Chasing What Matters

Our guests today is David Gregory.  

David Gregory is Founder and Conductor Emeritus of the Georgia Wind Symphony, former Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education at Reinhardt University, and Conductor Emeritus of Tara Winds Community Band.

Over his career, Dr. Gregory has conducted bands at every level—from elementary students to professional ensembles—and has led groups invited to perform at 46 major state, regional, and national conferences.

He has served in leadership roles at Hardaway High School, Forest Park High School, the University of Florida, Clayton County Schools, and Reinhardt University, while appearing across the United States and abroad as a conductor, clinician, and presenter.

His honors include Reinhardt University’s Elizabeth Moss Bailey Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, induction into the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors, and recognition as a Midwest Legend.

And while his résumé is remarkable, to our family he is also Cheryl’s husband, Rhonda’s brother, my brother-in-law, and Jacob’s uncle.

David Gregory Website

David Gregory Book

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Mark Miller is a Wall Street Journal and international best-selling author, communicator, and the former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A. Mark’s leadership journey at Chick-fil-A spanned 45 years beginning as an hourly team member in a local restaurant, and during his tenure the company grew from seventy-five restaurants to over 2,700 locations with annual sales exceeding $19 billion. 

Today, Mark serves as the Co-Founder of Lead Every Day. Mark began writing almost twenty years ago, and with over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages, his global impact continues to grow. 

In addition to his writing, Mark enjoys encouraging and equipping leaders. Over the years, he’s traveled to dozens of countries teaching for numerous international organizations.

Married to Donna, his high school sweetheart of forty years, they have two sons, Justin and David, a daughter-in-law Lindsay, and three amazing grandchildren Addie, Logan, and Finn.

Mark Miller

Mark's Books

Mark's Cell: 678-612-8441

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Andrew Dyrhood is the founder of Bend Advisors, the nation’s first board-governed executive coaching, advising, and resourcing firm. Bend works across the full arc of ownership, from startup founders to fourth-generation dynastic family businesses. Much of Andrew’s work lives in the hardest parts of that journey: succession, next-generation transitions, and the silence that so often surrounds family enterprise. He built the Bend way, a six-conversation framework that helps owners organize the complexity of passing something on rather than pretending it’s simple.

Bend also celebrates the people doing this work well. Its board collectively selects the recipients of two recognition programs, the Bend Formation Award for entrepreneurs and the Bend Landmark Award for family enterprise, who are featured in the Bend Quarterly, a no-ads print newspaper distributed to 1,000 subscribers once a quarter.
 
His path to advising ran through professional wakeboarding, a stint in vocational ministry, and a career as a geologist in his in-laws’ private equity energy business, where he learned to help leaders make high-stakes decisions without perfect information. That experience inside a family enterprise shaped the love he has for the work he does today. He also serves on the board of WayForward, which helps people connect with God through wilderness adventure trips.
 
Andrew and his wife Brynne have been married 14 years and have three daughters, Gray, Ellis, and Miller. Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he’s a beekeeper and mountain biker who hunts trout in his spare time. 

Bend Advisors 

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

TJ Connor is the Executive Director of Texas for Pine Cove, where he has served for the past 12 years. Originally from Philadelphia, TJ now lives in College Station and oversees Pine Cove’s various camp locations across the state. He is known in the camp community by his camp name, “Philly.” TJ and his wife, Chelsea, have three children: Nash, Hadley, and Brock. 

Pine Cove Christian Camps 

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Brad Flurry is a husband, father, Marine, and pastor who has spent his entire adult life on the frontlines of leadership, first in uniform, then in ministry, and always at home. His journey began in the United States Marine Corps, where he learned the power of discipline, courage under pressure, and the unmistakable weight of responsibility. 

After leaving the military, Brad transitioned into pastoral ministry, where he has spent over a decade equipping families, developing leaders, and building healthy teams. Today he serves as the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, where he oversees staff development, discipleship strategy, and Empowered Homes—a global initiative designed to strengthen families and resource parents for everyday leadership.

Brad and his wife, Liz, have raised two sons and continue to invest their lives in building strong families, mentoring leaders, and cheering on parents who are choosing the hard, holy work of showing up every day.

