Russell C. Wright
Managing Director
NACDA Consulting
Russell Wright joined NACDA Consulting as the Managing Director after a 10-year tenure at CSTV Online, Inc. (formerly FANSonly). In his role Wright is responsible for partner acquisition, account management, strategic planning and day-to-day operations for NACDA Consulting.
Mr. Wright brings significant web, business development, sales and marketing experience to his role at NACDA Consulting. During his tenure at CSTV Online, Inc., the leading provider of web solutions for athletic departments with more than 220 partners, Wright had a wide variety of responsibilities from editorial management, marketing and promotional activities, public relations to his role as vice president, university relations.
In the university relations role, Wright and his staff were responsible for account management, local corporate advertising, e-commerce, business development and contracts. During his tenure, the company grew from 6 to 225 partners and more than $12 million in gross annual revenue.
Previously, Mr. Wright worked as sports information director at Georgia Perimeter College for 2 years, and was a senior account representative with Information America, a legal research firm, for 3 years. Wright earned his B.S. in management from Clemson University in 1991 and M.S. in sports administration from Georgia State University in 1996.
Heather Ould
Manager, Client Services
NACDA Consulting
Heather Ould joined SMA as the as Manager of Client Services for NACDA Consulting in July of 2007. In her role, Ould is responsible for account management, market research, and community relations.
Ms. Ould brings an expertise in market research, youth and family marketing, and recreational sports from the private sector to her role at NACDA Consulting. Prior to joining NACDA Consulting, Ms. Ould worked as the Consumer Insights Project Manager with Strottman International, a Youth and Family Marketing Agency. Ms. Ould serviced major clients such as Best Buy, the American Heart Association, Chick-fil-A, and Pepperidge Farm to develop strategic marketing campaigns. Additionally, Ms. Ould oversaw the development of Strottman’s proprietary Kid Engineer Consumer Insight Groups where children age 4-to-17 provided insight for client projects.
From 1998-2001, Ms. Ould was the Compulsory Team Director of Classic City Gymnastics Academy providing grass roots marketing, day-to-day management of the club, and coaching services. From a 15-year coaching background, Ms. Ould has had the privilege of coaching gymnasts that have gone on to compete for the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky, Brigham Young University, and the University of Michigan.
Ms. Ould received her B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Georgia in 1999 and M.S. in Sports Administration from Georgia State University in 2007.
Beth Klueter
Client Services Coordinator
NACDA Consulting
Beth Klueter joined NACDA Consulting in January of 2009 as Coordinator of Client Services. Ms. Klueter has a Masters degree in Sports Management from the University of Georgia (2008) and an undergraduate degree in Public Relations from UGA (2007).
At NACDA Consulting, Ms. Klueter provides services including benchmark research, media relations, and new client outreach. Prior to joining NACDA Consulting, Ms. Klueter worked as a graduate assistant in student-athlete academic services at UGA. As a graduate assistant, Ms. Klueter worked side-by-side with UGAAA administrators, as well as other staff members and student-athletes. Ms. Klueter has also worked for the UGA Athletics Marketing & Promotions department and was involved with a variety of sports including men’s & women’s basketball, men’s & women’s tennis, gymnastics, softball, and baseball. Previously, Ms. Klueter has worked for the Atlanta Braves, representing the organization in a variety of areas, including public relations, marketing, customer service, ticket sales, promotions, and special events.
Ms. Klueter was a stringer for UGA’s campus newspaper, The Red and Black, and was also the Public Relations chair for Wishmaker’s on Campus, a branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was a member of the UGA women’s soccer team for five years and was honored with the team’s sportsmanship and academic awards during her senior year.
Robert Bernard
President/CEO
Strategic Marketing Affiliates
Robert Bernard is the President and CEO of Strategic Marketing Affiliates, Inc. based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Bernard founded SMA in 1997 and his responsibilities currently include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the marketing and licensing initiatives for SMA’s 125 collegiate clients. His vast experience and understanding of how athletic departments operate within a University at all levels has resulted in the tremendous growth of SMA, Inc.
Mr. Bernard was the on-site Marketing Director for SMA, Inc. at Purdue University from 1995-2004. During this period he coordinated the efforts of licensing, merchandising, auxiliary events, corporate partnerships, media rights, and concessions.
Previously, Mr. Bernard worked for Midmark Corporation in Versailles, OH for 11 years. He was Midmark’s Midwest Regional Manager, earning National Manager-of-the-year in 1993. As a Territory Sales Representative he earned National Sales Representative-of-the-year in 1988.
He earned a B.S. degree from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management in 1983, as well as played outfield for the varsity baseball team. He also has additional education in executive management from the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University.
