Successful tech entrepreneur passes on legacy of inspiration Brian DeFrancesco ’06
in 2006, the two went their own ways. Victor went on to become president of Lake Erie College for the next nine years and then return to Mercyhurst as president in 2015, while DeFrancesco pursued his own career in business and entrepreneurship. With a major in Business Finance and a minor in Computer Systems, DeFrancesco’s career took him across the country, eventually settling in California, where he found a natural ft for both his business and technology abilities. After learning the ropes in roles at various digital data, media, and advertising companies, he quickly worked his way up to become an executive, including roles as vice president of Product and Technology at Vindico and Specifc Media (acquired by Time, Inc.). In his early 30s, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and never looked back. “It wasn’t always easy and there were days when I had more failures than successes, but I always leaned on the foundation and confdence that was instilled in me at Mercyhurst,” said DeFrancesco. “When I failed, I learned, and when I succeeded, I always set higher goals.” In December 2017, the hard work and perseverance paid of, as DeFrancesco led the acquisition sale of his company, Likqid Technologies, a digital video infrastructure provider, for more than $90 million to a large U.S. television broadcaster. After leading the company through its acquisition transition during 2018, DeFrancesco set out on a new mission – to make a diference through philanthropy, inspiration, and thought leadership. The frst step was to reconnect with Victor. Last spring, 13 years after they had parted ways, the two caught up over lunch in the State Dining Room. “It was a surreal experience,” said DeFrancesco, who told Victor about his career path and desire to give back. Victor was equally awed and elated. Like any good teacher and mentor, and Mercyhurst is known for many, Victor felt rewarded to know
that he may have played a role in his former student’s success. Most of all, he was proud that his example had such a profound efect on DeFrancesco. “I really wanted him to know that he set a great example,” said DeFrancesco. “Seeing him devote his time to higher education and to lead and inspire students when he could have easily retired after his successful business career was a great example of how to not defne success from what you achieve in business alone, but by how you give back and inspire others.” Today, DeFrancesco is giving back on multiple fronts. He currently runs SMET Ventures, through which he consults and invests in small businesses to help other entrepreneurs realize their dreams. In addition, he and his wife, Jessica, oversee a charitable foundation they founded to empower people to overcome hardship and enhance their well-being. He’s also showing his gratitude to his alma mater, which was part of the reason for his recent visit to Mercyhurst. “Mercyhurst was a turning point in my life,” he said. “When I heard Michael Victor had become president, I had even more pride in the university and belief in its future, so I wanted to help where I could.” Since reconnecting last spring: • The two re-established their friendship; • DeFrancesco agreed to Victor’s request to become a member of the university’s board of trustees; and,
It’s been said that “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.”While it’s hard to argue that individual achievements don’t validate success, it’s undeniable that inspiration is the greatest legacy that one can create. The story of Mercyhurst President Michael Victor and Mercyhurst Class of 2006 alumnus Brian DeFrancesco is an example of how inspiration and leading by example can have a crucial and lasting impact. A product and technology entrepreneur now living in Orange County, California, DeFrancesco was a senior in the fnal Business Policy & Strategy course that Victor taught at Mercyhurst as dean of the university’s business school. For their senior capstone projects, Victor organized his students into groups, and charged each with preparing a business plan for a local organization. He appointed DeFrancesco to lead the group working with the YMCAs of Greater Erie County. “I recognized Brian’s leadership abilities early on,”Victor said. “I wanted to let him know I believed in him to be a successful leader for the capstone project, but more importantly for his career after Mercyhurst.” DeFrancesco remembers the class well. “It was the culmination of my studies at Mercyhurst and the fnal preparation for the real world of business,” he said. “Students respected Victor immensely because he had been a very successful business CEO. So, when he believed in me, it gave me a ton of confdence – especially at such a pivotal time in my life.” Victor said DeFrancesco and his team did an excellent job on their case study and that the YMCA ultimately put some of their recommendations into practice. DeFrancesco spent the remainder of his last semester learning as much as he could from Victor and getting involved in more leadership initiatives, such as becoming president of Mercyhurst’s Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. After DeFrancesco’s graduation from Mercyhurst
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He generously gifted Mercyhurst the funds it needed to complete renovations to the Hammermill Library.
Most importantly, they share the commitment to continue to collaborate and inspire others in the Mercyhurst community and beyond.
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