hard work the power base of the 11/11 BOT is still in control and has done everything in its power hide the truth from the Alumni. During this time, we’ve had spirited debate and a lot of the Alumni have grown frustrated that we haven’t accomplished our objectives. I too am frustrated. But I’ve come to understand that given the entrenched power of the 11/11 BOT we must play both a short and long game. Which means we must apply a legal strategy that will allow correspondences related to the Freeh report to be made public and continue to apply public pressure on the BOT to offer an apology and to function in a more transparent manner. For better or worse, my experience as a professional football player offers me a media platform that most other trustees do not possess. If elected, I will use that platform to put pressure on the Board to institute much needed changes and to rectify the mistakes of the past.

It is also important to build a coalition to help the cause of getting the truth out. I believe there are some new members of the board who may be open to hearing the truth of the matter. The key is to have conversations with them and get them to see that steps must be taken by the university to get the true story out. This will be the only way to getting our Alumni untied once again.

That's a solid answer- and now you have my vote for what it's worth.

 

[BrandonShort43]

That's a solid answer- and now you have my vote for what it's worth.

Appreciate it!

 

[BrandonShort43]

I really hope Brandon will answer this question. It would not be a good sign if he dodged it.

LafayetteBear - Please see my answer above. I'm still new to how this message board works so if you can't see the answer please let me know.

 

[Aloha T]

Thanks, I appreciate your support!

Submitted your nomination yesterday! Bonne chance!

 

[massimoManca II]

BS43 - Thank you for posting.

Fairgambit’s post (above) did a great job conveying the sentiments of most who lurk here on the McAndrew Board... feel free to return to this board to ask us about the following BWI McAndrew board equity:

• Snow tires and how they are better than all-wheel-drive
• Car purchasing advice
• Weber grills and Big Green Eggs
• “Who is Hotter” features that are posted by some of our (lonelier) board regulars
• Cutting the cable
• The concept of low-scoring soccer matches
• Cigars and the a-holes that smoke them
• Humanism
• Urinary tract discomfort
• Fonzie the basset hound
• Smut pics from psuro
• Firewood cutting and stacking
• Wood-pellet stoves
• Avoiding container ships at sea
• Travel and entertainment advice
• Electrical and HVAC repair
• Hygeine and grooming
• “...Throwing a hot dog down a hallway”
• Links to videos of our the best cover-songs and favorite bass players
• Auto repair
• Affairs of the heart
• Free legal consultation

Did I mids anything?

 

[fairgambit]

Brandon, could you describe what your intended approach to the entrenched powerbase of the BOT would be? I ask because while I think the current "A9" have had the best of intentions, the balance of power hasn't changed one bit.

I guess I'm looking for a grenade throwing consensus builder - and realizing that it's a very daunting task.

That is a great phrase. I think I will appropriate it for future use.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

BS43 - Thank you for posting.

Fairgambit’s post (above) did a great job conveying the sentiments of most who lurk here on the McAndrew Board... feel free to return to this board to ask us about the following BWI McAndrew board equity:

• Snow tires and how they are better than all-wheel-drive
• Car purchasing advice
• Weber grills and Big Green Eggs
• “Who is Hotter” features that are posted by some of our (lonelier) board regulars
• Cutting the cable
• The concept of low-scoring soccer matches
• Cigars and the a-holes that smoke them
• Humanism
• Urinary tract discomfort
• Fonzie the basset hound
• Smut pics from psuro
• Firewood cutting and stacking
• Wood-pellet stoves
• Avoiding container ships at sea
• Travel and entertainment advice
• Electrical and HVAC repair
• Hygeine and grooming
• “...Throwing a hot dog down a hallway”
• Links to videos of our the best cover-songs and favorite bass players
• Auto repair
• Affairs of the heart
• Free legal consultation

Did I mids anything?

TVs
Various Manly Recipes
AustinNit

 

[fairgambit]

BS43 - Thank you for posting.

