Home: Dallas, TX. Age: 50 and holding. Profession: Investor. Currently acting like a guy building a pro soccer team. Organization: USL Dallas. Title: Founder and Chairman. Alma mater: Washington University in St. Louis. Languages spoken: English and a touch of Spanish.
Current project: Building a professional soccer club in Dallas with my closest friends. Recent recognition: Positive feedback on the way we are building the soccer club as a community asset. Latest accomplishment: Convincing a very accomplished group of friends to join me on this journey to bring USL Dallas to life. Latest contribution to others: One of the most fun aspects of building the club is how natural it is to give back to the community. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Leaving my comfort zone as an investor and stepping into the public eye as a professional sports team owner. It is as frightening as it is invigorating.
Personality profile: Easy going, happy, direct. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Upbeat. What is your greatest joy? My kids. What is your guilty pleasure? I love to travel, and I’ve been known to enjoy a good bottle of wine. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Sure. What is at the top of your bucket list? The World Cup coming to Dallas and the Summer Olympics in LA.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Playing with a soccer ball, anywhere and anytime. What book have you repeatedly read? Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Surround yourself with the best people and the rest will take care of itself. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? FaceTime or video conferencing. Seeing my boys when they’re away and my friends that I don’t get to see often enough. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Going to Washington University and playing soccer has had some profound influence in my life.
What is your big idea?
Building a soccer club around the community and game day experience, for the fans.
What change would you like to see in the world? Less judgement and tribalism would be welcome. What widely held belief do you reject? Tribalism. I have friends on both sides of almost any issue. What mega-trend most excites you? The efficiency of AI and its potential to cure disease and advance science. What mega-trend most concerns you? Use of AI to cheat and steal. If it makes you lazy, you’re probably not using it right.
As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Pele or Diego Maradona. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Pictures of my boys when they were young. No question. What advice would you give your younger self? Slow down. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? Re-do being a dad when the boys were born. I would be more present and spend less time worrying about our financial future.
Favorite quote: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” (Pele). Desired epitaph: Son, brother, father and friend.
