Letter from the Executive Director: One More for the Road

Running the alumni association of the greatest University on the planet—no hyperbole there, I promise—is a job unlike any other. So how do we measure success or failure? I’ve been thinking about this a lot for the past few months because this, dear reader, is my last letter for the Alcalde. After nearly eight years at the Texas Exes, my wife, Tamra, and I have decided that it’s time for us to retire. And I say “us” because the spouse of the person in this chair is just as all-in. It’s a loveseat, really. Together, we’ve put on our best burnt orange and attended event after event to support and champion The University of Texas. It’s been so much damn fun.  

It feels fitting that the man I started this whole adventure with is gracing the cover of this issue. Chris Del Conte and I started our respective gigs on the Forty Acres just a month apart in late 2017. As the new guys, we decided to band together and do a tour across the state to bring our coaches to the fans in their communities. It was a blast, and all these years later, Del Conte still has that “new guy” energy—from BEVO Blvd to the stadium, to the SEC and two consecutive Director’s Cups in between—he is constantly dialing up our Longhorn Pride. We are so lucky to have him at the helm of Texas Athletics, and I’m very lucky to call him a friend. Measuring his success across the street is not hard to do.   

They don’t give out Executive Director’s Cups (that I’m aware of), so the success of my era as a campus leader is a little more subjective. The first year was a whirlwind. I was meeting new faces, getting to know the staff, and kissing all the babies at our chapter events. I was struck by the level of passion people have for UT—something that wasn’t readily apparent to me from the outside. For good and for bad, I received calls and lengthy emails about every move we made.  

After a year under my belt, I felt like we hit a groove. The staff here are some of the most capable and hardworking people I’ve ever known, and they set me up for success at every turn. It’s the same with our army of volunteers. From the members of our Board of Directors, who are titans of industry and pillars in their communities, to our wonderful chapter and network leaders, ambassadors, student volunteers, and more—I can’t recall a time when I asked somebody for help and didn’t get it. If you call on Longhorn Nation, someone will answer. And we weathered epic challenges during my tenure, such as the pandemic, the passionate debate about “The Eyes of Texas,” and so much more. We got through it all, with a little help from our friends.   

When I was in the private sector, you measured success by the size of your exit. As an entrepreneur, a company has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  You raise money, you build it, you exit. The Texas Exes has been a venerable institution since 1885, and I am one of the stewards of its success throughout history. Lucky number seven in the line of executive directors. Success here is to leave the association better than you found it.   

I’m confident I’ve achieved success, but the how matters a lot here. Here’s what I’ve asked myself as I’ve mentally begun to pack up my office at the Alumni Center. Did I bring people along? Is the association strong enough to withstand the unexpected?  

I truly believe that’s a yes and a yes. The work we’ve done together that makes me most proud is all about getting more people under the tent. We launched the Longhorn Business Network to support alumni who are building something new and powering the economy. We expanded the class ring tradition and found more ways to involve students and support their endeavors. And we worked to get the Texas Exes into the best financial health of its existence.  

I didn’t do any of this alone. This job is all about the people. Everyone on this team makes everyone better. Together, we’ve grown the business, survived historical headwinds, and added $3 million of recurring top line revenue. And when I look around the table today, I see the same faces in leadership roles as when I started on day one. 

I also want put my horns up for our former UT president Jay Hartzell and our new interim president Jim Davis. I’ve had a front row seat over the years to see the outstanding leadership we’ve had at the Tower. As a Texas Ex, I’m always comforted to know that the people in charge of this place are trying to do the right thing. They know what our University means to the world and care deeply about its future.  

If you are reading this, it means I am in your debt. Every member of this remarkable organization plays a part in its success. Please keep doing what you are doing. Stay engaged, stay informed, and wear your burnt-orange heart on your sleeve. We have so much power in numbers to help our alma mater change the world. 

I’ll be on the other side of this equation soon, reading the latest letter from our new CEO and answering the phone when they need my help. And while I may take my beautiful bride on a vacation or two, and work a little bit on my golf game, I’ll be ready to pitch in at a moment’s notice. That’s what us Longhorns do.  

Thank you, sincerely, for entrusting me with this role. It’s been the honor of a lifetime.  

Hook ’em,  

@chuckjharris 

Chuck Harris, BBA ’86, Life Member 

Executive Director & CEO, the Texas Exes 

CREDIT: Matt Wright-Steel (3)