Adam Beard: A Bright Future

BEAVERTON, OR- Meet 25-year-old Adam Beard. He is a young, energetic and results-driven professional currently serving as a Communications Manager at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

Beard grew up in Plano, Texas just outside of Dallas and graduated from University of Texas in 2014 with a degree in journalism and a business foundations certificate. He was able to find his passion and what excited him very early in life and has turned that passion into some great opportunities.

“My passion in life is sport and that came at a very young age,” said Beard. “I am still trying to figure out what exactly I want to do when I grow up, and I don't know if that feeling will ever go away, but I know sport is where belong.”

Beard has had a lot of unique experiences leading up to his career at Nike and feels very fortunate to be where he is at. “I remember when I got the offer from Nike I couldn’t believe it, it was a great feeling,” said Beard.

His team at Nike focuses on storytelling and communicating brand initiatives and product messaging to media. “I really enjoy just working around smart, creative and talented people and it inspires me every day,” Beard said.

While at Texas, Beards work ethic showed as he got involved on campus in print, television and radio contributing to The Daily Texan, Texas Student Television as well as KVRX 91.7. He also had experience working and interning with companies like CBS Sports Radio in Dallas, The Dallas Morning News, KXAN News Austin, USA Today, and ESPN.

His life changing experience he says is when he had the unique opportunity to work for three time Super Bowl champion, and NFL Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Michael Irvin. This relationship helped change Beard's mind set and opened him up to other opportunities and ideas.

“Getting to work with Michael Irvin made me realize that I want to work to serve athletes and it was a life changing moment for sure,” said Beard.

“When working with athletes you quickly realize they are just people who are really good at what they do. Your job is to put your professional hat on and get the work done.”

Beards work with Irvin included but was not limited to scheduling, preparing notes for NFL training camps, preparing Irvin for on-air appearances with NFL Network, arranging travel plans as well as enhancing his social media knowledge.

“Mr. Irvin taught me so many lessons that I will carry with me forever, but the one thing he had always emphasized is teamwork and positivity,” said Beard.

When asked about how to approach working for notable people at a young age or aspiring to work for prolific companies Beard had wise words. “If you have the passion, the will and the drive

to not only work for a notable company but also make a change or impact for that company then you absolutely can do it.”

Beard believes that there are certain characteristics you can obtain and need to obtain that will help you along the way to achieve the goals and dreams you have set out for yourself.

“Confidence, patience, relationship building, creativity, willingness to come up with ideas and being persistent are all important,” said Beard. “I was denied at first to an internship with Nike, but there was something about the company that excited me. I had this internal feeling and could see myself working there, so I tried to be persistent about it."

It is evident that Adam Beard is going places and at 25 years of age. He has built up a great platform for himself as a professional as well as a person and prides himself on positivity to not only his career, but to himself and most importantly to others.

“One of my personal goals is to continue my involvement with the Special Olympics here in Oregon and continue to affect people’s lives in a positive way, I think that is important,” said Beard.

“My advice to young professional’s is don’t ever give up and always be yourself. Don’t let one 'no' prevent you from achieving your goals because all it takes is one yes. And be open to new things, not narrow-minded."

Beard hopes in the future to accomplish some incredible experiences or product launches with his Nike team and strive to be a well-rounded employee with Nike.