Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Thibodeau.
Hi Keith, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a High School student, I had a strong desire to become a Teacher and right out of college, I became a High School Math Teacher. After 6-7 years of teaching, I felt like the curriculum we were teaching our High Schoolers was not in their best interest and I didn’t think I could keep selling the vision to students and answer the daily question of, “Mr. Thibodeau, why do I need to learn this?”.
From there I started looking for ways to learn new skills and get additional education. I was still paying my undergraduate loans, so I explored the Military option. At 30 years old, the Army was willing to take a shot on me, and just a few month later I was headed to Basic Training, on my journey to become a UAS Operator (to fly drones). I spent three years as a UAS operator, climbing to the rank of Seargent(E5) in only 18-months. My success lead to acceptance into the Officer Candidacy School, where I was trained as a logistics officer.
My time in the Military was amazing for my development and career but put a great deal of strain on my family. My wife, Tricia, and I decided it was time for me to get out of the military, after 6 years. As I was transitioning again, I didn’t know what to do next but I was fortunate to be accepted into an Internship, Hiring Our Heroes, that allowed me to intern with a company while finishing out the last few months of my Military contract. I decided to get into finance, continue to stay connected to the Military by supporting service members and their families’ financial goals,
Since joining the Financial services industry, I’ve been able to serve in several roles and have found success in each one. It’s all led up to me serving as a District Advisor (Independent Regional Manager), where I lead a staff of Admin support and 7 field advisors.
My success has been a direct reflection of support from God, my wife and hard work. I’ve always believed, “if you take good care of the people around you, they will take care of you.” This philosophy has served me well in each leadership position I’ve served in, from teaching to management.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Tricia and I have moved over 10 times in our 18 year marriage. We’ve had to make new friends, travel further to see family, and find new positions everywhere we’ve gone. During my time in the Military, I was away from family for a total of three years over my six years of active duty service, including two deployments to the Middle East.
I’ve had some very low times but through it all, Tricia and I have stuck together and leaned on our faith in God.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialties include teaching, training and serving others.
Though I’m no longer serving as a High School Teacher, but I’ve never stopped Teaching, Training, and Leading. In the Military, I was put into a leadership as early as three weeks into basic training. As a UAS Operator, I was able to teach and train other pilots, while also leading my own team. From there I became an officer and lead a Platoon of over 20 Soldiers. My platoon consisted of Soldiers with three distinct job specialties, and I helped ensure my Team was cross trained in all three areas of specialization.
As a successful Advisor, I’ve had the opportunity to teach and train over 50 new Advisors and develop them into successful Advisors in their own right. In my current role, I get to work with both senior and rookie Advisors, and I led the training program for the district. I’ve also been selected to teach a class for all new employees at our corporate office in Fort Worth.
Teaching is in my blood, and I’ve found a way to be a successful servant in every role I’ve held.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As a regional manager, I’m always looing for new Advisors to join the team. If you know anyone interested in the financial industry, I’d love to have a conversation with them about what I do, and see if I can help steer them to a career that provides job satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
My team and I love to actively support military events and participate in fundraisers.
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