Bruce R. Dunham, IIMC, CEPA®
Vice President, Wealth Management
Bruce spent a decade as a banker, working primarily with small business owners, helping them to become more successful on both sides of the balance sheet. He then managed a business unit with over 120 employees for a large global company, meeting budgets and providing a superior quality end‐user experience.
In 2006, he became a Financial Advisor. In June 2022 he founded Volition Advisory of Raymond James with the goal to empower his clients to make the best choice for them of their own volition. His business owner client focus includes a variety of companies including manufacturing, retail, engineering, healthcare, real estate, and professional services industries.
Bruce received his BA from UCLA in psychology and business administration.
Bezan F. Morris, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
Bezan began his career as an artillery officer in the US Marine Corps. After honorably serving his country, which included two tours in Iraq, Bezan moved to the E‐Commerce industry where he worked for Amazon.com and Chewy.com, rising to senior management positions.
Bezan joined Raymond James in 2018. In 2022, Bezan joined Volition Advisory of Raymond James. He understands the joys and challenges that clients face during the “sandwich” stage of life, raising children while caring for aging loved ones. Bezan helps our business owner clients establish retirement plans, including 401(k) and executive compensation.
Bezan is a graduate of the Naval Academy with a degree in Political Science.
Kyle P. Dunham, CFP®, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
Kyle Dunham joined Raymond James in 2018 to provide individuals and families with the guidance necessary to accomplish their goals. Kyle knows that life can be messy. Volition Advisory strives to bring simplicity and clarity to your busy life and all of its complicated financial details by applying our wisdom, experience, time-tested Client Experience Process, and rigorous Investment Process. Accomplishing these goals is never easy, but it is the bedrock for living your best life.
Mary Kathryn (MK) Fitzpatrick, WMS™
Financial Advisor
MK has seen smart, successful people unable to live the life they want in retirement because they didn’t have thoughtful advice and a thorough plan. She knows that life is often complicated, with unexpected job and life changes, and/or with kids or parents needing more help than expected. MK is motivated to help you think through your plans and goals; to give you the knowledge and clarity necessary to enjoy your life to the fullest, both today and in years to come.
Tawni Bullock, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
Tawni is dedicated to help build and preserve wealth for you and your family. She strives to provide a comprehensive, strategy-focused approach, delivered with personal attention and a commitment for each and every client.
A native of Montana, Tawni graduated from Montana State University Billings with a bachelor’s degree. When not working, Tawni enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Chauncey M. Lane
Corporate Services | Mergers and Acquisitions | Private Equity | Corporate Governance | Public Companies and Securities | Emerging Companies | Venture Capital | Investment Management | Private Investment Funds
Manufacturing | Financial Services
Chauncey M. Lane is a transactional attorney in Holland & Knight's Dallas office. Mr. Lane structures and negotiates complex transactions for strategic buyers and sellers as well as private equity firms in the technology and financial services industries.
A thought leader on rapidly evolving deal trends and strategies, Mr. Lane is regularly called on to advise clients on their most significant transactions, including stock and asset acquisitions, going private transactions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, platform acquisitions, add-on acquisitions and recapitalizations. Mr. Lane regularly leverages his transactional skills and knowledge to advise clients on cross-border transactions in Europe and South Asia, among other international jurisdictions.
Mr. Lane also serves as an adviser to venture capital funds and other alternative financing vehicles, where he regularly leads significant investment transactions into emerging growth companies and strategic partnerships. Often serving as outside general counsel and a trusted business adviser to his fund clients, Mr. Lane has a breadth of knowledge on the many issues that venture-backed operating companies regularly face.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Lane, a U.S. Army veteran, has a passion for helping his fellow veterans and handles several pro bono cases on their behalf each year.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Lane was an attorney at a multinational law firm in Dallas. During law school, he was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of any of the guests for the Business Owners Summit. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Chauncey Lane or Holland & Knight.
Raymond James and its advisors do not offer legal advice or services. You should discuss any legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Chad Barton
Corporate Services | Private Equity | Mergers and Acquisitions | Venture Capital | Life Sciences Transactions
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Chad Barton is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight's Dallas office. Private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies and a variety of other public and private companies rely on Mr. Barton's extensive experience to assist them with complex strategic, financial and other business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including bolt-on and roll-up transactions; divestitures; carve-outs; joint ventures; restructurings; private equity-backed investments and venture capital investments, as well as general corporate counseling.
