At the crossroads of finance, sales, and marketing, Professor Brian Collins brings a unique perspective to Virginia Tech’s Marketing Department, blending analytical elements from his finance background with the relational and strategic mindset of sales and marketing. As the Director of the Virginia Tech Sales Center and Professor of Practice, Collins juggles many responsibilities and has spent the past decade building Virginia Tech’s sales program into the powerhouse it is today.

Collins is a proud Hokie, earning both a B.S. and an MBA in Finance from Virginia Tech. He built a strong foundation of sales leadership throughout his early career focusing on financial services. Although he did not major in marketing or specialize in sales, his experience in banking and mergers and acquisitions gave him a deep understanding of financial decision-making and negotiation, which now inform his approach to teaching sales strategy and marketing leadership. His path also reflects what many professionals and students are realizing today: finance and sales go hand in hand. Collins has seen firsthand how finance majors can benefit from sale skills, such as strengthening their ability to communicate with clients, managing portfolios, and building lasting business relationships. 

What Collins thought would be a one-year hiatus back in 2014 to his alma mater turned into a full-time position as the VT Sales Center Director. With the help of his industry experience and his passion for mentoring future sales professionals, the program jumped from seven to thirty graduates by 2015 and has maintained a perfect placement rate for students specializing in sales since his arrival.

The Professional Sales Program is not limited to marketing students, as Collins highlights, and often attracts students from across Virginia Tech, such as engineering, building construction, and even biology. The Sales Center not only provides mentorship in professional sales but offers students next-level opportunities to elevate their expertise and resumes. These opportunities span from professional certifications in complex software, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and Smart Fox, to competing in regional, national, and global sales competitions. 

Collins has played an instrumental part in new Pamplin initiatives, including updating the marketing curriculum to incorporate digital marketing strategy and AI technology to reflect present-day industry trends. He encourages his students, as future professionals, to use advancements in technology as an opportunity to become pioneers in the field of business.  

Beyond the classroom and Sales Center, Collins serves as faculty advisor to Alpha Sigma Mu. Through this position, he mentors students through every stage of their professional journey. Additionally, he directs the Sales Competition Team and chairs the Sales Industry Board.

Collins remains deeply committed to giving back to the Hokie community that shaped his own career. “Virginia Tech gave me so much,” he reflects. “It’s only right to give back, and by helping our students succeed, we strengthen the entire university”. With his leadership and expertise, Collins continues to strengthen the connection between finance, sales, and marketing at Virginia Tech, preparing students to navigate an ever-evolving business world with authenticity, integrity, and confidence.