In my many travels while in the performance of my trucking duties and especially when I’m traveling in the Atlanta area, I often reflect on my brother Aaron and the friendship we shared in high school! He was such a pleasant, thoughtful and intelligent young man when we were growing up in Oak Ridge, TN in the mid to late 80’s. Although we lost touch, we were able to briefly reconnect via Facebook before his untimely death. I’m tremendously saddened that I didn’t get a chance to see him in our adult years, but I know I will see him again in the afterlife at the Great Marriage Supper of the Lamb! I just hold dear all the many times we hung out at either his house or mine, playing pickup basketball or playing a game of billiards at the Civic Center. He was the most intelligent person, especially at Math, that I’ve ever met in person and seemed to pickup the concepts of higher mathematics without barely even opening his textbooks! He also didn’t take any crap from anybody either, in spite of his easygoing and laid back demeanor. For example, we both had a mutual enemy in school who liked to try to bully either one of us due to our reputation and status amongst our fellow students and the faculty at ORHS. He was slightly jealous and envious of us and always threatened that he would beat us up, but we payed it no mind and kept to our business. One day while at recess and walking on the school track, he approached me to start a fight, but I warned him that the fight may not turn out in his favor and he backed up and realized the seriousness of my position. At the time his girlfriend, who was a twin and one of the stars of our girls basketball team and also personal friends of Aaron and I due to our association with SECME (Southeastern Consortium for Math and Engineering) told him that if he tried to fight me, that she would break up with him. Fortunately for me, he acquiesced, but not so with Aaron. He approached Aaron in the school hallway and started a fight with him, but from recollection and from what I heard, Aaron gave as good as he got and many people who witnessed the fight said that Aaron prevailed! Although he was suspended, it didn’t affect his sterling reputation and classroom excellence, but further solidified his character as a stand up guy and one not to be messed with! Our mutual enemy eventually apologized to Aaron and I and we instantly forgave him and never brought it back up again. I wanted to share this particular story with his wife and children, but due to the many family and friends that were paying their condolence's at his funeral, I didn’t feel it was necessary to share that story until now.  Aaron, you will never be forgotten brother, and my continual prayers and intercession,  especially for your family, to our Heavenly Father shall be extended at each mention of you! May God bless and keep the Hackett family!! Peace and Love!! 

Hello family and friends of Professor Hackett,

The Hackett family has been top of mind for me over the last few months.  I took his Brand Management course during my Evening MBA at Tech, I worked on his marketing practicum course, and Professor Hackett mentored on a regular basis to help me succeed just like he did. Professor Hackett had a huge impact on my life. I wanted to honor him by writing a speech for Scheller's MBA graduation. While I did not have the honor of being selected, I still wanted to share what I wrote. Here is the main excerpt that I wrote on him and his impact. The rest of the speech has elements of him woven in, but I felt it would be too long to post:

Here is the most valuable story of effort I learned from our late professor and personal mentor of mine who passed away last year. One of Georgia Tech’s best. Professor Aaron Hackett…

Professor Hackett’s Strategic Brand Management course was a favorite by any student that took it. It was because of the choices he made. The thoughtfulness in the experience, honing his craft each year. Hackett put in effort to listen, to challenge thought processes, to be kind, to give constructive feedback. He was so sharp, he wrote his own book "80/20 Brand: Brand Building with a P&G Edge" after listening to the students needs. He even went beyond the classroom to teach the students real life lessons. Because of his effort, the students felt seen, inspired, motivated. I wanted to put every ounce of effort into mastering brand management... 

Oh Aaron, you’ve left us with no air in this space. We’re lost, still in shock and despair in this place. But your soul has gone on to a much better place, and that smile we all embraced shall never be replaced.

May 8 was the day the earth was graced by your birth. Your parents’ first, their hearts burst with a pride that made the room glow. May 8 is now the day we remember your face, and the glow in the room is your halo. 

A dear son, loving husband, proud father, great friend, Uncle Aaron, amazing brother, God-fearing til the end. A professor like no other, it’s no wonder your students adored you. They adorned you with awards. Your knowledge poured. You paid it forward! 

Your wisdom was abundant, your knowledge was transferred, through your life, to your wife, now to Nadia at Stanford. You ran your race, and like Naomi, you finished in first place. Ingrid & the girls have shown nothing but strength and true grace. 

The epitome of a man, of what and how a man should be. You planted your seeds in a garden of three. You wrote the book on product placement and placed it in our hands. Now AJ will grow up to be his own Brand! 

Darrel and Lisa got to grow up with you. Your Kappa brothers all looked up to you. Nobody could keep up with you!  We admired you. We miss you. 

You executed your plan. I hope you grew to understand the respect you commanded and the many fans you had. Now a scholarship’s enacted for the lives that you impacted. You had class! Made those stacks! Well the facts are the facts!

Even in death, you’ve taught us lessons, first and foremost: count your blessings! Make Quality Time, not excuses. Love hard, hug your kids, be present in the midst. Be kind, be honest, ‘cos tomorrow…. is not promised.

What a force Professor Hackett was. His passion for teaching and great personal stories really made an impact on his class.  He was a genuinely nice, funny and lighthearted human being. My heart goes out to his family. Cherish the memories you have of him. I wish you all the best and blessings to you all.

I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news of Aaron's passing. I am praying for your family’s comfort. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help lighten your load. Love Karen, Maya and Malik

Ingrid,

I'm so sorry your loss.  Sending some prayers, strength, and light to you and your family during this time. 

