Book Nerd | Freedom Lover | Optimist | Stoic
I’m an eternal optimist, and while my family and friends—especially my wife, Kate—may joke about it, this mindset has been instrumental in shaping my long-term approach to life and investing.
My passion for investing started early, thanks to my grandmother, Gloria, who first sparked my interest as a teenager. From then on, I devoured every investment book I could find, and I vividly remember the impact The Intelligent Investor had on me. In those days, I’d rush home from school, eager to catch the latest market news and see how the financial world unfolded each day.
After earning my degree from the University of Kentucky, I served four years as an Air Force Officer, an experience that placed me in leadership roles I thrived in. But when my service commitment ended, Kate and I returned to bourbon country, ready to lay down more permanent roots.
For several years, I worked in the bourbon industry, but my passion for investing never waned. Eventually, I answered that call. After gaining invaluable experience at a regional firm, my entrepreneurial spirit—and the desire to shape a better future for my growing family—led me to establish Vermillion Private Wealth in 2020.
Beyond finance, I’m an avid reader, constantly finding investing lessons in unexpected places—whether it’s the timeless wisdom of ancient philosophy, insights from science, or even patterns in music. This curiosity drives my approach to wealth management, allowing me to think beyond the traditional and uncover unique perspectives that help clients thrive.
Education:
B.A. Political Science - University of Kentucky (2008)
MBA - Quantic School of Business and Technology (2022)
Relentlessly improving in everything I do—because there’s always room to grow.
Anchored in principles.
Positive-sum relationships
In game theory, a positive sum occurs when the needs and desires of all concerned are satisfied - win-win. At VPW, I foster relationships that are beneficial and rewarding to clients and advisors.
Avoid self-deception
Physicist Richard Feynman once said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.” Continuously seeking the truth is paramount in my quest to help my clients.
Act with fairness, & justice
Justice is one of the four Stoic cardinal principles and is paramount to living a life well lived (and operating a successful business).
Be directionally right
Turn-by-turn directions are great unless going to the wrong destination. We can’t always be right, but we can work hard to be directionally right as often as possible.
Help clients own the upside
It’s fashionable to be pessimistic, but I understand the underlying trends are positive. I keep that in mind and help clients own the upside of progress and innovation.