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His enthusiasm is contagious. He is a natural leader that transforms average employees into high performers.

• quick study for someone who did not have a background in recruitment and admissions
• excellent decision-maker in an environment that was hostile at times
• 'kept his cool' under pressure
• creative problem-solver
• consummate creator of partnerships throughout campus
• big-picture thinker who could also roll up his sleeves and manage the details when needed
• saw the connections where others could not
• valued others and their input
• honest supervisor who inspired Direct Reports
• visionary manager of people, information, and funding sources

The list could go on....

Over my three years at Tech I formed a close relationship with not only Robert Shindell, but also his amazing wife Christy Shindell. They both embraced me as an addition to their family, often giving advice not only in regards to school, but personal issues as well.

Also, during my tenure at Tech, he was a major catalyst in personal aspirations to start my real estate development firm, Collins Capital Investments (CCI). Initially, I was a bit timid about this dream, and the ability to accomplish it, but he always pushed me forward and encouraged me when I needed it. Not only did he give words of encouragement, but he took it a step further and put action behind his words, opening up his extensive list of contacts and personal relationships to help jump start CCI. A great example of this is his introduction to Dr. Randall Pinkett, season 4 winner of Donald Trump's The Apprentice. Through his introduction to Dr. Pinkett CCI was able to gain some amazing publicity through being profiled in his book "Campus CEO" and also a feature article in the February 2007 edition of Black Enterprise, a nationally syndicated and well respected magazine.

There is no doubt in my mind that my experience as a student at Texas Tech University and my professional career would have been completely different was it not for Robert Shindell. He helped to bring me out of my shell and was a major catalyst in the inception of what is now a full-service real estate development firm headquartered in Dallas, TX.

He consistently demonstrates leadership skills and has an amazing gift of creating a safe and exciting environment for students and staff from multiple backgrounds to learn and grow. Mr. Shindell is gifted at implementing innovative and developmental activities that accomplish his ultimate goal of empowering others. He is straightforward, professional, organized and structured. Robert Shindell leads by example yet maintains a teachable attitude.

Some individuals take the offering of an endorsement quite lightly and are happy to provide one for any associate that might ask. I, on the other hand, take them very seriously because I understand the pivotal role this document can play in the decision to hire a new employee; one of the most expensive and important investments any organization can make. For this reason, I am extremely selective in who I will recommend and thoughtful about what I convey. Having said all of this, it is indeed my great pleasure to speak on behalf of Mr. Robert Shindell.

I have known Robert for the better part of nine years, most of that time in a role as a consultant to the Rawls College of Business and as volunteer leadership instructors for our fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. I can count on one hand, with a few fingers to spare, the number of professionals that I have worked with in my career that are of the caliber and integrity of Mr. Shindell or share his personal dedication to excellence in both his life and his career.

Robert Shindell possesses a multitude of skills and talents to be sure. He is very thoughtful and shows excellent attention to detail, demonstrates a high EQ with absolutely superb interpersonal communication skills and handles even the most difficult tasks with calm confidence. He is a strong strategic thinker, yet equally adept in turning those ideas into positive action. He is genuinely gifted in his ability to build and lead teams, but is also comfortable and enthusiastic as a follower/collaborator. In the past 15 years I have had the opportunity to work with executives in more than 30 top firms, including GE, IBM, Merrill Lynch and Microsoft and I can say without reservation that Robert Shindell is in every respect one of the most impressive and effective leaders I have known. I believe the best indication of my opinion of Mr. Shindell is that if I had a position available that was a match for Rob's skills and career path, I would hire him immediately.

I was privileged to have experienced Robert's visionary leadership 2007-2008 -- while he effectively and strategically transformed my 40 co-workers and me into a high-performance, results-getting, enthusiastic team in the Office of Recruiting and Admissions at Texas Tech University.

I was in awe of Mr. Shindell's mastery of managerial skills, a hands-on management style; the ability to train, develop, motivate and mentor a staff of 40+ and participate collaboratively as a member of TTU's leadership team. He believes in personalized, relationship-building attention to every prospective student and understands and honors deeply each individual (prospective/students, their families and colleagues). He also understands the recruitment, admissions, yield/enrollment and financial, legal and ethical implications for first-year and for transfer students.

At Texas Tech University, Robert created several powerful leverage points to attract and retain high-performing students: immediate/IMPACT scholarships as well as scholarship endowments. He established a new position -- a person in financial aid to cultivate donor relationships and connect recipients with their respective benefactors: great for the students, for the donors and for Texas Tech!

Because he learned from national experts in the Enrollment Management field and conducted his own indefatigable research, Robert served effectively with community and Texas Tech leaders on the Chancellor's African-American Enrollment Taskforce, the Chancellor's Hispanic Enrollment Taskforce and the Chancellor's International Enrollment Taskforce. He is savvy about best practices in student recruitment, direct mail, electronic and Web-enabled recruiting strategies, territory and funnel management, telecounseling, campus visitation programs and strategies, the effective use of enrollment software and effective use of data and information in planning and decision-making. In fact, a strategy he recommended was subsequently approved by the TTU System board of regents and will be implemented university wide.

Despite higher education's inevitable philosophical or political challenges, Robert Shindell always remains the consummate professional: focusing on the highest and best for all concerned (the college/university, colleagues and prospective/students and their families). He rises above pettiness and is an admirable leader, manager, supervisor, co-worker and life-long friend. I would be overjoyed at the opportunity to work with or for him again.