Fairgambit’s post (above) did a great job conveying the sentiments of most who lurk here on the McAndrew Board... feel free to return to this board to ask us about the following BWI McAndrew board equity:

• Snow tires and how they are better than all-wheel-drive
• Car purchasing advice
• Weber grills and Big Green Eggs
• “Who is Hotter” features that are posted by some of our (lonelier) board regulars
• Cutting the cable
• The concept of low-scoring soccer matches
• Cigars and the a-holes that smoke them
• Humanism
• Urinary tract discomfort
• Fonzie the basset hound
• Smut pics from psuro
• Firewood cutting and stacking
• Wood-pellet stoves
• Avoiding container ships at sea
• Travel and entertainment advice
• Electrical and HVAC repair
• Hygeine and grooming
• “...Throwing a hot dog down a hallway”
• Links to videos of our the best cover-songs and favorite bass players
• Auto repair
• Affairs of the heart
• Free legal consultation

Did I mids anything?

Elisabeth Shue! (I left out a picture in deference to the seriousness of this thread.)

 

[BrandonShort43]

Good luck to You.


Your statement sounds very, very similar to the statements issued by many of the people who would go on to be elected to the Board (including one of your former Penn State Football Letterman cohorts).

Their statements, when they were running for election, created the same resonance of support from PSU Alumni that your statement has.



Unfortunately, for the vast majority of the people seated on the Board (including the elected members) once they were seated we all found that:

- They were too lazy and disengaged to be aware of the issues facing the University

and/or

- They were too stupid to understand the issues facing the University

and/or

- They were too myopic - one-trick-ponies - to give a damn about the issues facing the University.


The end result, six+ years after Nov 2011, Penn State Governance is - amazingly - in a worse state than it was in 2011.



Hoping you will not enter that same surreal zone when/if you are elected.

I understand your frustration. I can see how people may think I will be similar to Adam because we are both letterman and wore the same number. However, nothing could be further from the truth. I was one of the first and most vocal Letterman when the scandal broke in condemning the way the Board responded and in support of Joe. While I may have moved out of the country I have stayed engaged in the fight. I was honored to be asked by Sue Paterno to MC the 50th anniversary letterman event commemorating Joe's first game that was held last year. I've never backed away from confrontation when it comes to standing up for what is right. And by no means am I naive about what we're up against. If I'm fortunate enough to be elected I plan on fighting for the future of our University just as I always have.

I’m running for the BOT not to revisit the past but to build a better future. Penn State is facing many challenges. If elected; I will apply my years of business experience and my passion for the University to help us meet these challenges head-on.

 

[BrandonShort43]

BS43 - Thank you for posting.

Fairgambit’s post (above) did a great job conveying the sentiments of most who lurk here on the McAndrew Board... feel free to return to this board to ask us about the following BWI McAndrew board equity:

• Snow tires and how they are better than all-wheel-drive
• Car purchasing advice
• Weber grills and Big Green Eggs
• “Who is Hotter” features that are posted by some of our (lonelier) board regulars
• Cutting the cable
• The concept of low-scoring soccer matches
• Cigars and the a-holes that smoke them
• Humanism
• Urinary tract discomfort
• Fonzie the basset hound
• Smut pics from psuro
• Firewood cutting and stacking
• Wood-pellet stoves
• Avoiding container ships at sea
• Travel and entertainment advice
• Electrical and HVAC repair
• Hygeine and grooming
• “...Throwing a hot dog down a hallway”
• Links to videos of our the best cover-songs and favorite bass players
• Auto repair
• Affairs of the heart
• Free legal consultation

Did I mids anything?

Living in England I still cannot wrap my head around low scoring soccer games! And free legal advice is always handy, lol

 

[ga.lion]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

Good luck as the University would be blessed to have you serve.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Brandon; Thanks for getting involved and thanks for allowing us to participate. Asking for others opinion is a very good start.

Impressive resume, especially the post football career. Your international experience and connections could be very helpful to the University. Perhaps your connections in the financial world and international power brokers would be interested in helping finance various departments, research, and specialties as well develop cooperative programs on various aspects of research and education with international universities and companies.

