Mel is a highly successful, driven, and diplomatic executive offering over 20 years of expertise within the sports world. Visionary leader excelling in creating new business opportunities, exploiting niches, and establishing key strategic alliances that fuel bottom-line profitability. Broad-based history encompasses planning, launching, and directing diversified programs; conceptualizing, designing, and executing integrated marketing initiatives; and playing a pivotal role in growing enrollment, raising career planning awareness, and educating students in order to attain a position of greater responsibility. Recognized for consistently increasing revenues, developing strategic partnerships throughout the globe, and leveraging positive and professional attitudes to exceed expectations.

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EDUCATION

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Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology, Fordham University

• Help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation to help students develop skills, explore an occupation, and develop an educational plan that will lead to a career.

 

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, St. John’s University

• Plan, direct, and coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for educational services offered by a school and its competitors, and identify potential students. Develop strategies with the goal of maximizing the school’s share of the economically disadvantaged students market while ensuring the school’s students are satisfied. Oversee curriculum development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new courses and services.

 

Certificate for Career Planning, New York University

• Help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation careers and help students and develop skills, explore an occupation, and choose an educational plan that will lead to a career.

 

CAREER MILESTONES

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• Increased membership and annual revenue 400% in the National Basketball Retired Players Association by developing alliances with former members of the NBA, Harlem Globetrotters, and the American Basketball Association. (NBRPA)

• Strengthened visibility by spearheading website development efforts generating 8,000 hits per day, 600–1,500 viewers daily, and capturing prospective member information throughout the globe. (NBRPA)

• Conceptualized and led Associate Membership program projected to generate 20% more memberships per annum. (NBRPA)

• Expanded charity golf event and brunch participation to 1,400 participants per year from 200 during NBA All-Star weekend gatherings sponsored by the association. (NBRPA)

• Secured a $1 million, 10-year agreement with Japan to conduct annual tours encompassing clinics and appearances involving retired NBA players. (NBRPA)

• Cultivated relationships in China, Japan, and Dubai to generate $100,000+ for the NBRPA in just one tour, negotiated contracts for each tour. (NBRPA)

• Fueled annual revenues to $1.7 million per year from $150,000 by cultivating partnerships and negotiating contracts with the National Basketball Association League Office, the National Basketball Players Association, sponsors, and partners. (NBRPA)

• Secured $1 million, 5-year agreement with The Guggenheim Group to support charity endeavors. (NBRPA)

• Cemented professional basketball players’ futures after league play by implementing internship program focused on gaining post-career experience. (NBA Office)

• Provided former players experiencing financial difficulties with financial assistance as Legends Foundation Administrator tasked with interviewing players, preparing summary reports, assessing eligibility, collaborating with the Board of Directors, and distributing funds. (NBA League Office)

• Drove 100% increase in annual revenues to attain $7 million per year in sales from $3.5 million by training, managing, and mentoring staff; and overseeing operational excellence. (PepsiCo)

• Earned opportunity to play professional basketball three years with the New York Knicks, one year with the New Jersey Nets, and five years in the European Professional Association (Italy, France, and Switzerland)

 

CAREER PATH

St. John’s University, Queens, NY
Director, Institutional Advancement, January 2007 to Present

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• Fundraising, Marketing, Sponsorship, Special Events, and Recruiting for St. John’s University

• Assisted in raising $15 million for Carnesecca Initiative to refurbish the Carnesecca Arena

• Cultivating, engaging St. John’s Alumni, Board of Governors, and Trustees

• Recruiting athletes

• Counseling current and former St. John’s players

 

National Basketball Retired Players Association, New York, NY
Executive Director, 1999 to 2006

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Embraced challenge as direct report to the Board of Directors to spearhead membership growth, revenue acceleration, alliance cultivation, marketing, and special event orchestration for association struggling to emerge from infancy.

• Developed association’s first branding initiative and designed logo for utilization in all marketing collateral.

• Contributed to association’s 400% growth by leading efforts relative to marketing, member recruitment, and staff supervision and training; collaborating with the NHL, NFL, and MLB to benchmark performance and deliver value-added services to constituency; identifying growth opportunities; and developing key relationships with partners in China, Japan, and Dubai.

• Established a strong relationship with the Hospital for Special Surgery to address orthopedic concerns for all members with or without coverage.

 

National Basketball Association League Office, New York, NY
Director of Player Programs, 1990 to 1999

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Recruited to prepare up to 70 rookie players entering the NBA for post-career job opportunities. Key activities involved conducting career counseling, presenting players with career pathway information, and encouraging back-to-school and computer utilization program participation for 400+ players per year.

• Strengthened the Player Program Department by assisting with budget management challenges and business planning and development efforts.

 

PepsiCo, Albany, NY
Regional Supervisor, 1983 to 1990

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Joined one of the world’s most prestigious brands to spearhead operational success at seven Pizza Hut restaurants located throughout New York and Connecticut. Charged with recruiting, training, mentoring, and promoting individuals to positions of greater responsibility. Additionally, analyzed profit and loss statements to ensure financial excellence, facilitated operational education to management teams, and leveraged notoriety as a former NBA player to grow market share throughout the territory.

• Recognized for attaining highest possible annual bonus year-after-year based on performance.

• Instrumental in promoting individual team members to management positions by strengthening skill sets through comprehensive training and education.

 

Additional Career Experience

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• European Professional Basketball Association—Professional Basketball Player

• National Basketball Association—Professional Basketball Player

 

AFFILIATIONS

Board Member

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• The Maurice Stokes Foundation, 1999 to Present

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 2000 to Present

• Ghana Foundation, 2005 to Present

• The Trey Whitfield Foundation, 1992 to Present

• P.A.L. (Police Athletic League), 1966 to Present

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Trustee

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• New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, 2010 to Present

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

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• Drive against Prostate Cancer: Collaborated with the New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg