On the money: Auburn quarterbacks offer financial advice

AUBURN, Ala. – Sharing lessons learned in the decades after their college football careers, a trio of former Auburn quarterbacks offered advice at the Women's Philanthropy Board's 17th Fall Colloquium.

Randy Campbell, Stan White and Ben Leard presented at a session titled "Be the quarterback of your financial future" Friday at the Dixon Conference Center at The Hotel at Auburn University.

"All three of us are in sales type positions in the insurance industry. It's very competitive," said Campbell, who co-captained the Auburn's 1983 SEC championship team. "When you play college sports of any kind, it's extremely competitive. We've been in that environment a lot. We were all successful in that environment, and so we're comfortable in that environment."

Campbell, who owns a wealth management firm, said playing quarterback at Auburn prepared him for a leadership role in the financial services industry.

"We know how to work hard and have a lot of determination and grit, and I think that takes you a long way," Campbell said. "Those kind of people are usually successful in sales positions, and insurance is just a great industry, no matter if it's life insurance or property and casualty, or commercial lines."

Leard, a 13-year veteran of the industry, focuses on insurance for business owners. Like Campbell, Leard believes the years he spent quarterbacking the Tigers gave him a foundation to succeed in business.

"The hope to be in a position of leadership," he said. "The ability to take the bull by the horns. In the insurance business, we at times can be the hero or the goat, to understand the ebbs and flows of that. It works in concert at times."

Each quarterback shared insights from his area of expertise. Campbell said the number of life insurance products available to consumers has grown exponentially in his 25 years in the field. He recommended that attendees periodically review their policies, before instructing on the charitable aspects of life insurance.

While, the quarterback on Auburn's unbeaten 1993 team, said because of longer life spans, life insurance policies are more affordable than ever.

Applying lessons he learned in athletics, White seeks to hire and retain high-quality staff members at his firm in Bessemer, Alabama. "You're only as good as your team," he said.

Leard, Auburn's passing leader in 1999 and 2000, encouraged business owners to consult their insurance professional as often as they would their accountant and attorney.

"It's a relationship business," said Leard, who said business relationships take time to build but can be severed quickly without excellent customer service.

The quarterbacks concluded their talk by offering advice to the many high school students in attendance.

Campbell told the students to pay themselves first, saving money from each paycheck. He cautioned them not to live beyond their means.

Leard echoed that theme, quoting his grandfather. "If you can't pay for it, don't to it," he said.

Leard stressed the importance of networking, saying he wished he would have learned earlier that "every hand is worth shaking because you may never know the privilege of the relationship you may be able to build."

White spoke last, urging students to listen more, talk less and commit to being lifelong learners.

Holding up his smart phone, he said, "Don't rely on these more than face-to-face contact."

Sharing an observation from time spent coaching his children's teams, White said he admired young people who look him in the eye and say, "yes, sir."

"I don't care how good he is," White said. "I want him on my team."
 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer