When Georgia Tech Head Football Coach Brent Key remarked, “Georgia Tech is a place where you can come be a first-round pick and a CEO,” the quote quickly gained traction in the media. As football season kicks off, we caught up with three former Yellow Jackets and ISyE alumni to hear how their time on The Flats shaped both their athletic and professional journeys, and the lessons that continue to guide them in the corporate world.

PJ Bain (IE 1991) - CEO, PrimeRevenue
Walk-on Tight End #82 & #84 (1986, 1988 – 1989) 

How did your experience as a GT football player influence the way you approach challenges in your career? I like to tell people that I use what I learned in the classroom at Tech every day, but the lessons from the football field, I use minute by minute. Teamwork, resilience, relying on the person next to you, the daily discipline and rigor, the importance of preparation and constant practice—these are the fundamentals of being an athlete. They’re also the qualities that set leaders apart and drive lasting success, especially in business.

Can you share an example of a work situation where you applied a lesson learned from football? I was a walk-on at Tech—not the biggest, not the fastest, and I was a long way from having the most athletic talent. But I had a role. As a scout team tight end, my job each week was to help prepare the defense for our opponent. If I didn’t show up ready and work hard, along with the rest of the scout team, we weren’t putting the team in the best position to succeed. That lesson translates directly to business: everyone has a role, and every contribution is critical to the success of the organization. In my career, I’ve tried to build a culture around that idea. For our sales team, the goal isn’t just closing a deal, it’s setting up our Customer Success team for a strong implementation. When implementation exceeds expectations and delivers real value, it empowers sales to go back and sell even more value to the client. Success comes when everyone understands their role and how it helps their teammates.

What advice would you give current student-athletes who are pursuing rigorous academic programs like industrial engineering? Enjoy the journey! Whether you realize it or not, your time at Tech is laying the foundation for a life of accomplishment, success, and leadership. When I think back on my experience as a student, an athlete, and a active member of campus life, I remember incredible moments made even more meaningful by the challenges that pushed me and those around me to grow. Growth requires hard challenges, and with those challenges, failure is inevitable. But failing doesn’t make you a failure. Athletics teaches you that no one wins 100% of the time, even the best stumble sometimes. You don’t always learn that in the classroom, but I truly believe we’re built for the struggle of life. So embrace it, and enjoy it.

Derek Goshay (IE 1993) – VP, Genuine Parts Company (Retired) 
Tight End #88 (1988 – 1993) 

What strategies or habits helped you successfully balance the demands of athletics, academics, and personal life while at Georgia Tech? Georgia Tech wasn’t an easy academic environment, but I always kept my ultimate goal in mind. I had friends and family back home counting on me to succeed. As a first in my direct line and the first of my generation to attend college, there were eyes on me I couldn't let down. I was determined to do whatever was necessary to succeed. 

Were there moments when your academic and athletic commitments felt overwhelming, and how did you overcome them? Yes, it felt overwhelming every day, but you had to keep grinding. When you represent something bigger than yourself, you keep pushing. When you realize you’re living an opportunity your parents and grandparents could never have imagined, you keep pushing. And when you carry the weight of those you left back home, as well as the generations who came before you, there’s no choice but to keep grinding—no matter the cost.

How has the discipline or resilience you developed in athletics helped you solve problems in your career? Discipline and resilience are what keep you in the game. You will have setbacks and failures, but the willingness to keep going in spite of them comes from discipline and the resilience to push forward. In engineering, few problems are solved on the first iteration. You have to keep working through it until you find the solution.

Kofi Smith (IE 99, MBA 09) - CEO, Keystone Management 
Cornerback #43 (1995 – 1998)

Can you share a specific example of a work situation where you applied a lesson from your time as an athlete? My first job out of college was with Milliken & Company in LaGrange, GA. The plant manager asked me, ‘Do you want to be a traditional Industrial Engineer running cost analyses and time studies, or do you want a team?’ I asked for the team—and he gave me C Shift. At the time, they were struggling with process reliability, production, and quality. It was sink or swim. Within six months, that team became the best in all areas, breaking and setting records. I drew on a lesson I learned on The Flats: everyone has a specific role that maximizes their unique strengths. My associates were in the wrong positions, so I shifted them, and we started winning the game.

Were there times when juggling academics and athletics felt overwhelming, and what helped you get through them? As a Division I athlete pursuing an ISyE degree, there were plenty of times at Tech when I felt overwhelmed. What I learned then is what guides me today: I pray, trust in God, put in the work, and keep moving forward.

What skills from the football field have benefitted your career as an IE? The top skill I carried from the gridiron into corporate America is the ability to see the whole field. I look at both the individual and collective movements of each player, then zero in on the most important aspects to make the play. I use that same approach today in high-stakes customer meetings and negotiations.