Meet Cole

Get to know Cole through seven quick questions on books, adventures, and the experiences that shaped him.

What book or podcast has stuck with you?

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. Looking back, I think it appealed to me because it was about seeing familiar things from an entirely different perspective. The protagonist arrives in human society as an outsider and questions assumptions everyone else takes for granted. As a kid, I loved science fiction and adventure, but I was also drawn to the bigger themes of independence, curiosity, and challenging conventional wisdom.

What do you enjoy doing that has nothing to do with work?

Outside of work, I love tuna fishing. Before finance, I spent a lot of time chasing tuna offshore and even ran a commercial fishing boat for a year. There’s something incredibly rewarding about finding fish in a huge ocean with only a few clues to work with. It teaches patience, trust, and how to stay in tune with what’s around you.

How did you spend summer days as a kid?

As a kid, we would go to the country club in the summer and spend time by the pool and on our family friend's boat. I remember buying ice cream and fries with an account number, roaming the property, with no goals, and having the time to play with my friends. No worries, pure fun. I'm hoping I can give my kids the same experience one day.

What would you instantly become an expert in?

Assuming it is not business-related... I would become an expert in building and repairing things and machines. Actually being able to design, fix, or build anything I want without waiting on someone else. There’s something pretty amazing about making something real from nothing and seeing it work right away.

What possession would be hardest to replace?

A handful of sentimental items I've inherited and been gifted. If you can write a check for it, it's not a real problem.

What was your first job?

When I was 16, I worked for a family friend who owned and managed Section 8 housing outside of downtown Denver. I learned how to replace toilets, install doors, fix drywall. I also worked the front desk, took payments from our renters, and did basic file management.

What was the first concert you attended?

When I was a kid, my mom took me to see the band Cracker, who was playing at the local Radio Shack. We have been to over 100 concerts since then.