So let’s begin with the Coast Guard. How did serving change your perspective on the world?

Serving in the Coast Guard helped expand my world in a way that I never saw coming. At 18 years old, I sailed across the Atlantic and conducted joint missions with European and African navies and Coast Guards. It made me realize that there is so much more to the world than my little slice of suburbia in Dallas/Fort Worth.

How has that experience shaped you into the person you are today?

Leaving high school, I had no direction or purpose. Throughout my time in the Coast Guard, I met many intellectually curious people who pushed me to go to university. I got into Wesleyan and life has been a dream since! I met life-long friends, developed a passion for learning, and my career is heading exactly where I want it to.  

Is there anything you look back on and think, “Wow. I did that.”

When I think back on my journey to VMG, it never ceases to amaze me how far I’ve come. I went from being a directionless teenager to traveling around with the Coast Guard to attending college to becoming an industrials banker, and now I’m helping VMG invest in and partner with some of the most impactful consumer brands in the country.

That is quite the journey!

It’s hard not to lookback and smile.

What opportunities excite you the most in your work with brands here at VMG?

Being able to partner with both founders and the teams they’ve built is exhilarating! They have so much passion for what they do that it is inspiring to be a part of their journey. When I’m given an opportunity to help solve a problem for one of our brands, that is an opportunity to show that VMG does more than just provide capital to help facilitate growth. We take an active role, offering as little or as much help as these teams need. To me, that is what partnership is all about, and being able to act on those values with VMG is a privilege.

What do you most appreciate about the VMG team you work with?

The VMG team is mission driven: we’re striving to help facilitate the success of the consumer ecosystem. The entire team moving in lockstep toward that goal is something to behold! I’ve been a part of successful and effective teams before, both from my experiences in the Coast Guard and in banking — the team that VMG has built is in line with the best of those teams. Being able to plug in and contribute is one of my favorite experiences.

Even more reason to smile?

I never need a reason…but yes. ( :

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