I do have a few questions/suggestions. If you are living in London, how will that affect your ability to be closely involved in the various aspects of governance? Will that isolate you from developing the necessary relationships with the faculty, students, alumni, employees, political bigwigs, corporations, and other key groups involved with the University? Or have you retired or transferred back to the US?

On governance, are you aware of how the PMA took over the board in the 90s, illegally changed the charter, and now the board is self-selected by a BoT subcommittee that ensures the old boy network is in charge? Is there a better way to select the Labor and Industry members that is more open, fair, and just?

How do we break the ties between major businessmen and the politicians that use the University to their personal advantage? With only nine alumni elected reps how effective can they be?

There is a lot of work to do with the BoT. Wish you and others the strength and courage it will take.

 

[PaFootbalGuy]

One of our best LB's, and a shining example of achievement in a "real" career after football. An essentially perfect embodiment of the grand experiment and what Penn State football is all about.

Good luck and your leadership is sorely needed!

 

[LafayetteBear]

LafayetteBear - Please see my answer above. I'm still new to how this message board works so if you can't see the answer please let me know.

Mr. Short: I saw your reply to Nitt1300 after I submitted my original post. Thank you for that. I then went back and edited my original post in order to posit a couple of questions I have concerning your attitude regarding the folks who run the Board of Trustees (i.e., the Trustees who are NOT elected by the Alumni), and your intended strategy for dealing with them. Those are tough questions, but your answers will likely be deemed important to a number of people who post here regularly. As you contemplate your answers and your voter solicitation strategy, consider that the A9 has for several years included a number of people who had (and have) both sterling resumes and good intentions, but who ultimately produced little in the way of tangible results.

Incidentally, I would readily agree with your statement that your background provides you with a more prominent media platform than other A9 Trustees. The question is more on how you would propose to use that media platform.

 

[BobPSU92]

I understand your frustration. I can see how people may think I will be similar to Adam because we are both letterman and wore the same number. However, nothing could be further from the truth. I was one of the first and most vocal Letterman when the scandal broke in condemning the way the Board responded and in support of Joe. While I may have moved out of the country I have stayed engaged in the fight. I was honored to be asked by Sue Paterno to MC the 50th anniversary letterman event commemorating Joe's first game that was held last year. I've never backed away from confrontation when it comes to standing up for what is right. And by no means am I naive about what we're up against. If I'm fortunate enough to be elected I plan on fighting for the future of our University just as I always have.

I’m running for the BOT not to revisit the past but to build a better future. Penn State is facing many challenges. If elected; I will apply my years of business experience and my passion for the University to help us meet these challenges head-on.

Brandon, thanks very much first for volunteering your time and efforts to our great university and, second, for so eloquently communicating your goals if elected. I will review the platform of every candidate in this year's trustee election, but I am very impressed with you and am confident that you would be an outstanding representative of Penn State.

 

[BlueBand]

WHAT TIME DO THE LOTS OPEN??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe I'm going to like a Barry post.

 

[BrandonShort43]

I really hope Brandon will answer this question. It would not be a good sign if he dodged it.

Edit: I see that he responded to Nitt1300's question farther down in this thread. That is good, but the reference to having both "a short and a long game" leads me to wonder whether his emphasis will be on attempting to develop relationships with the people who run the BoT in hopes of persuading them of the need for change (which is the kind of "long game" strategy I would regard as a waste of time and effort), or on publicly agitating for change and accountability (which is what I would hope to see in an A9 member).

Brandon indicated in his post that ."we have spoken truth to power and have fought to change the false narrative." I am curious to know what his personal role in that speaking and fighting has been. I realize that is a tough question, but he will have to be able to answer questions like that in order for his Board candidacy to be successful.

Mr. Short: I saw your reply to Nitt1300 after I submitted my original post. Thank you for that. I then went back and edited my original post in order to posit a couple of questions I have concerning your attitude regarding the folks who run the Board of Trustees (i.e., the Trustees who are NOT elected by the Alumni), and your intended strategy for dealing with them. Those are tough questions, but your answers will likely be deemed important to a number of people who post here regularly. As you contemplate your answers and your voter solicitation strategy, consider that the A9 has for several years included a number of people who had (and have) both sterling resumes and good intentions, but who ultimately produced little in the way of tangible results.

