The Cannon Curve

Joining us today is Brent Chandler, CEO of FormFree, a company pioneering the digital evolution of lending. From his time serving in the U.S. Marines to his time at Merrill Lynch to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Brent always strives to better himself and find the biggest and best opportunities.

In our conversation, we discuss the innovation necessary to tackle issues and construct creative strategies in today's financial industry. We are moving at a rapid pace, and Brent's visionary efforts are helping to build the future of financial services, but this is only the beginning. Where can we expect technology and modernization to take us from here?

Resources:

Brent Chandler: https://goo.gl/FR3eXL

FormFree: https://goo.gl/sDLGKm

Keeping us ahead of the Curve today is an individual who takes a unique approach to the financial services industry—understanding human behavior, not just numbers. By applying behavioral psychology to his company's business principles, Hugh Massie provides practical solutions for clients to become financially self-empowered and for leaders to become relational and successful.

Mr. Massie, CEO of DNA Behavior International, walks us through his intriguing professional narrative, rich with international experience and entrepreneurial pursuits. Tune in to hear his story and insights on how you can learn more about yourself in order to become a more effective leader.

Resources:

DNA Behavior: http://dnabehavior.com/

Hugh Massie: http://behaviorallysmart.com/hugh-massie/

Hugh Massie on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughmassie/?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

On today's episode, we talk with Nick Stonestreet, international businessman, and CEO and Chairman of the Board of Thrivent Trust Company. With experience in small-scale startups, corporations, financial services, international business, and entrepreneurship Nick has developed an explorer persona and acquired a different, broad view of what talent is.

Nick's humble ability to implement strategies that are in the best interest of those he works with make him a force for good in the financial services industry today. We know you will learn a great deal from his insights.

Resources:

Nick Stonestreet: https://goo.gl/bX1fmt

Ronald Blue Trust: https://www.ronblue.com/

Thrivent Trust Company: https://goo.gl/xtQGX3

Michael Gerber: The E-Myth Library: https://goo.gl/V5LPXm

There are few people with the passion, drive, and dedication embodied by today's Cannon Curve guest, Jay Hummel, the Senior Vice President of Direct Sales and Service at American Century Investments.

With only seventeen years of experience, Jay is what we'd call a "young leader" in the financial services industry, however he is far from inexperienced. Today, he brings us fresh ideas of management and strategy while emphasizing the importance of "paying it forward" in developing his community and his workplace. We are excited to share his story with you.

Resources:

Jay Hummel: https://goo.gl/dtujEz

American Century Investments: https://goo.gl/1EdaUL

Fuel Cincinnati: https://goo.gl/xiiEyy

Today, we meet Trey Ruch, CEO of LibertyFi, a wealth management platform and middle-office consultancy firm. Prior to his current role, Trey navigated a successful banking career throughout a variety of roles and firms. Then, Trey hit a fork in the road which pushed him to engage a few trusted colleagues and start his own company.

Trey translates his over thirty years of experience into lessons applicable to us all. As you listen to insights from this noteworthy professional, we know you will find key takeaways to enhance your career and improve your success.

Resources:

Trey Ruch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-a-ruch-iii-5a63b442/

LibertyFi: https://libertyfi.com/

As we each make the journey on our individual path to success, there are always educators, mentors and leaders that influence our decisions and push us to the next level. Joining us today is Ben Ayers, who, in his role as Dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, has managed to be all three to thousands of students as they make the transition to the next big stage of their lives.

Dean Ayers did not initially plan to pursue a career in academia, but rather started as a tax manager at KPMG before returning back to school to obtain his PhD. He shares with us the values, guidance, and passion that led him to switch paths and start a new career at the University of Georgia. Dean Ayers is one of only two professors to be awarded both the American Taxation Association's Outstanding Manuscript Award and the American Accounting Association's Competitive Manuscript Award, demonstrating the expertise in the financial service industry that has shaped his success in leading the business school.

On today's episode, Dean Ayers uses his story and experiences to inspire others to follow their passions and constantly strive to improve as a leader. We hope you enjoy the show.

Resources:

Dean Bean Ayers: https://goo.gl/f8sZd4

Terry College of Business: https://goo.gl/zk3JiR

What do a cell phone, a minivan, and Ronald Blue & Co. have in common? Nobody was asking for them when they were invented. Ronald Blue is a mission-driven visionary in the business of developing solutions beyond what currently exists. He begins his entrepreneurial narrative in financial services, pivots 180 degrees when he exits his firm to work full-time in ministry, and then is pulled back to the industry with the vision of marrying the language of Wall Street to biblical principles. He currently serves as Kingdom Advisors' Founding Director, carrying out his novel mission of converting biblically-based financial advice into its own niche industry.

Today, as we reflect on Ron's professional journey, we highlight the lessons that molded his perspectives and strengthened his aptitude for leadership. We discuss the pivotal insights he realized during his mission trips to Africa and elicit the leadership wisdom that he has absorbed through fifty years of experience and continued observation. The body of work he has produced is a living testament to faith-based leadership; simply glancing at his accomplishments is enough to realize the immeasurable influence he has had on individuals around the globe.

Resources:

Ronald Blue (Kingdom Advisor's Board of Directors): https://kingdomadvisors.com/about/board

Kingdom Advisors: https://kingdomadvisors.com

Ron Blue Institute: http://www.ronblueinstitute.com

At each phase of the leadership curve, eye-opening perspectives and transformative realizations surface. The lessons learned early on in one's career are specific to that time period and differ from the lessons learned at a later stage. Today, we focus on young, developing leadership with our accomplished guest, Houston Gaines.

Although Houston is early in his professional career, he is far from inexperienced. He served as Student Body President at both his high school and The University of Georgia, he led a successful campaign for the incumbent candidate in a local mayoral race during his freshman year of college, and upon graduation from The University of Georgia, Houston ran for Georgia's 117th District House Seat. He has repeatedly proven his keen aptitude for leadership with humility and perseverance and is an individual who is on the path to boundless success.

Resources:

Houston Gaines: http://www.houstongaines.com/

Compelling stories often take time to share in their entirety. Thus, we follow up part one of Lori Hardwick's interview by focusing on the three core values that have shaped her leadership success and discuss the experiences that led her to become an active voice behind the Women in Wealth initiatives.

In yesterday's episode, we chronicled the path that Lori Hardwick has carved from her first position at GKST to her current role as President and Co-founder of Advisor Innovation Labs. Today, Lori reveals her most effective leadership practices in a way that is applicable to not only aspiring leaders, but also to those who wish to further develop their professional impact on others. We then conclude the episode by pivoting to a topic Lori personally resonates with: Women in Wealth Management. What are the implications of an uneven ratio of men to women in the wealth management industry? What strategies can we actively employ to appeal to more young women? Tune in to find out.

Resources:

Advisor Innovation Labs: https://advisorinnovationlabs.com/

Uncovering opportunities for unconventional entrepreneurship, finding the right problems to solve, and navigating bold career moves: just three of the themes we encounter as we chronicle the professional narrative of Lori Hardwick, President and Co-founder of Advisor Innovation Labs.

In today's episode, we share part one of a two-part story. We reflect on the past positions Lori has held, and dive into how those experiences have shaped the leadership perspectives she exhibits today. Her ambition, self-awareness, and innovative nature have contributed to her profound success and positioned her as an acclaimed thought leader in the financial services industry. Lori has left a noticeable impact on each company she has served, and continues to impact the financial industry through her recent entrepreneurial endeavor, A.I. Labs. With all of her revered success, can you believe that she fell into the industry by chance?

Resources:

Advisor Innovation Labs: https://advisorinnovationlabs.com/