My Story:
Grit, Growth, and an
Unconventional Path
to Success.
From a Tornado in Texas to a Tornado of a Journey
Born in Houston, Texas, I grew up just outside DeLeon, in a trailer surrounded by cow pastures. Life threw us a challenge early on when a tornado tore through our home when I was 13. Against the odds, we all survived—a reminder that resilience has been with me from the start.
School Days and the First Whiffs of Rebellion
After a series of attempts at college—including an infamous semester at Howard Payne University, where I “majored” in Whiskey, Weed, and Women—I made a decisive shift and joined the Marine Corps, where I trained as a Spanish Cryptologic Linguist. These experiences weren’t linear, but each taught me lessons I’d need later.
Breaking into Finance (One Rough Step at a Time)
My journey in finance began in 2005 at American Express Financial Advisors. I quickly learned that I didn’t fit neatly into traditional finance roles. After being fired for “not believing in the company’s business model,” I bounced between roles, learning bits and pieces of financial strategy and tax planning along the way.
Going Back to School: Getting Serious About Finance
I enrolled in the University of Texas at San Antonio and earned a Master’s in Finance, supplementing it with courses in accounting to broaden my skill set. A job with the Texas Comptroller taught me the finer points of state taxes and led me to become a CPA.
A Decade of Mastery in Tax and Financial Planning
Over the next decade, I was employed at various CPA firms, refining my tax expertise. During this time, I pursued certifications as a Chartered Financial Analyst® and Personal Financial Specialist™.
These accomplishments broadened my skill set, allowing me to delve into estate and
retirement planning and other facets of comprehensive financial planning.
The Birth of Basin Wealth
In January 2020, I founded Basin Wealth Management with no clients, no office, and just a home computer. COVID-19 hit just months after I opened, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. My first tax season was saved by a client who walked in with cash in hand, allowing me to keep my tax software active. That simple transaction meant the difference between staying open and closing my doors.
Gaining Respect in the Industry
Today, I’m proud to hold CPA, CFA, and CFP credentials, a rare combination in the Permian Basin. My journey has led me to become a trusted advisor to clients of all backgrounds, including Forbes 400 members. I’m also the founder of the region’s only dually registered RIA and CPA firm, offering clients a unique blend of financial and tax expertise.
Full Circle: A Story of Redemption and Relationships
In a twist that could only happen in real life, I now employ two former bosses, including one who fired me years ago.
I work closely with leading financial experts and authors of books I read early in my career. They are now my mentors, colleagues and friends.
Looking Forward
At Basin Wealth, I bring together the lessons of a lifetime—from surviving literal and metaphorical storms, learning humility, and building expertise in the trenches. I’m here to make wealth management personal, practical, and honest, with a bit of Texas grit and humor.
Welcome to my story—the long way around to a career I wouldn’t trade for anything.
