EXPERTISE
CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY BY MELANIE VOGEL Successful business people and power couple Laura (Buckner ’08) and Ross ’08 Nelson attribute much of what they’ve accomplished in life and their careers to one thing: the people they met through Vanguard University.
who is the west coast account manager at Barrington Nutritionals. “These people have helped shape us into who we are and have challenged us to grow in our relationship with Christ.”
“Vanguard has provided us with friendships that will last a lifetime and business relationships that have tremendously blessed us financially,” said Ross, who is the CEO of Marshall Reddick Real Estate and a member of the Vanguard Alumni Board. “I started my first business, Krotchet Kids International, with four fellow Lions while we were still students. Travis [Hartanov ’08] taught me to adapt to situations and not be consumed by worry, Stew [Ramsey ’08] taught me to be creative and care about details, Adam [Thomson ’08] taught me that people are everything and you cannot accomplish anything without them, and Brad [Holdgrapher ’08] taught me to not focus on others’ opinions and to do what I feel is right. And these are just a few examples of the endless talent that comes from Vanguard.”
Grateful for all the University has provided for them, Laura and Ross, members of the Vanguard President’s Circle, are committed to giving back to their alma mater – and encourage their close-knit community to do the same. “Whether in time, talent or money, everyone should stay connected and support their college,” said Ross. “The more resources Laura and I have poured into Vanguard, the more we’ve received in return.”
“We didn’t notice it at first, but a couple years ago, we realized that all of the people who have made the biggest impacts in our lives and who we love – friends, our church community and people we’ve worked with – are Vanguard alumni,” said Laura,
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