Director, North America Marketing, Advanced Micro Devices
Gerald Youngblood, a graduate of the Professional MBA Online program, credits the Jindal School with preparing him to progress beyond the traditional business environment and into the wireless workplace. He now manages marketing and strategy development at Advanced Micro Devices, a multinational technology company that designs and integrates technology for intelligent devices, such as personal computers, tablets, game consoles and cloud servers. He continues to use lessons he learned in an online business simulation activity and recognizes the Jindal School for reaffirming his goal to constructively influence the business world.
Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?
I began my career working for a technology company that specialized in deploying wireless Internet services. At the time, wireless Internet technology was in its infancy.…Following that position, I transitioned into a role at an Internet startup company that distributed email through a cloud network. This was also before cloud networking was well-known, and I have enjoyed overseeing the development of two highly successfully technologies. I also briefly managed and performed in a spoken-word and theater collective.Before joining Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in Austin, Texas, in 2006, I served as a consultant for several Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. At AMD, I currently lead the North America- based marketing team and am responsible for all products, including retail, distribution and embedded channels. I have developed, launched and managed a global channel partner program that was awarded the Everything Channel Partner Program 5-Star Award.* In addition, my team received the AMD 2013 Marketing Team of the Year award, and I have published several articles on global channel management. My career has been a great journey and I believe my education at the Jindal School is an integral part of these amazing experiences. *Editor’s Note: Everything Channel is a technology marketing- and sales-solution company. The 5-Star Partner Program rating recognizes an elite subset of vendors that give solution companies the best channel program offerings and service.
What brought you to UT Dallas?
I was looking for a MBA program that would fit well within my hectic schedule while affording me a high- quality education. I selected the Professional MBA Online program because it offered both a strong academic program and provided the flexibility I needed due to the travel requirements of my job. At the time, I was in an international role and frequently traveled to Asia and Europe, so it was difficult to plan for an executive MBA program. Working at a global company, I became accustomed to managing and participating in large-scale projects without physically meeting many of my co-workers. When I discovered this high-quality online program, I considered it a natural extension of the modern workplace and knew it was the right program for me.Another huge advantage of the Professional MBA Online program was I could “attend” recorded classes as [they] fit my schedule. I could rewind or reread a discussion thread if I missed something, which I did regularly. That is more difficult to do in a physical classroom.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
My favorite memory was participating in the business simulation activity in one of my many marketing classes. It was a humbling experience because the first day (first simulated year) did not go well. I quickly realized that I had to closely monitor my decisions and their impacts while running my fictitious shoe company. I managed to make a comeback in the final “years” and ended the simulation respectably. However, the true benefit of that exercise became very apparent after the class concluded. I was selected for an off-site weeklong training and professional development course for managers and senior staff at AMD. The group project in the course was a business simulation, but the basis for the exercise was a replication of AMD. Due to my prior experience in the business-simulation activity, my team was able to win the exercise by a good margin. I gained a better insight into how my marketing and sales decisions would impact other areas like manufacturing and product design. It was incredible.
Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class and why?
It is hard to select a specific professor or class. I really enjoyed all of the marketing and international management classes, and the course work directly helped me with my day job. I continue to utilize many of the lessons and context from outside of my industry. I have leveraged the lessons to inform the development of a global partner program, market-research projects and even further engagement with our regional teams.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My absolute favorite pastime is spending time with my wife and son. A benefit at AMD is a four-weeklong sabbatical, and I am taking my family to Australia and New Zealand at the end of the year. …I know it is rare to get that much time away from the office, and this is the perfect opportunity to experience several cities and let our son relax with all of the koalas and kangaroos. Plus, I can see my favorite animal of all time, the duck-billed platypus! I also enjoy updating and upgrading computers with my son and consider myself a computer enthusiast. Other interests include running, swimming and practicing yoga.
What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?
Write your goals down, especially incremental goals. I have found that a series of small, quick wins helps me maintain momentum toward my larger goals. Every year I write my goals down, and I set a few goals that enrich my spirit related to my home life. I set a point-in-time goal, like running a race. I also set a few goals that I can’t possibly cram into a short time period. This year alone, I set a goal to run 300 miles, and another is to read 12 books on marketing and strategy. I’m not a long-distance runner or a fast reader so I can’t cram these goals into the last three months of the year. These are goals that I look at constantly and continually challenge me to become a better father and husband, be physically fit and eventually becoming a CMO. Being successful in the business world is a byproduct of general progression in life.
What makes an effective leader?
An effective leader moves others forward together, ensuring the team is greater than the sum of its parts. The progress should be both toward the company’s business goals and the team members’ professional development. I have always appreciated leaders who challenge me to achieve goals that seem almost impossible while encouraging me to grow. Those are the leaders I have learned from and measure myself against.