Mr. Barton has substantial experience with planning, structuring and negotiating transactions for a diverse range of public company and private equity clients in the healthcare, energy, technology and telecommunications sectors. He also drafts purchase agreements, services and supply agreements, contribution and distribution agreements and other commercial contracts, joint venture agreements, confidentiality and exclusivity agreements, licensing agreements, earn-out agreements, term sheets and governance documents, such as limited liability company agreements, partnership agreements, corporate charters and bylaws, and various consents, authorizations and resolutions.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of any of the guests for the Business Owners Summit. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Chad Barton or Holland & Knight.
Raymond James and its advisors do not offer legal advice or services. You should discuss any legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Gene Bazemore - Founders Advisors
Gene is Head of the Industrials Group with Founders Advisors based in the firm’s Dallas office. Gene has over 20 years of experience acting as both a principal and advisor to companies executing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and debt and equity financings. Gene began his career as a process controls engineer and transitioned into investment banking at UBS in New York, where he specialized in industrial technology areas such as automation, instrumentation, sensors and electronics. Gene developed significant transaction expertise while working for Houlihan Lokey in New York and other organizations such as Cooper Industries in Houston and AZZ Incorporated in Fort Worth.
Prior to joining Founders, Gene served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations for Enovation Controls, Inc based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Gene grew up in the Florida panhandle and graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Gene was a Stern Scholar and graduated with an M.B.A. from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. His securities credentials include Series 79 and 63 securities licenses.
Gene previously served on Auburn University’s Research Advisor Board and has been a member of the Strategic Planning & Development Council of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. Gene resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his wife Lynn and their four children Jessica, Eugene, Oliver, and William.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of any of the guests for the Business Owners Summit. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Gene Bazemore.
Shaun Buckley
Managing Director, Transaction Advisory Services – Dallas
Shaun has been providing TAS to clients for the past 28 years. Prior to joining Armanino, Shaun was a Partner in the TAS practices at both Deloitte and BDO. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas. He currently provides financial due diligence and structuring, deal process management, advisory services regarding transaction documents, and closing and post-closing services to private equity and private/public strategic clients.
Shaun has provided assistance on acquisitions, divestitures and recapitalizations covering a broad range of industries including retail & consumer products, manufacturing & distribution, technology including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), oil & gas services, construction, food processing & distribution, healthcare services, and business services, among others.
Shaun received his M.B.A in Finance and Operations Management from the Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester and his B.S. in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Jennifer Steele
Partner, Tax – Privately Held Business
Jennifer plays a vital role in the success of her clients. She understands their business, provides proactive client service, and delivers solid tax planning, forecasting and analysis. She has more than 27 years of public accounting experience and works with a variety of companies, ranging from small entrepreneurial ventures to large enterprises in the manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, real estate and professional services industries. Jennifer is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of any of the guests for the Business Owners Summit. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Jennifer Steele or Shaun Buckley.
Brian Hegi
Co-Founder and Managing Parter of Crossplane Capital – Dallas
Brian is a co-founder and Managing Parter of Crossplane Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm founded in 2018 investing control equity in niche manufacturing, industrial services, and value-added distribution businesses. Crossplane currently manages over $730 million across two funds and co-investment vehicles. He began his career as an operations improvement consultant with AlixPartners and AT Kearney and has been an industrial-focused private equity investor for the last 17 years. Brian graduated with a BA in Economics from Vanderbilt University and received an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas.
Raymond James is not affiliated with Brian Hegi or Crossplane Capital
Garrett Bothun
Recently Sold Rescue Restoration
Dallas – Fort Worth
Garrett Bothun is a versatile individual with a background in both athletics and public service. He has been involved in various fields, showcasing his diverse talents and interests. Garrett made a mark in the world of sports, playing as a wide receiver for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was known for his agility and dedication on the field.
Garrett has also been active in public service, filing to run for Heath City Council, Place 6, in Heath, Texas. He is the owner of Garrett Bothun Consulting, working with industry-leading home service companies across the country. Garrett is also the owner of Rescue Restoration, LLC, a family-owned provider of damage restoration services in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Rescue Restoration was formed to help those in need of emergency assistance and is built on the principles of Christian values. The company assists with damages due to flooding, fire or smoke, plumbing system issues, or building structure leaks, offering an open heart and welcome hand to anyone in need.
In addition to Rescue Restoration, Garrett owns Brothers Roofing and Construction, LLC. Prior to joining Rescue Restoration, Garrett served as the co-founder of Sovereign Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm.
Garrett graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration. His diverse experiences and dedication to his pursuits make him a notable figure in both his community and the fields he is passionate about.
Garrett is married to his wife Marissa, and they have two children, Graham (12) and Makinley (9). He volunteers by teaching freshmen at LakePointe Church on Sunday mornings.
*Raymond James is not affiliated with Garrett Bothun or Rescue Restoration.
