Brian Stann

Stann brings 18 years of progressive and dynamic leadership experience with a unique track record. He is a Marine Captain having served two combat tours in Iraq and being awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest decoration for valor in combat. Brian is a former world champion mixed martial arts fighter, having competed in the WEC and UFC as a top 10 middleweight in the world for 3 years. Additionally, he served as a lead sports analyst for Fox Sports and the UFC for both College Football and the UFC. Brian’s business leadership includes creating Hire Heroes USA into the nation’s top Military Veteran Employment assistance firm and two Private Equity portfolio companies.

Before joining Hunt, Brian served as Chief Operating Officer at FirstKey Homes, a single-family rental REIT, owned by Cerberus Capital, which owns and operates more than 36,000 single-family rental homes in 25 U.S. markets. In this position, Brian was responsible for all company and property operations, including property management, marketing, construction, and platform execution. He also redesigned all operating procedures while acquiring over 20,000 new homes into the portfolio, along with undergoing two of the largest securitizations in the industry’s history.

Previous to First Key, Stann was President and CEO of Hire Heroes USA for nine years. Under his leadership, Hire Heroes USA built a national reputation of excellence and was recognized as a best-in-class veteran service organization by the Call of Duty Endowment and the George W. Bush Institute. Stann additionally served as Vice President of Corporate Real Estate for MedAssets, a leading healthcare performance improvement company focused on enhancing financial and operational systems for providers.

Notably, Stann completed two combat tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions near the Al-Ramana Bridge during Operation MATADOR in May 2005, the Navy Commendation Medal, 2 Navy Achievement Medals (one w/ combat distinguishing device), and numerous other awards for gallantry in battle and superior performance of duties. He left active duty from the Marines in 2008 as a Captain.

Stann’s MMA (mixed martial arts) career began fighting professionally in 2006, while still on active duty in the Marine Corps. In 2008, he defeated Doug Marshall to become the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) Light Heavyweight Champion, and would continue competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Stann retired as a fighter for the UFC in 2013 but remained involved as a UFC television fight analyst and speaker until 2017.

Stann received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Naval Academy and a Master’s in Business Administration from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. He played football for the Navy Midshipmen while at the Academy. In 2010, he published a memoir about his time on the battlefield and his fighting career. He resides in Alpharetta, Georgia with his wife and five daughters.