Alumni Spotlight - Dan Brooks

1. Tell us about where you grew up, how you came to UK, and what you majored in.

I was born in Danville, Kentucky, but I grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The University of Kentucky was always part of my family story—both of my parents have advanced degrees from UK—so I grew up understanding the impact that the University of Kentucky had on their careers.
When it came time to choose a college, Kentucky and Gatton felt like a natural fit. I majored in economics, which gave me a strong foundation for understanding how markets work, how organizations make decisions, and how incentives shape behavior. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career.

2. What was your first job after graduation? 

Right after graduation, I actually worked two jobs. During the day I was a loan processor at a credit union, and in the evenings I managed a gym.
Neither role was exactly what I had envisioned for myself long term, but looking back they were incredibly valuable experiences. Both jobs required a lot of interaction with people—helping members navigate financial decisions at the credit union and working with customers and staff at the gym. Those experiences helped me develop the customer-service mindset and work ethic that ultimately led me into a career in sales and, later, sales leadership.
In many ways, those early roles reinforced an important lesson: the first job doesn’t define your career, but the skills and perspective you gain from it absolutely can

3. Who or what inspired you while you were a student at Gatton? What did you take from your college experience into your professional life?

One of the things I appreciated most about Gatton was how professors pushed students to think critically. Classes were not only about understanding business concepts and theory, professors challenged students to ask how businesses could operate more efficiently, make better decisions, and create more value.
That mindset—thinking analytically and challenging assumptions—has been incredibly valuable throughout my career. Whether you’re evaluating strategy, building a team, or entering a new market, the ability to step back and think critically about how to improve something is a skill that stays with you.

4. You have been instrumental in support of the Sales Competition here at Gatton. Can you tell us about your experience with that?

Honestly, I feel honored to be a small part of it. The Sales Competition is really about the students and the incredible amount of work they put into preparing.
What has impressed me most is the level of professionalism and preparation the students bring. The competition creates an opportunity for them to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting—communicating value, thinking on their feet, and connecting with customers.
I also must give a tremendous amount of credit to Krista Rigsby, whose passion for the Gatton community and its students is contagious. She was instrumental in getting me involved, and her commitment to creating opportunities for students is really what drew me into supporting the competition.

5. You generously sponsor a scholarship for the Sales Competition. What moved you to do that and what rewards have you gleaned from that?

The students deserve it.

When you see the amount of preparation, discipline, and professionalism they bring to the competition, it’s inspiring. Supporting the scholarship felt like a meaningful way to recognize that effort and help create opportunities for them as they begin their careers.
The real reward has been seeing the caliber of students Gatton is producing and knowing that, in some small way, I’m helping support the next generation of business leaders.

6. For other Gatton alums considering giving back to the college, either with their time or resources, what benefits have you experienced from staying involved here at Gatton?

Staying connected has been incredibly rewarding. Gatton continues to evolve, and it’s exciting to see the talent coming out of the program.
For alumni, getting involved is a chance to give back to an institution that played an important role in our own development. But it’s also an opportunity to engage with the next generation of professionals—people who bring fresh ideas, energy, and perspective.
In many ways, it reminds you why the Gatton experience was so valuable in the first place.