I’m an eternal optimist.
This sometimes leads to jokes from my family and friends, especially my wife Kate, but it serves me well in focusing on long-term goals. I became interested in investing as a teenager, thanks to my Grandmother, Gloria. I read every investing book I could get my hands on. I still remember reading “The Intelligent Investor” and its profound impact on me. I used to rush home from school to watch the business news and see what happened in the financial markets.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky, I served as an Air Force Officer for four years. I loved being thrust into leadership positions, but when my service commitment ended, Kate and I decided to move back to bourbon country and stake a more permanent claim.
I worked in the bourbon industry for several years, but my love for investing kept calling. After learning the ropes for several years at a regional firm, my entrepreneurial spirit took hold. My growing family motivated me to take more control over my life, my business, and my family’s future, so I launched Vermillion Private Wealth in 2020.
BA - University of Kentucky
Executive MBA - Quantic School of Business and Technology
Anchored in principles.
Foster 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.
Seek truth & 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.