When Todd Neer arrived at McMurry University, he was a driven cross-country and track recruit searching for the right fit—not just a team, but a place that felt like home. He found both at McMurry. “The team and people at McMurry were so welcoming that it became an easy choice,” he recalls. That first impression lasted throughout his college years, shaping not only his time as a student-athlete but also the person and leader he would become.
Todd threw himself into campus life, balancing his studies as a Physics major with an active role in organizations that defined his college experience. He found brotherhood and lifelong friendships in Ko Sari Fraternity, served as a Resident Assistant, and continued to compete as part of McMurry’s track and cross-country teams. Each experience helped reinforce the lessons of teamwork, leadership, and service that would later guide his career.
“As a Physics major, I learned the importance of collaboration and problem-solving,” Todd says. “That mindset of working together to identify problems and find effective solutions has proven invaluable throughout every stage of my career.” Those lessons of persistence, curiosity, and the value of community became cornerstones of his professional journey.
After graduation, Todd spent 11 years with Whataburger, holding a variety of project and product management roles. He played a key part in launching the company’s online and app ordering products, helping modernize a beloved Texas brand. During that time, he also met his wife, and together they built a family rooted in love and purpose, raising three children who keep life full and joyful.
Today, Todd serves as Chief Strategy Officer for TSEG, a legal marketing agency dedicated to helping law firms connect with individuals seeking justice for harm caused by negligence. “The work at TSEG feels both meaningful and impactful,” he says. His leadership style, collaborative, hands-on, and service-oriented, reflects the lessons he first learned running alongside teammates on the McMurry trails. “Through cross-country, track, and leadership roles in Ko Sari, I learned the value of servant leadership, leading by example, and working shoulder to shoulder with the team. That style continues to guide how I lead today.”
Even as his professional life flourished, McMurry continued to call him back. A few years ago, Todd and his family returned to Abilene to visit friends, fellow alumni Josh and Kim Poorman (both ’09). Those visits rekindled a deep sense of connection. “Being back on campus felt like coming home,” he says. Soon after, Todd joined the McMurry Alumni Association Board of Directors, where he now serves as chair of the Engagement Committee.
In his role, Todd focuses on amplifying the university’s ongoing efforts rather than reinventing them. “Our committee’s focus is to strengthen and support the amazing initiatives already in place, like the Academic Symposium and the student-alumni networking lunch at Homecoming,” he explains. His goal is to create a stronger bridge between students and alumni, turning shared memories into active mentorship and opportunity.
For Todd, staying involved is about more than nostalgia. It is about legacy. He encourages other alumni to reconnect with McMurry by sharing stories from his visits to campus, often through the eyes of his children. “Seeing my kids cheer for McMurry and explore the campus brings me so much joy,” he says. “It reminds me and others how special this place truly is.”
When asked what being a McMurry alum means to him, Todd’s answer comes with warmth and conviction. “After my family moved away from my hometown, I lost many local ties. But McMurry continues to feel like home, a place of belonging where I can reconnect with familiar faces and the welcoming spirit of Abilene.”
Looking ahead, Todd envisions an alumni network that does more than reminisce. He imagines a future where McMurry alumni actively mentor and support current students, helping them navigate career paths and discover new opportunities. “Some of my most meaningful conversations with students have been about their future careers,” he says. “I want our network to be one that helps them take those next steps with confidence.”
From the cross-country trails of McMurry to the boardroom at TSEG, Todd Neer’s journey is marked by loyalty, service, and heart. His story is a testament to what it means to be McMurry Made—grounded in community, driven by purpose, and always running toward something greater.
Do you or an alum you know have a great post-McMurry story? We’d love to feature YOU! Contact the Alumni Office at alumni@mcm.edu to schedule an interview.