Bias For Action Book

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Joe Daly is the founder of Daly Goods, a custom Leather goods company based in Waco, Texas. 

He is from Minnesota, met his wife in Missouri, and now proudly calls Texas home.

He loves helping people give a good gift, and he is doing his imperfect best to leverage his life and his company to spread the message of biblical generosity.

He has been married for 13 years and has two boys. When he’s not working, he’s probably sipping single origin coffee, reading a book, or traveling with his family.

DALY GOODS

CODE: CWM

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Mario serves as President of Holt Lunsford Commercial, where he works alongside Founder and Executive Chairman, Holt Lunsford to lead the firm across all service lines and markets. He helps oversee a team responsible for leasing and managing approximately 100 million square feet of commercial real estate across Texas.

Before joining HLC, Mario served as President or CEO of multiple organizations for more than a decade and held roles with Transwestern, The Staubach Company, and CBRE. His experience spans leasing, development, investment, and tenant representation across both office and industrial sectors

Beyond his professional work, Mario has led several nonprofit organizations with global impact and continues to serve on multiple boards.

 But more importantly, Mario is a husband to Lynelle, a father of seven, and a grandfather to fifteen — roles he would tell you matter most.

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Cory Carlson is an entrepreneur, executive coach, speaker, and author who helps leaders win at both work and home. Drawing from 20 years in corporate America, where he rose to the executive level, Cory knows firsthand the pressures and challenges leaders face: burnout, strained relationships, and the pull between professional success and personal fulfillment.

​After experiencing the life-changing impact of leadership coaching himself, Cory left corporate life to help others lead with greater purpose and balance.

Since then, he has spoken to thousands and coached over 220 corporate leaders, inspiring and equipping them to bring their best selves to both the boardroom and the living room.

​Cory is the author of two best-selling books,Win at Home First, named by Forbes as  ‘7 Books Everyone On Your Team Should Read’, and Rise and Go, a practical guide to getting back up quicker after life’s challenges. 

​​He also hosts the Win at Home First podcast, ranked in the top 1.5% globally, and co-founded RISE, a nationwide community of 100+ male business leaders committed to excelling at work and home.

Cory Carlson 
Cory's Books

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Wright Bates, Jr., M.D, M.B.A. was born in Boston, Massachusetts but spent the majority of his childhood in Huntsville, Alabama.  Wright received a B.S. in biology from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, M.D. from the University of Alabama
School of Medicine, OB/GYN residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

In addition, while studying in Boston, Dr. Bates obtained a
certificate in Healthcare Leadership from Harvard’s T.H.Chan
School of Public Health - and an MBA with healthcare focus
from University of Massachusetts. While in college, Wright was elected to the Student Government Association and was a 3 year starter as well as
College Athletic All Conference football player. As a Health Professions Scholarship awardee, Dr. Bates entered the US Air Force and was a decorated officer. Dr. Bates is currently the Grimes Endowed Chair at Baylor
Scott & White Health Temple’s Department of OBGYN and
the physician lead for the system wide, Perinatal and
Gynecology Coordinating Council.

He is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Baylor
College of Medicine and the Department Chair for the
Department of OB/GYN. Dr. Bates is a board-certified OB/GYN specialist and a
subspeclialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.  
When Dr. Bates is not practicing medicine or involved in a leadership role – he enjoys traveling with family & friends and outdoor activities especially walks with his dog, Pip, and caring for his herd of dwarf goats.

Chasing What Matters Instagram 

Gracie has been faithfully serving with Samaritan’s Purse for over a decade and currently leads as the Director of the Strategic Partnerships & Promotions team for Operation Christmas Child. In this role, she oversees the development of impactful, mutually enriching ministry partnerships.

In addition to her work with Samaritan’s Purse, Gracie enjoys speaking at local and national events, and is the founder of The Gathering, a non-profit organization dedicated to hosting bi-annual events for women and worship nights for the local community. These gatherings are designed to unite the body of Christ and inspire individuals to live out their faith more deeply and boldly.

 Gracie and her husband, Sean—who also serves at Samaritan’s Purse—have been married for 20 years. Together, they cherish time with their many nieces and nephews and share a love for outdoor adventure, including snowboarding, hiking, and rock climbing.

Operation Christmas Child

Chasing What Matters Instagram