Ferd

like it was yday.  i remember coming back to the university of tennessee and telling the engineering program i wanted to have dinner with the highest potential students in the engineering diversity program.  Aaron and Darrel came with the highest of recommendations.  It was even better that they both were members of Kappa Alpha PSI!  we discussed their goals and ambitions and explored ways to get there.  and did they ever.  

while i really wanted aaron to go to my Bschool alma mater, Kellogg, i got on board with them heading west to stanford...  and it was a true joy watching aaron do everything he set out to do.  be a superstar in marketing, (even without going to kellogg), becoming a beloved husband and father, and pillar of the community.  

His star shined so bright, and lit the lives of so many, including mine as we exchanged messages over the years.  He has passed that light on in his beautiful family to carry forward.  Aaron, much love.  you are greatly missed.  YITB.

Dwight

I was deeply saddened to learn of Aaron's passing.  He was a classmate of mine and was a good friend to us all at the GSB.  I will always remember him for his kind nature, positive attitude and warm, welcoming smile.Sending love to Ingrid, Nadia, Naomi, Aaron Jr., Aaron's parents, Darrel, Lisa, and the rest of Aaron's family.Dawn Childs

Darrel ,

I was saddened when I heard the news of Aaron's passing. May you and the  family find peace and comfort in His love.

Karen Bass 

Professor Hackett was one of my favorite professors I had during my time at Scheller - I always look forward to his class, especially to hear his unique stories from his career. His passion for what he did and teaching truly shone through and I feel grateful I got to be one of his students. I’m so saddened by his passing and am sending all my positive thoughts to his close ones. 

So Sorry for your loss, may the Lord give you strength and comfort during this time.   

William Clements 

To the Hackett Family, 

Carol and I are so saddened to hear of Aaron's passing. I personally have fond memories of our friendship, his mentorship, and guidance in my life and career. From our days at P&G and over the years, I will cherish the time in person, text, email and over the phone that we shared. 

Ingrid and Lisa, we share our deepest condolences to you and the family during this time. God bless, comfort and keep you during this time.

I met Aaron through his sister, Lisa! Every time I saw him he was such a positive light. The world will surely miss his smiling face! I am so happy that he had a wonderful wife and family.   Although he achieved many things, I am sure his greatest achievement was finding the love of his life and having three beautiful children. I am  praying for all of you during this unbelievable time. With my deepest sympathy, Kari Foster🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️

I was in Professor Hackett's Brand Management class this semester. He was one of the best professors I have had during my time at Tech. His class was always interesting, and he taught me so much about both the field as well as how to be a better person outside of the classroom. Although I only knew him as my Professor, I will use the lessons and ideals he taught me for the rest of my life. He made a powerful impact on me, and I am so thankful I had the chance to know him. May he rest in peace.

Professor Hackett was my favorite teacher I have ever had and his brand management class is my favorite class I have ever taken. I had his class circled before I even joined the program. To me, Strategic Brand Management was the MBA.

I work in brand management too and share his passion for "turning science into art". His passion for brand management and teaching was clear even before the first time I stepped foot in his class. It felt like nearly every MBA student would say their favorite class they took at Tech was "brand management with Hackett". They were right.

Every day at work I would try to apply his teachings to the brand I currently work on - EVEN Hotels. The book he wrote has been permanently on my desk and I refer to it whenever I need guidance. Knowing that he translated his life long knowledge into a book provides me some comfort dealing with his loss.

Professor Hackett was a master at influencing people. Everyone at Scheller held Professor Hackett in high regard. He was kind and thoughtful. He would listen to people's ideas. He made people feel seen. He fostered creativity and brought the best out of everyone who took his class. He showed others how to improve and would encourage them along the way. Because of that he was loved by nearly every student who crossed his path.

It was apparent that he would give everything he had to teach us and I reciprocated his effort. In fact for his I Am a Brand Project I wanted to take his project as far as I could and impress him. I made an entire music video that I performed live in his class to make sure he knew I understood the assignment. Professor Hackett had a huge grin on his face the entire time. I think he appreciated my effort, goofy personality and creativity.

Professor Hackett saw me for who I was and validated me as a professional and a human. I was honored when he agreed to mentor me after the class and when he asked me to lead a project for his marketing practicum this year.

Losing Professor Hackett broke my heart. The world lost a family man, a professor, a mentor, a friend and many more roles he played in other people's lives. I have been thinking of the Hackett family the last few days. I cannot imagine the pain this loss has been.

I will carry on his legacy in brand management the best I can to honor his memory. He deserves the best out of his students, mentees, and friends because he gave his best to all of them.

My deepest condolences to you and your family. 

To Aaron's family: Aaron was so positive and so kind.  I remember him as funny in a kind way. In groups at business school once he got to know the group - he didn't mind levity and lightness.  It gave such a welcoming space to the room when he invited comments in that tone of lightness.

Andre and Kimberley Goode extend our deepest condolences to the family of Aaron Hackett and especially my BMO colleague Darrel. We never met Aaron but feel his love and spirit through the wonderful stories shared by his family and friends. You all are in our prayers for strength during this difficult time, and we know your faith and all that Aaron poured into you will sustain you. 

Aaron, my God brother you will be missed very much.

To the Hackett family may God comfort all of you through this difficult time. 

Ingrid and family, The Hill Family sends love and hugs to all of you. Aaron was such a special man. We remember him warmly. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. 

Ingrid,

I was deeply saddened to learn of Aaron's passing.  He had such positive energy with everyone he encountered. I will continue to pray that God's strength fill you and the kids. His arms stay wrapped around you guys.  Please know that I love you guys .

I was deeply saddened to learn about Aaron's passing. He embodied a remarkable positive energy that touched everyone he encountered. At Tabula Rasa Academy we knew him as exceptional and deeply involved father.