Owner and Managing Director, Advocatus Consulting (www.advocatusconsulting.com)

Partner, Silverback Ventures (www.silverbackventures.org)

B.S., Accounting, 1993

What role do you play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

I have the privilege of working with startups and businesses in transition every day. My mission is to serve as a bridge, helping business owners achieve their goals and maximize the impact they have in their communities. Businesses are created to solve problems and meet real needs. Far too often, however, owners become mired in day-to-day operations and lose sight of the passion that inspired them to start in the first place. I love working with founders, owners, and executive teams to rekindle that passion and help them maximize both profit and impact.

What are some of your best memories of your time at Clemson?

Clemson is as much a vibe as it is a university. All around the country, there are Clemson grads, and all of them are proud to wear the ring. So, my best memories are grounded in friendships and experiences: living in old Johnstone F with its metal walls and playing hockey in the hallways; listening to the Rolling Stones and Living Colour play at the stadium outside my window; playing basketball nonstop by the Shoeboxes; even ordering Domino’s pizza for the room next door, knowing they weren’t home so we could get a discounted pizza. All that and having Sunday Taco Bell food truck dates with my now wife of over 30 years.

But some of the best memories are recent, too, as I have had the honor of mentoring over 100 students and am frequently asked to speak to students through the Powers College of Business or student organizations. These are opportunities I cherish to speak life and encouragement to future world changers.

What were the key inflection points in your career after you left Clemson?

My entrepreneurial journey didn’t start for 8,030 days. I worked in investigative audit, as a controller, and as a CFO/COO for 22 years before I started my first business. None of that time was wasted. It provided a foundation and breadth of knowledge that allows me now to speak into business situations and decision points from a position of authority and experience. I have worked through some crazy situations: mergers, acquisitions, companies that were put into involuntary bankruptcy, being fired for refusing to commit a financial crime, and navigating personnel issues, including someone investigated by the FBI.

Once we (because being an entrepreneur is not a solo decision) decided to become entrepreneurs, I quickly realized it is the most exciting and terrifying job (other than becoming a parent) in the world.

I have been blessed with great clients and opportunities to bring products to the marketplace that are actually eradicating disease and providing hope for millions.

It is a great life.

What are your personal and professional dreams?

Personally, I often think and talk about impact, so I would hope that at the end of my days, people would say, “He loved God and loved people. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, and spread hope wherever he went.”

Professionally, continue to help amazing people doing amazing things to change the world and create opportunities for collaboration that lead to innovation and transformation. Expand my speaking business to spread encouragement and hope to students across the U.S.

What would you recommend students do to maximize their remaining time at Clemson?

• Take advantage of the opportunity to try something new. A lot of students are in such a hurry to get out of school. You will never a better time to test other careers or interests (e.g., business majors taking bioengineering or architecture classes). 
• Take a Leisure Skills class every semester. Your mind needs a break, and it’s a great way to meet new people.
• Get to know your professors’ stories. What was their journey, especially those from industry?
• Network for relationships not internships or jobs. People buy from and recommend people. How can I recommend you for a job or introduce you to my network if I don’t know you?
• Have fun. Go to class and make good grades, but MAKE TIME to have fun and enjoy your time at Clemson. There are plenty of years to work.
• Take a breath. I tell all my students, Live One x 3 – One Breath, One Step, One Moment at a time.

What else should we know about you?

We are a Clemson family (three generations: my father; myself and my wife; and both of our kids all graduated from Clemson).

I love hiking and pushing beyond limits. Ten months to the day after having knee replacement surgery, I hiked the Trailblaze Challenge for Make-A-Wish (28.5 miles in a single day). I am now six months removed from having my other knee replaced, so stay tuned… another epic hike is on the horizon.