News Articles
Mar 28, 2025
March 10, 2025
Marshall, TX – The Honorable Brandon L. Simmons, a technology entrepreneur, corporate attorney, and board director, has been named Distinguished Professor of Business at Wiley University.
“It is a blessing to deepen my commitment to this historic institution. I look forward to teaching students business and entrepreneurship and to leading the development of an institute advancing workforce education and policy. Wiley is the home of The Great Debaters, and I look forward to sharpening students to compete and win in the economy of the future.”
Simmons has served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Wiley University since the Fall of 2024, teaching a course entitled “Freedom Through Entrepreneurship.” He is slated to deliver an Honors Chapel address entitled “God Gave You A Powerful Mind” on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Simmons brings experience in corporate law, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and board governance. He began his career as a law clerk for then-Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson, a legendary federal court of appeals judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan. He later served in the corporate practice of global law firm Hogan Lovells, where he counseled technology companies and investors on transactions and corporate governance. Since leaving his law practice, Simmons has served on numerous corporate boards and in executive leadership in companies in the energy, aerospace & defense, and technology sectors. In addition to leadership roles in venture-backed technology companies, Simmons helped scale a venture capital firm to over $1B in assets under management.
Simmons is an advocate for the transformational power of capitalism and proponent of policies and programs that leverage the economy to unlock opportunity and success for individuals and families. In 2023, Simmons was appointed to the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott. Simmons was unanimously confirmed to the role by the Texas Senate and later elected Chairman of the Board. In 2024, he delivered a Convocation Address at The Imani School and was named a “Legendary Scholar” at the Community of Faith Houston’s Black History Month Celebration. In 2025, Simmons was sworn in to the board of directors of The Texas Lyceum, the state’s premier leadership organization.
Simmons earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stanford Law School. He was awarded the John W. Gardner Fellowship, a joint honor of Stanford University and the University of California.
For more information about Wiley University, please contact Catherine G. Sellers, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management, at communications@wileyc.edu or visit www.wileyc.edu.
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About Wiley University:
Wiley University, formerly known as Wiley College, is a premier liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church. The university is dedicated to fostering social good and developing leaders who make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
