Brandon J. Hurst
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
The newest member of Alabama State University's Foundation Board of Directors (Foundation Board) has been a successful leader since his earliest days as a student at the University, and his meteoric rise to the top seems to know no bounds.
Brandon J. Hurst (class of 2010) said he is humbled and grateful to be chosen to serve on the ASU Foundation Board.
Administration officials stated that Hurst was a natural selection to serve on the board, given his amazing business prowess. Hurst became a Chick-fil-A franchise owner at the age of 26, opening Baltimore, Maryland's first downtown location of the popular restaurant in 2015. Now, the seasoned entrepreneur is a multi-restaurant Chick-fil-A franchisee with locations in Brooklyn, New York, where he experienced another first — opening the borough's two inaugural Chick-fil-A restaurants.
"I am excited to be on ASU's Foundation Board and pledge to give it my all in the pursuit of excellence that ultimately benefits our school's greatest assets, which are our students," Hurst said Feb. 7, as he was preparing to deliver the keynote address at ASU's 125th Founders' Day Convocation. "The University has contributed greatly to my success in life, and I am glad that I now have a direct way to accomplish positive objectives for it, which helps Alabama State to continue its success under the direction of President Quinton Ross."
As a Foundation Board member, Hurst will be working closely with ASU's Col. (retired) Gregory Clark, who is the vice president of Institutional Advancement and the executive director of the ASU Foundation.
"Brandon is a young, energetic and innovative graduate of our University who brings lots of business acumen and expertise to our Foundation Board," Clark said. "He also serves as an inspiration to many of our younger alumni and shows them that with a commitment to greatness and a love for our school, that they too may come back and serve The Alabama State University in many capacities - perhaps even one day serving on our Board like Brandon."
HURST BACKGROUND
Hurst is a native of Atlanta, Ga. who graduated magna cum laude from ASU in 2010 with a degree in Accounting, while also serving as co-head drum major for the Mighty Marching Hornets Band. He is a member of the Beta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and while an undergrad, served as its treasurer. He also was involved in a number of other campus activities and honors. His career has also been marked by an impressive list of professional and community awards.
ASU's Col. Clark believes Hurst is a perfect fit for ASU's Foundation Board.
"Mr. Hurst is a stellar example of the kind of alumni who is a perfect fit to serve on our Foundation Board," quipped Clark. "He complements the other great leaders who serve on the Board now and will help us continue our rise to greatness."