From Nebraska Ranch to Wall Street: The Evolution of a Chief Investment Professional - Part 1

When I tell people I’ve worked as both a cattle ranch hand and a Wall Street Chief Investment Officer and Strategist, the usual reaction is a laugh or a look of disbelief. But those two worlds—seemingly miles apart—have shaped my 35-year journey in the financial markets more than any title or credential ever could.

Humble Beginnings

I grew up in a small Nebraska town, where my parents ran auto parts stores. What I remember most isn’t the merchandise—it’s their commitment to service. If someone called after hours or even on a Sunday in need of a part, my father would say, “The customer comes first.” That simple principle—put others first—became a foundational value for me personally and professionally.

While I was active in high school by playing sports, I was just as drawn to strategy games rooted in probabilities and statistics. My friends and I would stay up into the early hours running sports simulations. I was hooked on “figuring out the numbers behind the games.” When a college friend’s mother gave me a copy of How to Buy Stocks, something clicked. The markets combined everything I loved: math, psychology, competition, and continuous learning.

The Journey East

That passion led me to Babson College near Boston, where I discovered the writings of Sir John Templeton. His global, contrarian philosophy deeply resonated. One of his core messages stuck with me: “We don’t have all the answers, so we must stay humble, open-minded, and always learning.” That mindset remains central to how I invest—and live—today.

After graduation, I landed a strong job at General Electric in Boston. But something was missing. At 23, I left financial services to work on a cattle ranch in Cherry County in the Sandhills of Nebraska, not far from my family’s hometown of Valentine. Many thought I was crazy—but I was going home. 

To be continued.