Cast Your Vote for the WRC Board
May 1, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Nominations for seats on the WRC Board are now closed. We congratulate Kyle Muncy, University of Connecticut, and Michael Ferrari, Northeastern University, who have been reelected to the B and C seats respectively by acclamation, and thank them for their continued service.
The election will now begin for the A Category Seat, for which we have two nominees. They are, in alphabetical order:
- Reneé Alarid of Virginia Tech
- Craig Westemeier of The University of Texas
Please find a statement from each candidate below.
Each university or college is eligible to cast one vote. It is important to note that all WRC affiliates are eligible to vote, regardless of category. Voting will be open through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, May 16. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 19.
Best,
Scott Nova and Jessica Champagne
Reneé Alarid
Director of Brand Development and Trademark Licensing
Virginia Tech
With over 20 years of experience in brand development, licensing, and marketing, I currently serve as the Director of Brand Development and Trademark Licensing at Virginia Tech. My background spans higher education, retail, and agency work, giving me a broad perspective on brand management and partnerships.
Throughout my career, I have been committed to ensuring that our licensing practices uphold the highest fairness and ethical responsibility standards. I work closely with licensees and university partners to promote transparency and support labor rights within the supply chains that produce collegiate products. Strong labor standards are not only critical to protecting workers but also essential to maintaining the integrity and reputation of university brands.
In my role, I advocate for responsible sourcing practices and engage in efforts to educate partners and stakeholders about the importance of worker rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions. Labor rights are not just an operational concern; they reflect the values that our institutions strive to embody. I am proud to contribute to initiatives that align our licensing programs with these core principles.
Craig Westemeier
Senior Associate Athletic Director
The University of Texas, Austin
I have been in trademark licensing for The University of Texas System since 1998, beginning my career as the assistant to the Director of Trademark Licensing. I was responsible for the daily operations of the office and served as a resource for trademark licensing, merchandising, and marketing. I also played a key role in transitioning the program from an independently managed office to one that works in partnership with a licensing agency, supporting the Director with insights and research on a broad range of licensing matters.
In April 2000, I was appointed Director overseeing trademark management and registration. I’m responsible for approving licensees, products, and advertisements across all of the UT System. I also manage our athletics department’s retail stores. My work frequently involves reviewing and negotiating trademark-related agreements, ensuring our intellectual property is used responsibly and in alignment with university values.
My involvement in ethical labor practices began during my transition to Director, when concerns emerged about the conditions under which collegiate licensed apparel was being produced. Since then, I’ve remained committed to this issue, serving on the ICLA Board of Directors and helping institutions better understand and navigate the complexities of global supply chains. As a member of the FLA Board of Directors, I’ve visited factories in China, the Dominican Republic, and Turkey, gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges in promoting fair labor standards.
Although The University of Texas has not been a member of the WRC as long as some other institutions, I bring 25 years of deep experience in licensing, a long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing, and a collaborative approach to leadership. I would be honored to contribute to the important work of the WRC Board and to continue learning and supporting fair labor practices throughout the collegiate apparel industry.