Robyn Jones

Partner | Operations

An influential brand strategist with a background in organizational management, sports marketing and the arts, Robyn Jones joins Triumph NIL as a partner, responsible for business operations on behalf of the company primarily managing corporate partnerships, ideation and execution.

Robyn has helped to cultivate award-winning brand and marketing strategies and partnerships for numerous private, public and nonprofit organizations, from local start-ups and Fortune 100 companies to internationally recognized brands like GoPuff, Coca-Cola, Cigna, and Clark Construction to name a few.

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Robyn is a recipient of three degrees from Virginia Tech including a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in law, a B.A. in Urban Affairs and Planning, and MaEd. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Robyn is COO and Director of Marketing at Joba Studio, an award-winning design, marketing, and communications agency. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce where she is also Co-Chair of the Business Resource Committee.

rjones@triumphnil.com

James Cowan, Esq.

Partner | Legal

With 25 years legal experience and as a pillar in the Southwest Virginia business community, Jim Cowan joins Triumph NIL as a founding partner, leading all legal engagements. In this role, Cowan is responsible for contract review, execution and client facing legal- and business-focused conversations.

Cowan is the Chairman of CowanPerry PC, a law firm representing clients in the full spectrum of labor and employment related issues. He handles complex business litigation matters, representing property owners and developers in land use issues and commercial real estate projects. He represents a wide range of employers, business owners and developers in the region, ranging from high-tech start-ups to large manufacturers, and from local property owners to national developers.

Cowan also serves as outside general counsel to a number of prominent companies and non-profits in the region, and as the general counsel to Onward, the New River Valley’s economic development alliance. He is an active member of the Board of Directors of the New River Land Trust and the Virginia State Bar and Employment Section.

jcowan@triumphnil.com

Brenden Hill

Partner | Strategy

Long-time brand management expert and former Hokie football great Brenden Hill joins Triumph NIL as a founding partner, responsible for guiding internal and external strategy. In his role, he is tasked with managing the strategic approach to the NIL ecosystem and partnering with key stakeholders to create sustainable partnerships.

Hill, a native of Newport News, VA and 2007 graduate of Virginia Tech (B.S. Resource Management), started 13 career games on the 2006 #1 ranked Hokie defense. That season, legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster received the Broyles award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach. Brenden was the 2006 recipient of the ACC Top 6 for service award, given to student athletes who demonstrate a commitment to community service.

In his work with The Elite Group, iStrategyLabs and Team Enterprise, Hill structured and executed marketing projects and events involving DeAngelo Hall, Michael Vick, Washington Wizards, Washington Commanders, NMAAHC, and Broccoli City Music Festival among others. Brenden has completed Cornell University's leadership certificate program with a focus on organizational leadership and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Coaching and Sports Leadership program at Randolph College.

bhill@triumphnil.com

Doug Hicks

Partner | Communications

With more than 25 years of professional sports communications and marketing experience, Doug Hicks joins Triumph NIL as a founding partner, leading all communications efforts. In his role, the Blacksburg, VA native is responsible for organizing outward facing media efforts, building partner presentations and recaps. His efforts will also focus on the development of individual and organizational profiles, based in authenticity and core values and interests, designed to increase visibility for partnerships, leveraging various media platforms.

Hicks currently works as a marketing consultant for Sinclair Broadcast Group, based in Birmingham, AL. There he helped found Birmingham Legion FC as the USL club’s original executive vice president. Hicks arrived in the Magic City following four seasons with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and 13 in executive capacities at D.C. United. Acknowledging the quality relationships built with local and national soccer media, Major League Soccer honored Hicks’ work four consecutive years (2004-2007) with the Team Public Relations Award. United also earned two league community relations awards under his supervision, while the Fire were distinguished for the club’s digital media offerings in 2017.

Hicks has also served as a communications consultant for the U.S. Soccer Federation, an adjunct professor in the Georgetown University Sports Industry Management program, teaching leadership in management and public relations courses during his four-year tenure, as well as three seasons with the Washington Capitals (NHL) and four with the Washington Bullets (NBA).

dhicks@triumphnil.com

Kevin Jones

Partner | Creative

A local entrepreneur, former NFL running back and Hokie football legend, Kevin Jones joins Triumph NIL as a founding partner, responsible for the vision, development and execution of all creative assets for Triumph, partnership clients and athletes.

Following an All-American career at Virginia Tech and seven NFL seasons, Jones returned to Blacksburg and is a graduate of Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Pamplin College of Business, has a B.S. in Industrial Design, a minor in Art History, as well as an MBA.

Jones also serves as the CEO of Joba, a design and compelling communications agency in Blacksburg, VA. He also worked for Virginia Tech Athletics as an Assistant Athletics Director for Special Projects and Design - where he was integral in the conceptual redesign of Union Park at English Field, as well as the Merryman Athletic Center. Kevin also previously interned for USM - a renowned Swiss manufacturer of modular furniture, in addition to Scott Sports - Switzerland's premier outdoor sporting brand, where he worked on designing ski equipment and bicycles used in the Tour de France.

kjones@triumphnil.com

Joey Harrington

Partner| Research and Development

A first-generation college student and current Virginia Tech sophomore from Virginia Beach, VA, Joey Harrington joins the Triumph NIL team as a founding partner, charged with leading the execution of partnership KPIs, event management, maintaining compliance issues and relationships with student-athletes.

Harrington is pursuing his Bachelors of Science degree in the Pamplin School of Business, majoring in Corporate Finance and Management. He is also currently employed as a student intern at CowanPerry PC.

jharrington@triumphnil.com

Mitch Gerber

Mitch Gerber has spent more than 10 years in collegiate sports helping leverage some of the nations premier brands including Penn State University, the University of Florida, the Big 12 Conference, and Iowa State University. Prior to joining Triumph NIL, Mitch operated as the On-Air Talent/Feature Content Producer with Penn State Athletics from 2018-2022 where he was tasked with covering 31 sports. Before arriving in Happy Valley, Mitch was the On-Air Talent for the University of Florida, the Big 12 Conference, and Iowa State Athletics.

Mitch’s innovative mindset has helped athletic departments, student-athletes, coaches, and businesses build their brands by reaching over 200 million people throughout his career. He’s responsible for launching more than 30 live shows that aired across multiple verified team accounts and regional TV outlets. His work has been featured on the SEC Network, Big Ten Network, FS1, and multiple Fox Sports regional properties. Mitch also spent time in the private business sector with J1S as the Director of Creative / New Business in 2022 and LDWW where he served as the Creative Director in 2018.

mitch@triumphnil.com