Retired assurance partner Ed Salek always dreamed of working in sports. Today, he’s not only fulfilling that dream, but also finding himself at the forefront of one sport’s hottest topics—revenue share in college athletics.
Ed, after nearly three decades with Forvis Mazars, you uprooted from Jacksonville to Atlanta to become associate athletic director/controller for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, Inc. What prompted that bold move?
Ever since I was young, I’ve always dreamed of doing something sports-related. Soon after retiring in 2024, my wife, Melissa, and I also became empty nesters. But after an adult gap year with travel and fun, I grew eager to get back to work. I learned of the position at Georgia Tech and knew this was a unique opportunity at an elite institution.
What is the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, and what does it do?
We are a separate 501(c)(3) organization that oversees and administers athletics at Georgia Tech. We’re involved with all aspects on and off the field—everything it takes to support a large and successful Power Four athletics program. And as collegiate athletics modernizes, we’re in the business of managing revenue share with student-athletes.
Speaking of revenue share, how are the new name, image, and likeness rules impacting the Georgia Tech Athletic Association?
It’s significant. We started revenue share directly last July, just after I joined in June. Our overall budget went from $140 million in FY 25 to $160 million in FY 26. On top of revenue share, we are committed to modern facilities and top coaching staff for our student-athletes.
How are you filling the gap?
Of course, there are conference distributions, ticket revenue, and donor monies, but new revenue generation is crucial. So we’re becoming more entrepreneurial. This year, for example, we added three major stadium concerts—most recently Bruno Mars—something we haven’t done in decades. We’re also keenly focused on management of costs. Fresh thinking about what is really necessary instead of simply a “same as last year” approach.
What are some common misperceptions about paying college athletes?
It’s important to realize we’re creating opportunities for more than 300 student-athletes in 17 sports. Most are tremendously ambitious, committed to being an elite athlete while making the most of a Georgia Tech degree. We also have a fantastic support staff, which includes 100+ Georgia Tech student-assistants. They play key roles in our programs while building valuable careers in fields such as medicine, health and nutrition, business, law, and media, to name a few.
I think the other big misperception is that athletics are profit machines. We’re not. Everything goes to support opportunities for Georgia Tech student-athletes to fulfill dreams in their sports and to earn degrees.
Campuswide, athletics fuel an unmatched energy for all students and those connected with Georgia Tech.
From assurance partner to college athletics seems like a big jump. How did your many years at Forvis Mazars prepare you for your post-retirement “dream” job?
501(c)(3) organizations are unique in our industry. And Forvis Mazars gave me plenty of experience in that area. Directly, we have our own financial statements, audits, tax filings, and numerous other reporting requirements. Importantly, the firm taught me the value of collaborative teamwork. I still use my Forvis Mazars playbook and mouse pad voicing the firm’s Unmatched Client Experience® standards: “Listen to Understand, Be Responsive, and Consult with Purpose to Deliver Value.”
How have you personally benefited from the Forvis Mazars Alumni Network?
It’s great. It helps me stay in close touch with the firm, the people I grew up with professionally, and those with whom I built strong personal friendships. When I return to Jacksonville, I am deeply connected with many great people.
Just this summer, I attended Forvis Mazars’ intern training in Orlando, Florida, to speak with more than 400 incoming interns alongside three fellow alumni on an Alumni Network panel. The experience was incredibly meaningful—reflecting on how building relationships, technical skills, and exceptional client service at the firm—remain with me and how they matter as the interns embark on their journey with the firm.
More About Ed Salek
- Joined a legacy firm of Forvis Mazars in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1996.
- He and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 28 years and have two children, Jon (who coincidentally works in collegiate athletics at Virginia Tech), and Matt, who is a third-year student in nuclear engineering at the University of Illinois.
- Conquered the New York City Marathon. Also enjoys nature, hiking, the arts, and, of course, college athletics.
- Favorite memories from Forvis Mazars include campus recruiting trips. Also loved the balance of elite professionalism serving clients, while also enjoying the comfort to be his unique self in the office—like singing in the hallways—and building human connections with wonderful colleagues!
