“We try to get up to 200 events in our arena every year. To do that, you have to manage all kinds of things like working with promoters and staffing those events. The Hornets play 42 games at home every year so that still leaves a lot of other events that we host here.
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Why Listen:
If you’re interested in sports and entertainment - either as an enthusiast or as a potential career option - you’ve got to hear James’ story. He went from 31 year Army Veteran to being an Executive Vice President for Hornets Sports & Entertainment. Not only does this entail the logistics for each and every Hornets basketball game… but that is literally less than 20% of the events that occur at the Spectrum Center each year, and James oversees all of them. We talk about how much of our military experience translates well to operations. We talk about why Veterans may love a career in sports and entertainment. And we talk about swimming in your own lane. James’ younger brother is a guy you may have heard of - Michael Jordan… the Michael Jordan. Towards the end of our conversation, James and I talk about this, and his response to my question about this made me respect James even more. James has a wonderful perspective on the military transition, and I hope you enjoy this unique conversation.
If you enjoy this episode, I’d recommend checking out four other similar episodes, each listed in our show notes, which are:
1. BTU #93 - Matt Ufford: Marines to Editor & Host at SB Nation
2. BTU #74 - Nate Boyer: Army Green Beret to the NFL
3. BTU #258 - Army Ranger to HBO and Writing & Directing Movies (Brian Hanson)
4. BTU #302 - Navy SWO to ESPN Reporter and Host (Sal Paolantonio)
About James:
James Jordan is the Executive Vice President of Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, where he has served for nearly six years. He started out in the Army, where he served for over 31 years, most recently as the 35th Signal Brigade Airborne Command Sergeant Major as a part of 18th Airborne Corps Task Force supporting Combat Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. After his military service, he worked for over seven years as the Director of Operations and Administration for the EPS Corporation, Field Service Company.
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Info about James
Transcript & Time Stamps:
3:50
Joining me today from Charlotte, North Carolina is James Jordan. James Jordan is the Executive Vice President of Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, where he has served for nearly six years. He started out in the Army, where he served for over 31 years, most recently as the 35th Signal Brigade Airborne Command Sergeant Major as a part of 18th Airborne Corps Task Force supporting Combat Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. After his military service, he worked for over seven years as the Director of Operations and Administration for the EPS Corporation, Field Service Company.
4:40
Is there anything else you’d add to that background?
I was in high school ROTC and after I graduated, I immediately went to basic training. I ended up staying in for 31 years. I went in a boy and came out a man.
5:40
You stayed in well past the 20 year mark. What kept you going in the military?
The military made me. I went in at 17 and when I hit 20 years, I still felt like I still had more to give. I came in as an E-1 and I wanted to make it all the way to E-9. I felt like I had the opportunity to look out for the people around me and that made me want to stay in.
7:05
What was your first job search like after getting out of the military?
When I came up on 30 years, the Brigade made the decision to deploy. I decided that I wanted to go too and do one year in Iraq. Toward the end of that deployment, I started looking at different jobs outside the military.
I was in the communications field throughout my military career so I had a lot of contacts in that area. I knew someone that owned a communications company. I reached out to him and he offered me a position as an entry level project manager. It turned out really well. There were a lot of veterans working at that company so I was able to continue that feeling of camaraderie even outside the military.
10:00
You took a step down in seniority in that first position. Was that difficult?
I had to learn to change my demeanor to fit the civilian workforce. It was a little bit challenging at first but it helped that I was in a position where I was working with a lot of other veterans. They helped me adjust to working and leading in a civilian organization.
12:10
How did you come upon your position with the Hornets?
My brother was a minority partner within the organization. He was interested in bringing me in because of my leadership experience.
I started out as a consultant. After a period of time, there was a transition in the culture of the organization. I ended up accepting a full-time role in the operations department during that transition. I continued to get promoted until reaching my current role as Executive Vice President.
I talk to a lot of military members going through the transition into the civilian workforce. I tell them not to be discouraged by initially taking a step back. Once you get started, you’ll prove yourself quickly and move up within the organization.
17:25
What does your current role entail?
My job is to figure out how to help the organization move forward. I do a lot of work with all of our different departments and make sure they are all functioning effectively.
We’re about more than just the Hornets. We have shows and concerts in our arena as well. So we need to make sure we are functioning well across all of these different groups.
We try to get up to 200 events in our arena every year. To do that, you have to manage all kinds of things like working with promoters and staffing those events. The Hornets play 42 games at home every year so that still leaves a lot of other events that we host. We also try to host various community events in our arena to support people and events in Charlotte.
I find myself drawing on my military experiences everyday to solve a problem or issue that I’m facing. Experience is much more valuable than degrees or certification. The military gave me 31 years of all kinds of life experience that I now use to help the organization and people around me.
25:20
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually get up at 5:30 and am in the gym by 6:30 - I do about an hour long workout. I get to the office by 8:30. I’m busy with various meetings and activities throughout the day and leave the office around 6. My wife lives in Fayetteville so I go home on Friday afternoons and spend the weekends with her. During the week I’m in Charlotte.
27:55
What advice do you have about breaking into the sports industry?
Think about what you did in the military and how those skills could translate into the civilian sector. All veterans have leadership and project management skills. Those can be very helpful in the civilian sector including in the sports industry. We also have an intern program. I encourage veterans to apply for an internship to get their foot in the door in sports.
A lot of times young people will go into the military because they’re not ready for college. Then they’re scared when they get out because they think they’re not qualified if they don’t have a degree. But don’t forget about all those skills you learned in the military. Get that first job and then go from there as you continue to figure out what you want to do.
Start planning for your transition at least a year ahead of time. There are so many resources available to transitioning service members. Take advantage of those resources and prepare yourself as much as possible for the transition.
34:45
What differences are there in your leadership style inside and outside of the military?
In the military, people are assigned to a unit for a set period of time. On the civilian side, people can leave at any time. People on the civilian side are typically driven more by titles and pay. In the military, you’re given a job and whether you love or hate the job, you’re expected to execute on that assignment.
36:35
What is it like growing up and having Michael Jordan as your brother?
Michael is my little brother. I was already in the military when he was in high school and college. In the military, I was able to do my own thing and focus on my own goals while also supporting my brother. So that’s the perspective I always tried to maintain.
I felt like the military gave me a chance to make something of myself. I got hooked on the idea of working with the people around me to lead them toward our team’s goals. Being in the military was my calling in life.
There’s a saying amongst Sergeant Majors that we never really retire. You continue to offer inspiration where you can.
43:40
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I would advise those that are still in to not be scared of the transition. Reach out to people and resources around you to make sure you’re ready to transition financially and career wise. Don’t be afraid to take a step back in your first job out of the military. You will quickly get promoted as people see what you can contribute to the organization.