Executive Compensation at the Association of Former Students of Texas A & M (Aggie Network)

The alumni association at Texas A & M is formally known as the Association of Former Students of Texas A & M and informally known as the Aggie Network.  A tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c), the Aggie Network’s mission is to strengthen the Texas A & M alumni network.

A relatively small non-profit, the Aggie Network raised about $30 million in 2020, most of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants ($22 million).  Expenses were $18 million with the largest expense reported to be compensation.  166 employees received $7 million in compensation which equates to an average of $42,000.  10 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation:

• $1,009,032:  Porter S Garner III, President and CEO
• $  231,649:  Ronald G Spies, Aggie Park Advisor
• $  217,982:  Kathryn J Greenwade, VP
• $  212,648:  Martin W Holmes, VP
• $  208,464:  Nicholas K Taunton, VP
• $  189,746:  Andrew Arizpe, VP an CFO
• $  166,864:  Cecilee Herd, VP
• $  160,495:  Paul A Lucht, Director of Info Services
• $  132,154:  Scot O Walker, AVP
• $  129,768:  Logan A Freeman, Director of Info Technology

The most highly compensated employee was Porter S Garner, the President and CEO who received more than $1 million in compensation. Over the past 4 years, Mr Garner has received more than $4 million in compensation:

• 2020:  $1,009,032
• 2019:  $1,240,384
• 2018:  $  927,500
• 2017:  $  996,397

It is also important to note the Aggie Network paid for first class or charter travel and companion travel from 2017-2019.

The organization paid for a golf membership at Pebble Creek Country Club.  In addition, companion travel was also paid for.  For information on deferred compensation, see the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information.

10 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $1,869,662:  D Magazine Partners, of Dallas, TX for publishing
• $  452,161:  Texas A & M, Division of FI, of College Station, TX for general services
• $  269,572:  Ruffalo Noel Levitz, of Cedar Rapids, IA for telemarking*
• $  262,607:  Southeast Service Corp, of Knoxville, TN for Landscaping and Custodial
• $  221,617:  Marketing Communication Resource, of Willoughby, OH for printing and mailing

“*” Ruffalo Noel Levitz raised $1.3 million through telemarketing and retained $269,572, or 21%. If you don’t want your donation to pay for telemarketers, don’t respond to these solicitations.

In summary, the Aggie Network raised $30 million in 2020, spent $18 million with the largest expense reported to be compensation.  166 employees received $7 million with the largest compensation awarded to the President and CEO, Porter S Garner who received more than $1 million.  In fact, Mr. Garner has received more than $4 million in compensation over the past 4 years. Why the Board of a $30 million non-profit is being paid $1 million annually is unclear, as the compensation is excessive.  It is also important to note the association paid for first class or charter travel in 2017, 2018, and 2019. With travel limited in 2020 due to Covid, it will be interesting to see if first class travel expenses reappear in 2021.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2020), click here.