About Elite Image
Elite Image was founded by Jared Bard late in 2011. Since its inception, Elite Image has worked to maximize the value of its clients away from the field. Our creative branding strategies allow our clients to reach their full off-field potential, specifically in endorsement opportunities and charitable contributions.
Meet Our Team
Jared Bard
Owner, Operator
Professional Experience:
Elite Image Sports Representation
New York Mets, Advanced Scouting
Signature Sports Group, Sports Marketing
Email: jbard@eliteimagesports.com
A Charlotte native, Jared grew up with a passion for sports. He played four years of Division-I baseball and graduated from the University of Richmond in 2010. During his senior year, Jared helped create corporate sports marketing campaigns for Signature Sports Group. After graduating with a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication Studies, he spent the summer working for Hall of Fame writer, Peter Gammons, which led to an opportunity with the New York Mets. He worked in New York for one year in a front-office scouting role with the Mets before returning to Charlotte to pursue his vision in sports representation. Jared's independent and innovative personality led him to start Elite Image, where he has directed the creative division with great success ever since.
Client Manager
Professional Experience:
Elite Image Sports Representation
Sports That Serve, Director of Development
Europa Sports Products, Accountant
Email: bwalton@eliteimagesports.com
Ben credits the opportunities he has had in his past roles for his current ambition to provide clients with top-quality service. In prior roles, Ben has worked on multiple marketing platforms simultaneously – all while assisting the budgeting efforts of countless nationwide Tradeshows and Expos featuring nutritional supplements from around the World.
Ben graduated in 2010 with a B.A. in Business Administration, majoring in Finance from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His educational background, coupled with the skills and experience attained in his prior positions are an asset to Elite Image. Currently, Ben serves as the Director of Development for the Charlotte-based organization, Sports that Serve.
Charles "Brad" Bradley
Senior Advisor
Professional Experience:
Senderra Funding/Avelo Mortgage, CEO
EquiFirst Corporation, Founder/Chairman
Arthur Young, Tax Audit
Brad is the former CEO of Senderra Funding/Avelo Mortgage, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs. Prior to his work at Senderra Funding, he was Founder, Chairman and CEO of EquiFirst Corporation. EquiFirst began operations in 1990 as a small mortgage lender, and grew into a multi-billion lending operation. The company grew from less than $5 million in annual volume to over $5 billion, with over 1,200 employees. The company was sold to and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Regions Financial, an Alabama-based commercial bank with over $80 billion in assets.
Brad began his career with Arthur Young, an international accounting firm, focusing on real estate tax and audit services. He graduated from Harding University with a B.B.A in Business with a major in Accounting.
In addition to serving as an advisor for Elite Image, Brad serves on the Board of Advisors for Sports Friends, an international missionary organization serving churches throughout the world. He serves on the Board and is President of the Center for a Just Society, and the Board of Harding University's American Studies Institute. He performs personal financial counseling, college teaching, and runs his own private investment company.
He also performs consulting in the areas of growing your company, raising capital, building a winning culture, business ethics and integrity, leadership, management, and selling your business.
Courtney Graham
Event Coordinator
Professional Experience:
Come Together Events, Event Planning
Michael Kors, Public Relations
USC, Student Media
Children's Miracle Network, Events Coordinator
Email: cgraham@eliteimagesports.com
Courtney received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2009 and went on to obtain a graduate degree in Marketing and Communication from the University of South Carolina. Courtney spent time in New York City working in Fashion Merchandising for designer Michael Kors before returning to her hometown of Charlotte. She has recently been involved in corporate event planning projects where she has received great reviews. At Elite Image, Courtney will head up the event planning for our clients' chartiable foundations. Her likeable personality along with her attention to detail make her a great fit for her event coordinating role with Elite Image.
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