John Guppy left England to play college soccer in the U.S. at the age of 18, and he never returned. Instead, he built a career around the sport doing everything from managing U.S. Soccer Federation sponsorships to running the Chicago Fire as its president and CEO. Now he’s launching a new soccer-specific agency called Gilt Edge Soccer Marketing designed to help properties and sponsors connect with U.S. soccer consumers.

Age: 40
New title: Founder, Gilt Edge Soccer Marketing
Previous title: President and CEO of the Chicago Fire
First job: Assistant soccer coach, University of Massachusetts Amherst
College education: Bachelor’s in marketing, New Hampshire College, 1990; master’s in sports management, University of Massachusetts, 1991
Resides: Chicago
Grew up: Winchester, England
Executive most admired: David Stern
Brand most admired: Apple
Favorite vacation spot: Bermuda
Last book read: “New Rules of Marketing and PR,” by David Meerman Scott
Last movie seen: “Journey to the Center of the Earth”
Favorite movie: “A Fish Called Wanda”
Favorite musician: Paul Weller

What will be the biggest challenge in launching your own agency?
It’s the excitement and uncertainty of stepping out on your own. You don’t have the infrastructure of a company behind you. There’s no full-time job and a paycheck. That’s what makes people nervous and intrigues them when they step out on their own.

Why are you doing it?
I’ve always wanted to run my own business and I’m at a point in my life where I’m at a point to do that. The soccer world has evolved to where it’s truly an industry and there’s a need for the expertise that I’ve built up over the years.

Why Gilt Edge Soccer?
If you look up the definition of “gilt edge,” it will talk about the highest quality or value. If you Google it, you’ll pull up British references where it’s used to refer to great goals or games. It’s really about what I’m trying to do, which is to provide the highest-quality marketing services.

Any concerns about the economy as you do this?
Yes. Everyone has to be concerned about the economy. Having said that, soccer teams are still going to be playing next year and brands sponsoring soccer are still going to be advertising.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Leaving my family in England at 18 to come to the U.S.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
Managing the transition for the Chicago Fire from Soldier Field to Toyota Park.

What is your biggest professional disappointment?
Not winning a championship with the Fire.

What is the one element you would like to see changed about the sports industry?
I know this is trivial, but please call the baseball World Series something more appropriate!

This career spotlight is courtesy of the SportsBusiness Journal. CLICK HERE to visit their official website.