Who: David Brandon
Occupation: Chairman & CEO of Domino's Pizza
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First off, football connected me to role models - my coaches. I don't know if you could have a better role model than someone who volunteers his or her time to teach this game and its values to young people. Second, it afforded me an opportunity after school to be surrounded by friends who were devoted to a common cause, who wanted to play by the rules. The game gave me a stronger network of friends who all worked to be part of a team. Between those friendships and the role models I had in the form of my coaches, football helped put my life on a positive course.
I grew up in a rural setting 10 miles from my high school (South Lyon High School in South Lyon, Mich.). Being part of a team made me feel connected and helped me build a network of good friends. And when you become a team captain and earn a leadership role, that makes the game even better. The responsibility you're given and the leadership you gain at that young of an age has a great lasting impact.
I grew up loving football. In my last high school game, I painted my shoes white because I wanted to be like Joe Namath.
My success in high school earned me a scholarship from a great university - the University of Michigan. I wasn't a star at Michigan. I was a drop-back quarterback at a program featuring an option offense. I was struggling to get on the field, but that lack of playing time came with a benefit; I had an opportunity to observe how this incredible, iconic coach could achieve such a level of great success. As a result of playing for and observing how Bo approached his work, I often tell people that I got a college degree from the "Schembechler School of Leadership." He taught us how important it was to prepare - and how no matter how good we thought we were, we could always be better.
As a CEO, I have found that I spend most of my time teaching and coaching! I build great teams of talented people who are motivated to achieve significant goals, which is a formula for success. I happened to learn from a guy named Schembechler. It has served me well.
David Brandon has served as the chairman and CEO of Domino's Pizza since 1999. A quarterback throughout his youth, high school and college days at the University of Michigan, Brandon grew up 40 miles west of Detroit in South Lyon, Mich. He credits football for helping create a path for success where he now directs an industry leader, instilling a team spirit of "smart hustle" and innovation. Domino's profits have increased dramatically under his leadership