Incidentally, I would readily agree with your statement that your background provides you with a more prominent media platform than other A9 Trustees. The question is more on how you would propose to use that media platform.

LafayetteBear – I understand the frustration with “long game” as it is six-years post scandal and not much has changed. However in the past year there have been new members of the board appointed that may be open to turning the tide. These members are not tied to the decisions that were taken on 11/11 so could be allies. However, even if we get them to join our fight it would not be enough votes to change things due to the entrenched powerbase. This is why the short game of publicly agitating the board is also very necessary and our best way to effect change. But it would help the A9 if other non alumni members joined our team.


As for my personal role in the fight to change the false narrative I was one of the first and most vocal Letterman to speak out against the actions of the Board. I organized a letter in support of Joe and personally spearheaded getting over 500 Letterman to sign it. Over the years I’ve worked with Franco and Anthony Lubrano to get the public to understand that Penn State is not to blame for the actions of one individual. This has included speaking to several reporters on and off the record. Like I said I am new to this forum so not sure how to do this properly but a few weeks ago one of your members Midnighter posted in a separate thread a letter I had originally sent out 12/1/2011


Midnighter


Brandon has been an instrumental figure/letterman in the fight for the truth. Here's the letter he wrote to fellow letterman in 2011....

Captains:

It would be an understatement to say that we are saddened by the recent allegations regarding Jerry Sandusky and the subsequent fallout. If these allegations are true then Jerry used Penn State Football and every one of us who may have helped Jerry with The Second Mile to lure in at risk children and then exploit them both mentally and physically. I thought that I knew Jerry Sandusky extremely well. Jerry was my position coach for five years and I have spent countless hours with him one on one putting in game plans and discussing ways to help him grow The Second Mile. I cannot express the confusion, pain, and anger I feel every time I think of Jerry committing such vicious crimes. With that said, at this extremely dark hour we have failed to see that another crime has been committed.

In the media fire storm that ensued the damning allegations against Jerry a lead villain has emerged; Joe Paterno. Not Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley, or Gary Schultz but Joe the man who took second hand information and immediately gave it to his superior and the chief of university police.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to spend a few hours with Joe and Sue the day after the Board of Trustees made the decision to fire Joe. Even at the lowest point of his life, in typical Joe fashion Coach was more concerned with how his current and former players were doing than he was with his own situation. All of us know the immeasurable quality of Joe’s character and we also know that he’s a fighter. Coach pulled out his notes and said that he was ready to hold a press conference in his backyard to answer any questions and clear up any uncertainty the day after he was fired. However his advisers thought that it would appear defensive and be a mistake.
Joe assured me that Mike McQueary never told him that he saw Jerry Sandusky raping a boy in our locker room shower. Joe immediately went to his superiors and arranged a meeting with Mike, Tim Curley, PSU athletic director, and Gray Schultz, chief of university police. Remember that Jerry was not a football coach at the time and therefore Joe had no authority to do anything other than report what Mike told him to the authorities (which he did). Joe trusted Penn State’s Athletic Director and its Chief of Police to do their jobs and it appears they didn’t. The university
ultimately fired Joe Paterno because it didn’t do its job. And that is a crime.

Joe Paterno has always had the courage to stand up and fight for the people in his life. Joe regularly put his neck on the line and believed in many of us when nobody else would. In the past, Joe has supported us because he knew the character of the men that we’ve become. We all know Joe in a way that rest of the world does not. We know Joe’s true character. And now it’s time for us to stand up for him in his time of need.

