Episode Description
In this episode of SuperPerformers, host Rob Herman speaks with Gary Henson, CFA and founding managing partner of 503 Capital Partners, about his journey through financial services, entrepreneurship, and personal tragedy. From his early career in banking to co-founding and leading successful investment firms, Henson shares candid insights on resilience, risk-taking, and finding purpose after a profound loss. His story demonstrates how volatility—both professional and personal—can ultimately lead to a clearer vision and deeper impact.
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Episode Summary
Gary Henson’s career exemplifies resilience and reinvention across multiple phases of the financial services industry. The episode begins with his humble roots in Jefferson City, Missouri, and chronicles his early banking career where a demanding mentor helped unleash his competitive nature. Henson details his rapid rise through asset management, from managing billions in fixed income at a young age to navigating the challenges of single parenthood while building his professional reputation.
The conversation explores Henson’s pivotal role in the growth of Mariner Wealth Advisors and Montage Investments alongside entrepreneur Marty Bicknell, which helped transform them into financial powerhouses. He shares insights from being early adopters of innovative investment approaches and democratizing alternative assets for high-net-worth clients.
In the most poignant segment, Henson opens up about losing his son Garrett to addiction in 2015, and how this devastating loss led to his involvement with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit fighting addiction. He discusses the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and removing the stigma that prevents effective treatment. The episode concludes with Henson explaining how his new venture, 503 Capital Partners, allows him to “do well by doing good” through private credit investments in charter schools, senior living facilities, and waste transition projects.
“If I can do this and we can educate more kids, if we can house more seniors, if we can change manure to renewable natural gas—which are all the entities that we lend to that do a societal good—[then] this is a really good way for me to end my career.”
Podcast Description
The SuperPerformers podcast, powered by 4100FS, offers accessible insights from successful, driven leaders across various fields. Host Rob Herman engages guests from business, medicine, law, sports, entertainment, philanthropy, and other sectors to deliver compelling stories and valuable lessons from those who have achieved excellence in their fields.