PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Feb. 13, 2023) – Prairie View A&M University students heard one man’s success story of how he grew from his failures to become a top leader at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
That is because while picking up other people’s garbage as a sanitation worker, Tommy Alsbrooks, now senior vice president and chief information officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, decided he wanted a better life for himself and his family. He embarked on a personal journey to achieve the American Dream.
Alsbrooks is the College of Business’ 15th executive-in-residence. The College’s Executive-in-Residence Program, which debuted in 2002, invites industry leaders, company executives, experts and scholars “to address a broad range of key business issues, including leadership and industry challenges, career planning, business ethics and workplace changes.”
Since the program’s launch, past executives who visited the campus include top leaders from various industries, including accounting, technology, finance, music and aeronautics.
“The main goal is to expose our students to leaders from the world of business, public sector, and other parts of the society who can share lessons from their life experience, work, and area of expertise,” said Munir Quddus, dean and professor of economics in the COB. “The generous wisdom and information shared by these executives allow us to build partnerships in the business community, expand our course offerings, and improve the quality of our curriculum.”
Quddus thanked Alsbrooks for his powerful speech on Jan. 30, adding “yet another dimension” to impact students. “The students were drawn to his story and experience as an executive and leader.” Alsbrooks’ visit “more than met the goals we have for this impactful program,” Quddus said, calling it “one of the most authentic and powerful presentations.”
After a failed college career in the mid-1980s, where he ran track for Texas A&M University, Alsbrooks soon found himself driving around Garland, Texas, in a “one-man garbage truck.” Despite his circumstances, Alsbrooks aimed to be the best garbage man he could be, which was one of the most important lessons he learned in life — whatever your job, always strive to be the best.
Although he was great at his job, Alsbrooks knew deep inside that he was destined to do more with his life.
Drawing inspiration from the birth of his son, Alsbrooks eventually saved enough money to attend a local community college, Eastfield College, where he received his two-year degree in computer information systems. “And from there, the sky was the limit,” he said.
Alsbrooks went on to graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.
Now, as SVP and CIO of the Dallas Fed, Alsbrooks is responsible for information technology services for the Eleventh Federal Reserve District.
Alsbrooks began his career at the Dallas Fed in 2003 as an IT program manager in the Desktop Services Center. After holding various positions of increasing responsibility at the bank, he was promoted in 2017 to senior vice president, also participating in committees and serving two years as assistant secretary to the Dallas Fed Board of Directors.
However, Alsbrooks spoke candidly about his successes, as well as his failures, something he learned from one of his mentors at Harvard Business School.
For Constance Williams, a senior majoring in finance interested in a career with the Federal Reserve, that vulnerability made an impact. “His transparency about his failures is something we can all relate to,” she said. “One doesn’t have to be defined by their failures. They can propel you into your future.”
Alsbrooks, a man of faith and family, proudly shared pictures of his wife, children, siblings, and mother during his presentation. He concluded his talk the same way he started, being “real” with students: “Failure is inevitable; we all experience failure. The biggest threat to your success is not other people; interestingly, it’s you. Every day, when you look at yourself in the mirror, know that the person looking back at you does not have to be an adversary.”
The next College of Business executive event will be a conversation with Lorie K. Logan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, on Feb. 14 in the Ernest Boyd and Floretta Brown Collins Auditorium.
Williams is already looking forward to future COB EiR events. “The opportunity to meet, speak with, and learn about people who are where you want to be, is invaluable.”
By Christine Won
-PVAMU-