Dean Kessel

Kessel is an accomplished senior executive with 20+ years experience in marketing, management, program development and entrepreneurship.

Currently, a Toast Cafe Franchisee and opened his first of the award-winning Charlotte-based breakfast/brunch/lunch concepts in Cary, NC in Oct. 2104.

Kessel also conceived and founded the Pinehurst Concours d'Elegance which made its debut at the legendary Pinehurst Resort in May 2013. Kessel sold the Pinehurst Concours entity in 2013.

Previously, Kessel served as Director of Sprint's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series high-profile sponsorship and was responsible for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series marketing, promotional and communications activities which included marquee events, brand visibility, leveraging corporate partnerships and sponsorship strategic planning.

Prior to joining Sprint, Kessel was Vice President and General Manager for ESPN and its BASS property with full P&L responsibility and oversight of entire 130-person organization including all publications, membership, marketing and tournament divisions.

Before joining ESPN, Kessel directed the sports marketing efforts for Lowe's Companies, Inc. where he managed an influential sports portfolio including NASCAR, NFL, MLB and NBA properties and signed now six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson to race for Lowe's.

Kessel began his sports marketing career at R.J. Reynolds and the Sports Marketing Enterprise (SME) division in its new business development efforts.