With the exception of a few brave men, there has been a deafening silence from the Penn State Football family regarding Coach Paterno and what has made Penn State a special place for the last half century. We owe it to each other to speak up and do for Joe what he has always done for us.
Attached is a link to a recent Wall Street Journal article which attacks Coach Paterno for defending his players and calls Penn State an undisciplined program.

http://online.wsj.com/article/..._LEFTTopStories

There have been suggestions on specific actions that we can take to support our program. Following the holiday, we plan on sending you a rough draft of an action plan for your review. Thanks and have a good holiday weekend. WE ARE!
Brandon

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

Done and done! Welcome, and thanks for everything - appreciate your hard work and effort on and off the field.

 

[BlueBand]

Dear Lions Den / BWI Members –

I’m writing to announce my candidacy for the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and to ask for your support.

I love Penn State. Penn State has changed the trajectory of my life. By joining the Penn State Family, I’ve grown from an inner-city kid from a tough background to a global financier who has helped structure and advise Corporate Boards across 5 continents. I’ve been blessed to have achieved a high-level of success in both sports & business and feel a responsibility to serve the community that has done so much for me.

Penn State is a world-class research institution, with the world’s largest Alumni network, and has the world’s largest student-run charity. There is no question that Penn State is a leading institution and at the forefront of higher learning. However, there are many challenges facing our great University. The rising cost of tuition, board governance & accountability, and shrinking state funding are all issues that hamper Penn State’s ability to improve, to continue to lead, and to carry our standard of excellence into the future.

Having been recognized as a natural leader, I have developed a skill set that makes me uniquely qualified to represent our Alumni on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. I’m a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and hold a degree in Marketing (1999). I was a four-year starter on Penn State’s Football team and was elected team captain in both 1998 & 1999. I was selected as a consensus All-American in 1999 and earned First Team All-Big 10 honors in both 1998 & 1999.

In 2000, I was drafted by the New York Giants and had a seven-year NFL career. While in the NFL, my teammates elected me to be their NFLPA Union Player Representative. In this role I advocated on players’ behalves and educated my peers on their contractual rights and obligations under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a Player Representative, I helped to develop and negotiate the strategy to maximize player value in the 2006 - 2011 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following my NFL career, I earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2010. Joining Goldman Sachs after graduation as a member of its Real Estate Investment Banking Team based in New York (2010), I transferred to Goldman’s Middle East Banking Team based in Dubai in 2012. While at Goldman I provided advice on M&A transactions and advised corporate boards on their optimal structure & governance practices. In 2015, I moved to London to join a real estate private equity firm and am now a Vice President at Round Hill Capital.

I’m asking for your vote. I will bring a strong, young, and diverse voice to Penn State’s board. One that will challenge the status quo and that will work with other board members to improve on every aspect of our University. The great Joe Paterno said “You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same.” If elected I promise to wake up every day thinking of ways to make an impact, to improve Penn State and to help lead our great University into the future.

I look forward to hearing all your comments and questions about my candidacy on this thread. In addition, I will be posting weekly videos on my Facebook page, @BShort4PSU, every Friday speaking about the important challenges facing the university and how I plan to address them if elected to the BOT. In addition, I ask that you email me questions that you have at BShort4PSU@gmail.com and I will respond to them promptly in writing and on Sunday’s answer a few questions via video message on Facebook. If elected to the BOT I plan on continuing the weekly videos so that you, the voters, know what is taking place with the Board.

Thank you for your support!

Brandon

#joinmyteam

FB: @BShort4PSU

IG: @Bshort43psu

Last week I read that you were running, and submitted my nomination for you. Good luck.

 

[BarryPSU]

I have already submitted your name on the ballot !

 

[SteveLoy]

Brandon,

You have my support. I'm also a McKeesport HS graduate (1983) and watched you play for many years starting when you were a Sixth grader and played at McClure Middle School. I have my State Champions sweatshirt when the Tigers defeated Downingtown in Altoona. I also have my #43 PSU jersey that I wear to any game I attend. Best of luck to you.

 

[PSU73]

I agree the A9 has had the best of intentions and tried its best to move the needle however I think it is time for fresh, young(ish) energy to continue this work.

