Jerald Huggins received his BS from the department in 1997. He currently owns and operates the two bustling and delightfully efficient Chick-Fil-A locations in the city of College Station.
What degrees have you obtained from Texas A&M University?
I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Systems Management in 1997.
What drew you to A&M?
My brother attended Texas A&M and graduated in 1992 with an Agricultural Development Degree. I visited a few times and fell in love with the atmosphere. Additionally, I grew up in a small town in Pineland, 90 minutes north of Beaumont in East Texas. The traditions mirrored my small town values and were a leading factor as to why I chose to go to school at Texas A&M.
What was your time like at A&M and the department?
I originally wanted to be a mathematics major and actually during freshman orientation changed my major to agricultural business. The spring semester of my freshman year, I changed over to agricultural systems management (AGSM). That was where I knew I needed to be. I enjoyed the topics and the classes outlined in the curriculum.
I was frequently in the computer lab at Scoates Hall studying and working on AGSM projects. I also spent a lot of time with my roommates attending the Texas A&M football games and other sporting events. I became involved with the Alpha Mu Honor Society within the department. I still keep up with a couple people from the AGSM program that I met while at Texas A&M.
Additionally, I worked full time as an apprentice meat cutter at Appletree Supermarket that was located on Harvey Road. During my senior year, I joined Chick-fil-A part-time as an hourly team member.
What are you doing now?
I am a franchisee with Chick-fil-A in College Station. I am the owner and operator of two locations. One is on the intersection of Texas Avenue and Harvey Road and the other location is on the intersection of Highway 6 and William D. Fitch Parkway in South College Station. We have over 150 employees and generate over 4,000 transactions per day. I have been with Chick-fil-A since my senior year in college at Texas A&M. I fell in love with the restaurant business and pursued becoming a Chick-fil-A operator. This past November of 2016, I celebrated 20 years with Chick-fil-A: 5 years as a team member and 15 years as an operator.
What are some of your hobbies or activities?
I enjoy sports, collecting sports memorabilia and spending time with my family traveling. My family and I enjoy attending Christ United Methodist Church in South College Station and my wife is a high school math teacher at Brazos Christian School. Our son is 5 years old and in pre-kindergarten, so we spend a lot time watching him grow and enjoying those “kid moments”.
Is there anything else that is unique about you that you want to share?
When I was close to graduating, I wanted to find that “perfect” job out of college. I had a couple of phone interviews with some companies that collaborated with the department but I wanted to do something that I truly enjoyed and I chose to stay with Chick-fil-A. I did not know that 20 years later it would be what it is today. I encourage all people who are trying to find a job out of college to pursue many avenues, take risks, and choose what makes you ultimately happy.
For more information about Chick-fil-A Aggieland, visit
http://cfarestaurant.com/aggieland/about.
Article by Whitney Steinmann
For details about this news story and others please contact Stormy Kretzschmar, stormyk@tamu.edu.