63. A Mission-Driven Operation: From Flight Deck to Finance with Academy Securities

Academy Securities is empowering veterans in finance and helping them transition from success in the military to successful civilian lives.

In this episode of The Wave Strength, host Jim Breen has a compelling conversation with Spencer Wilcox from Academy Securities and Lance Doherty from Pacific Life's Global Institutional Investment Group.

The discussion centers on the initiatives of Academy Securities, a veteran-owned investment bank, in supporting those who’ve served as they move into careers in financial services. Spencer elaborates on their mission to mentor, hire, and train transitioning servicemen and women, while also highlighting the firm’s geopolitical intelligence capabilities.

Lance shares the reasons behind Pacific Life's collaboration with Academy Securities, emphasizing the mutual benefit and shared values in supporting veterans. The episode underscores the importance of creating career opportunities for post-service talent and fostering partnerships that align with social missions of national significance.

Tune in to hear inspiring stories of service and the impactful work being done to support former military professionals in their civilian journeys.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on teamwork, taking risks, and overcoming challenges.

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About Spencer Wilcox
Spencer Wilcox is President, Head of Capital Markets, at Academy Securities. Mr. Wilcox served in the United States Navy. During his service, Mr. Wilcox planned and led over 180 flying missions and over 50 armed missions as a helicopter aircraft commander. In Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Wilcox led a 7-man joint team and was instrumental in establishing the first-ever Commando training program for the Afghan government. Mr. Wilcox negotiated with 43 foreign governments, 80 ships, and several U.S. government agencies to plan and execute 24 strategic humanitarian missions under U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp.

Mr. Wilcox is a United States Naval Academy graduate with post-graduate work (MBA) at Columbia University – Columbia Business School and University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

About Lance Doherty
Lance Doherty is Assistant Vice President and Head of Institutional Capital Markets Group at Pacific Life. Lance’s responsibilities include Funding Agreements, FHLB funding, Working Capital Finance Investments, and Securities Lending businesses. Since joining Pacific life in 2006, he has held various roles within Corporate Treasury, including capital markets, liquidity management, and short-term investing.

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In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Meet the Guests: Lance Doherty and Spencer Wilcox

01:44 The Mission and Value of GPFA

04:12 Academy Securities: Mission and Impact

05:39 Spencer Wilcox's Military Journey

07:52 Partnerships and Goals

14:06 Encouragement for Veterans

15:56 Final Thoughts

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#PacificLife #Veterans #FinancialServices #AcademySecurities