The mismanagement of the Sandusky scandal by the 11/11 BOT has done significant harm to PSU. Over the past 6 years we have spoken truth to power and have fought to change the false narrative that the Penn State culture was somehow responsible for this tragedy. Despite all our hard work the power base of the 11/11 BOT is still in control and has done everything in its power hide the truth from the Alumni. During this time, we’ve had spirited debate and a lot of the Alumni have grown frustrated that we haven’t accomplished our objectives. I too am frustrated. But I’ve come to understand that given the entrenched power of the 11/11 BOT we must play both a short and long game. Which means we must apply a legal strategy that will allow correspondences related to the Freeh report to be made public and continue to apply public pressure on the BOT to offer an apology and to function in a more transparent manner. For better or worse, my experience as a professional football player offers me a media platform that most other trustees do not possess. If elected, I will use that platform to put pressure on the Board to institute much needed changes and to rectify the mistakes of the past.

It is also important to build a coalition to help the cause of getting the truth out. I believe there are some new members of the board who may be open to hearing the truth of the matter. The key is to have conversations with them and get them to see that steps must be taken by the university to get the true story out. This will be the only way to getting our Alumni untied once again.

This pretty much covers what I needed to learn. I think fighting the power base on the Board can tire out those with the best intentions and so new, fresh, enthused blood may help keep the pressure on. As a linebacker I expect you to read the offensive and respond appropriately, including: blitz, fill the holes, call out defensive changes and confuse the offense, and run through the tackle.

BTW, I grew up in Port Vue and "lived" in McKeesport. You've done us proud and I'm counting on you to continue to do so.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Brandon:

Thanks for posting here and for taking the time to run.

You have my support (we haven't met, but I am friends with two of your PSU teammates who have spoken highly of you).

Your "mission statement" truly embodies success with honor (Joe would be proud) and I believe that you will do the best job possible on the board.

I am very concerned about the potential of the alumni trustees (A9 as some call them) to enact any change because of the seemingly immovable power bloc create by the appointed trustees and would love to hear additional thoughts from you (you've gracious shared some already) about how to chip away at that stone.

Please do seek the truth. Please work to address tuition/fiscal issues. Please do take steps to make OUR university a better place.

Good luck and best wishes.

For the Glory,

PSU2UNC

 

[PSU73]

Your statement sounds very, very similar to the statements issued by many of the people who would go on to be elected to the Board (including one of your former Penn State Football Letterman cohorts).

Their statements, when they were running for election, created the same resonance of support from PSU Alumni that your statement has.



Unfortunately, for the vast majority of the people seated on the Board (including the elected members) once they were seated we all found that:

- They were too lazy and disengaged to be aware of the issues facing the University

and/or

- They were too stupid to understand the issues facing the University

and/or

- They were too myopic - one-trick-ponies - to give a damn about the issues facing the University.


The end result, six+ years after Nov 2011, Penn State Governance is - amazingly - in a worse state than it was in 2011.



Hoping you will not enter that same surreal zone when/if you are elected.

Geez. Really. There may be only one person who can match your criteria for the job.

 

[wensilver]

Joe assured me that Mike McQueary never told him that he saw Jerry Sandusky raping a boy in our locker room shower.

Brandon - I'm not a football fan, the guys let me come here and vent my spleen (for which I am grateful) and at this point - I am so totally disgusted with anything to do with Penn State, it's tone deaf BoT and administration and I'm relieved that my children are out of college. I can sympathize with the MSU community and how they feel about their BoT & administration.

However, I am extremely pissed off at our Office of Attorney General and their actions in all this. This needs to be addressed, and this ONE WRONG MADE RIGHT - apologies need to be made to Sue, Tim, Gary & Graham - then you can fully participate as a fudiciary of the institution on more relevant matters and concerns.

Here's a primer on that:

 

[PSU73]

One would think that out of however many thousands of PSU Alums there are out there, there would be - at least - hundreds of Penn Staters that would fit those criteria

You seem to have a very clear picture of what the person for BOT should do, believe and support as well as how to get the job done that we alumni so much wish to see in them. I'm curious if you have attempted to run and if not, are you willing to run, to make the difference happen on the Board that we so badly need?