When it was announced in February that Jackson Andrews would be stepping down as the managing director of Endeavor Midwest, Andrews said that it was his preference that his successor be a fellow Louisvillian.
That request has been granted, as Justin Brown has been named as his successor.
Brown is the founding managing partner of Louisville-based Bespoke Production Capital.
Brown told me that his reason for accepting the job was threefold: The impact that the organization has on their founders and their companies both at the regional and national level; the resulting network that comes from those founders connecting through Endeavor events; and the opportunity to work with Endeavor Midwest’s board of directors.
“Obviously the work Jackson, the board and the team have put in and built and continuing that legacy,” said Brown, when expanding on his second reason.
Endeavor Midwest — composed of the three-state footprint of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio — is one of eight U.S. regions that represent a 43-country network under the Endeavor Global umbrella, whose mission is to find startups with large potential in overlooked parts of the world. Endeavor Midwest was founded in 2015 by Andrews and founding board chair, David Jones Sr., who founded Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), according to a news release.
In April, the organization hosted a three-day selection panel event in Derby City in which Louisville-based Limitless Minds earned acceptance into Endeavor’s national program.
“The impact of Endeavor over the past 10-years is a testament to the entrepreneurs in our region,” said Andrews in the release. “It is remarkable how far we have come, and we are even more excited for a big future. We all want Endeavor’s impact to be in great hands, and we have found that person in Justin.”
Bespoke focuses on providing private lending for the film and media industry, in particular, by financing the Kentucky film tax credit for producers. The company provides lending services for film productions in other states as well. It also has debt underwriting services.
“You can build great things here. We're doing that — and it’s a blast,” said Brown.
Brown said that it’s the spirit — of founding the next Humana in this region — that he wants to take with him into his new role.
“Regionally speaking … the mission is to be a resource to growing companies and their entrepreneurs … and growing those companies here, or Indianapolis or Cincinnati or Columbus,” he said.
Brown moved back to Louisville about 12 years ago after his career took him to many other parts of the country, including New York City, Washington, D.C. and Tampa, Florida. His first role in Louisville was working for more than seven years in the real estate industry as a principal for the Marian Group.
Brown met Andrews in 2013 through mutual acquaintances when Andrews worked at Barlow Wealth Partners as a portfolio manager and advisor.
“We connected on him wanting to go do something more entrepreneurial, and both of us even back then were very passionate about Louisville and about building it,” said Brown, noting they shared the same sentiment of one day wanting to be a part of “something that creates jobs that would be meaningful.”
Following the news that Andrews would be stepping down, a national search for his successor began, which was directed by Matt Thornton — the principal at Thornton Capital and the chair of Endeavor Midwest’s board — and Martin Low, of On Plane Consulting.
“Justin is an outstanding entrepreneur and proven executive. His energy, background, and experience made him a standout in the search and will serve him well as our next managing director,” Thornton said in the release.
Endeavor Midwest will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary at an invite-only event on Nov. 21 in Louisville. At that time, Andrews will officially hand off the proverbial keys to Brown — and perhaps, announce publicly what his next career chapter will entail.
