You helped found Bike4Alz and MyHammy Vice. What inspired you to get involved with those causes, and what keeps you coming back year after year?
For some reason, I keep running into crazy people with big ideas, and I can’t seem to say no. In high school, my best friend wanted to honor his granddad who struggled with Alzheimer’s disease, just like my grandmom. We rode our bicycles 3,200 miles across the country to fundraise, and 15 years later our nonprofit is closing in on $1 million raised.
The same thing happened with MyHammyVice. I got invited to Hogs for the Cause, a charity BBQ and music festival that supports families battling pediatric brain cancer, and all of a sudden we’ve served thousands of meals, made five trips to New Orleans with smokers in tow, and had BBQ fans as far as Australia order our t-shirts.
Your BBQ team has become known for raising money while serving great food around town and at Hogs for A Cause. What’s your favorite thing to cook and why?
For friends and family, I like to cook pork ribs. I’ve nailed them to the point of getting our team on stage in a competition with 90 teams, including popular restaurants all over the southeast. Plus you can buy, cook, and serve them all in the same day. If something goes wrong with ribs, they’re still great. If something goes wrong with a brisket, you are ordering pizza!
You had a bit of a journey coming into financial planning. How did you end up at Ballast and how did you realize this was the path for you?
My academic career was geared toward becoming a physician, but I chose to leave that path after one year of medical school. As I spent time with late-career physicians, many were disillusioned by the growing influence of mega insurers on one side and large hospital systems on the other. It felt like the patient and physician were tied for third in order of importance.
In financial planning, I found what I was hoping to have with medicine. I get to help people with something that is critically important, now their finances rather than their health. I develop deep relationships with the families I serve, and solving problems for them gives me a great sense of satisfaction and purpose.
Because of that choice, you’ve been with Ballast now for more than a decade. What’s one moment or accomplishment that you’re proud of?
We have done so much cool planning that has really moved the needle for people, letting them enjoy personal freedom and help their families and communities. It is hard to pick one instance.
Earlier this summer my wife and I spent a week in Switzerland, our first big trip as a couple since we had our now five-year-old. I was so proud of our team back in the office and their ability to serve at a high level while I took a break, something that was unthinkable several years ago. I’m so grateful for our dedicated team.
At home, your two girls keep you busy! What are your favorite activities or traditions with them?
You can find us tooling around to parks, UK games, or ice cream on our electric cargo bike. Both girls have a seat on the back. Since big sis could talk I told her she has a special power of bringing joy to everyone she meets. When we bike around and see the big smiles we elicit, it’s clear that both girls have their power working overtime.
Outside of work, where do you find your balance?
What balance?! I’m fortunate to serve grandparents who always remind me that this busy season of life I’m in, with young children and a growing business, is one that goes fast and I will miss one day. My own granddad always said you have to make hay while the sun shines, and I’m out baling past dark somewhere or another about every day!
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