How I've Built an Amazing Network of Bank CEOs

I write about three unusual pillars of the philosophy I’ve used to do so.

John Maxfield and Brent Beardall, CEO of WAFD Bank.

It’s 4:13 in the morning. I’m writing from my hotel room in Dallas.

Yesterday I woke up in Philadelphia, intending to drive to Chicago.

But I changed my mind, parked my car at a friend’s house, bought a plane ticket and boarded a flight to Texas. I’ll pick up my car later this year and drive West, along the northern route, back home in Portland, Oregon, visiting friends along the way.

I came to Dallas because it boasts the most unique concentration of bankers in the country, and I like to see each of them at least once a year.

Aaron Graft. C.K. Lee. Ross McKnight. Norm Bagwell. Trey Maust. Alan Morris. Aurelius from Twitter. Michael Parrish and Richard Bayyouck.

And there are always new friends. I had dinner last night with a young man who works with Jody Grant.

This is how I learn.

It’s also a big reason I’ve been able to construct one of the coolest networks of bank CEOs in the country.

I write below about three unusual pillars of the philosophy I’ve used to do so.