-Compiled and edited by Shawn Nowlin
How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
I’m a God-fearing family man at heart. I tend to observe more than I speak, and I enjoy teaching and guiding others. I approach life logically and analytically, always trying to understand how things truly work.
Where were you born and raised? What was your upbringing like?
I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama — Roll Tide country. Growing up there meant being surrounded by tradition, a close-knit community and a culture that valued faith, family and hard work.
I was raised in a Pentecostal church in the segregated South. My father worked various jobs before becoming a preacher, and my mother did housekeeping work, but primarily stayed home to raise two daughters and three sons.
After high school, what was the next chapter of your life?
After relocating to Detroit at the age of 14, I graduated from high school as valedictorian and was accepted to Oberlin College, where I pursued majors in Biology and Mathematics.
What is your official title, and what do your responsibilities consist of?
I run an insurance and investment verification business. My role is to do the math — independently and objectively — to determine whether insurance policies and investment contracts will perform as they were presented. This includes analyzing retirement income strategies and cash-flow management to ensure clients’ plans are sound, sustainable and aligned with their long-term goals.
How important is family to you?
Family is extremely important to me. I believe it is the foundation of life and purpose. Being raised in the church, God and family were the two pillars my life was built on, and everything else was secondary.
If you were building the ultimate music playlist for a six-hour road trip, which artists would be on it?
My road-trip playlist would be a mix of smooth jazz, Maxwell, Luther Vandross — both Big Luther and Little Luther — and a 90s R&B mix. I usually have an Audible book queued up, because even on the road, I like to keep my mind engaged.
What are some of your favorite City of Roanoke memories?
Some of my favorite memories come from different seasons of life. Early on, I spent two years as an assistant manager at Hills Department Store on Hershberger Road, which gave me a front-row seat to the rhythm of the city and its people. Over the last 33 years, Roanoke has truly become home — it’s where I’ve raised my family, built lasting relationships and put down deep roots. Those years carry the most meaning for me.
What are some of your hobbies?
One of my main hobbies is teaching financial literacy — what I call “the other half of the story.” While it’s part of my profession, it’s also something I’m passionate about because money and cash flow drive nearly every aspect of life. If you don’t understand how cash flow works, you’re at the mercy of the system. Outside of that, I enjoy playing golf, which gives me time to think, focus and reset.
Which people have had the biggest impact on your life outside of family?
The people who have had the greatest impact on my life are those I connect with intellectually and ethically, grounded in the morals and values I was raised with. That includes pastors, neighbors, teachers, friends, and a few individuals in the finance industry who share a commitment to integrity and disciplined thinking.
If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
With experience comes the understanding that logic outlasts emotion. I’d remind my younger self to move with focus, make financial and life decisions quietly and avoid the temptation to follow the crowd. Listening more than speaking reveals far more than noise ever will.
