David Brandon
Encyclopedia
David A. Brandon is the director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of Michigan
. He was formerly chairman of the board
, chief executive officer
, and manager
of Domino's Pizza
. He is also a former regent
of the University of Michigan. Brandon took over Domino's in March 1999 when founder Thomas Monaghan
sold it to the investment group Bain Capital
. Prior to Domino's, he was the CEO of Valassis Communications
. On January 5, 2010 he was announced as the next athletic director of the University of Michigan.
and teaching certificate from the University of Michigan in 1974. While in Ann Arbor, he was the back-up quarterback
of the university's football
team, under the leadership of Bo Schembechler
. As a sophomore, Brandon was a reserve player on the 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
, assigned No. 24, and listed as a 6-foot, 3-inch quarterback from South Lyon, Michigan
. In his junior and senior seasons, he was listed on the roster of the 1972
and 1973 Michigan football team
s as a defensive end assigned No. 85.
Brandon also has honorary doctorate degrees from Walsh College, Schoolcraft College
, Lawrence Technological University
, Cleary College, Central Michigan University
, and Albion College
.
On May 9, 2009, David received his honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Albion College during the college's commencement ceremonies, in Albion
, Michigan. He also delivered a commencement address to the 2009 graduating class. and finished his address by giving a graduation present to each of the graduates. Taped to the bottom of each of their seats was a coupon for a free pizza and a pop.
of the University of Michigan in 1998, as a member of the Republican Party
. In the November 2006 election, he lost his reelection bid to Democrat
Julia Donovan Darlow. His term expired December 31, 2006.
An avid participant in Republican politics, Brandon had expressed interest in running for the United States Senate
in 2006 against Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow
. However, he announced in August 2005 that he would not be a candidate in the 2006 elections. According to public records, Brandon has donated almost $200,000 to Republican Party candidates and election committees.
's The Apprentice
as part of the finale CEO interview panel. In an advertisement that first aired on January 21, 2009, David starred by "oven baking" a cease and desist order from Subway
. He was seen putting the letter in a pizza oven, and the letter caught on fire. Subway had sent the letter to Domino's to stop advertisements for their new oven baked sandwiches that noted a 2 to 1 advantage over Subway's subs in an independent taste test.
franchisees and corporate store managers. In his blog he talks about such topics as his personal unannounced visits to stores and the price of cheese.
at the University of Michigan
, succeeding Bill Martin
.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He was formerly chairman of the board
Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board is a seat of office in an organization, especially of corporations.Chairman of the Board may also refer to:*Chairman of the Board , a 1998 film*Chairmen of the Board , a 1970s American soul music group...
, chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, and manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
of Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
. He is also a former regent
Board of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
of the University of Michigan. Brandon took over Domino's in March 1999 when founder Thomas Monaghan
Tom Monaghan
Thomas Stephen "Tom" Monaghan is an entrepreneur and Catholic philanthropist and activist who founded Domino's Pizza in 1960. He owned the Detroit Tigers from 1983-1992....
sold it to the investment group Bain Capital
Bain Capital
Bain Capital LLC is a Boston-based private equity firm founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. Originally conceived as an early-stage, growth-oriented investment fund, Bain Capital today manages approximately $65 billion in assets, and its strategies include private...
. Prior to Domino's, he was the CEO of Valassis Communications
Valassis Communications
Valassis Communications, Inc. is a publicly traded U.S. Corporation with subsidiaries that provide various media and marketing services in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada, and one of the largest coupon distributors/processors in the world....
. On January 5, 2010 he was announced as the next athletic director of the University of Michigan.
Education
He graduated with a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and teaching certificate from the University of Michigan in 1974. While in Ann Arbor, he was the back-up quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
of the university's football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
team, under the leadership of Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
. As a sophomore, Brandon was a reserve player on the 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
, assigned No. 24, and listed as a 6-foot, 3-inch quarterback from South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,327 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton Urban Area, which had a population of 106,139 according to the 2000 census...
. In his junior and senior seasons, he was listed on the roster of the 1972
1972 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1972 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1972 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
and 1973 Michigan football team
1973 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1973 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
s as a defensive end assigned No. 85.
Brandon also has honorary doctorate degrees from Walsh College, Schoolcraft College
Schoolcraft College
Schoolcraft College is a two-year community college located in Livonia, Michigan with a satellite campus in Garden City, Michigan. Schoolcraft College was established in 1961. Originally named Northwest Wayne County Community College, the name of the college was changed because of the length...
, Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University, also known as Lawrence Tech or simply LTU, is a private university located in Southfield, Michigan. The school offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs in engineering, science, mathematics, architecture, graphic design, and business...
, Cleary College, Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
, and Albion College
Albion College
Albion College is a private liberal arts college located in Albion, Michigan. Related to the United Methodist Church, it was founded in 1835 and was the first private college in Michigan to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. It has a student population of about 1500.The school's sports teams are...
.
On May 9, 2009, David received his honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Albion College during the college's commencement ceremonies, in Albion
Albion, Michigan
Albion is a city in Calhoun County in the south central region of the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. The population was 9,144 at the 2000 census and is part of the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Michigan. He also delivered a commencement address to the 2009 graduating class. and finished his address by giving a graduation present to each of the graduates. Taped to the bottom of each of their seats was a coupon for a free pizza and a pop.
Politics
Brandon was elected to the Board of RegentsBoard of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
of the University of Michigan in 1998, as a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. In the November 2006 election, he lost his reelection bid to Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Julia Donovan Darlow. His term expired December 31, 2006.
An avid participant in Republican politics, Brandon had expressed interest in running for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 2006 against Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow
Debbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Greer "Debbie" Stabenow is the junior United States Senator from Michigan and a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to the U.S. Senate, she was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2001...
. However, he announced in August 2005 that he would not be a candidate in the 2006 elections. According to public records, Brandon has donated almost $200,000 to Republican Party candidates and election committees.
Television
On May 5, 2005, Brandon appeared on the third edition of Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
's The Apprentice
The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)
The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC...
as part of the finale CEO interview panel. In an advertisement that first aired on January 21, 2009, David starred by "oven baking" a cease and desist order from Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
. He was seen putting the letter in a pizza oven, and the letter caught on fire. Subway had sent the letter to Domino's to stop advertisements for their new oven baked sandwiches that noted a 2 to 1 advantage over Subway's subs in an independent taste test.
Dave's Blog
David keeps a blog, titled "Dave's Blog," which is accessible only to Domino's PizzaDomino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
franchisees and corporate store managers. In his blog he talks about such topics as his personal unannounced visits to stores and the price of cheese.
Appointment as University of Michigan athletic director
On January 5, 2010, Brandon was named athletic directorAthletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, succeeding Bill Martin
William C. Martin
William C. "Bill" Martin was University of Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Director from 2000 to 2010.Martin is president of the United States Sailing Foundation and also served as president of the U.S. Sailing Association, the national governing body of the sport of sailing from...
.