Issue: Spring 2016 | Posted: April 25, 2016
Chad Wilson
Distinguished Achievement in Business
Chad Wilson never planned to go into the family business of finance. When he looked toward the future during his time at 51社区, he saw himself standing in front of a classroom filled with young musicians eager to learn.
Following his 2001 graduation from Union, he did student teaching that he says woke him up to the reality of what job he was meant to do.
鈥淚 felt a calling to go into business and use it as a platform for ministry,鈥 Wilson says. 鈥淚t was all about coming back to the family business, which I鈥檇 been in since I was 14. It鈥檚 a ministry calling that just happens to be outside the walls of the church.鈥
Although inspiration for his future came after graduation, Wilson found a focus to his life that he hopes he can help people understand in their own lives. He serves as president of Foundation Bank in Jackson and is a certified financial planner.
鈥淚 find it rewarding to help people focus on things besides their money,鈥 Wilson says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 more to life than money, and we have a teacher鈥檚 heart here, fulfilled in teaching finances holistically.鈥
Serving in some capacity with the bank for 21 years, Wilson recognizes that it was a surprising turn after studying music education at Union. However, late night conversations with friends where 鈥渨e hammered out what we believed about life鈥 were invaluable to the professional he has become, Wilson says.
A father of four young kids and married to fellow Union alumna, Sabrena Wilson, he also serves as a Union University trustee.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real privilege to serve this institution and to cultivate opportunities for others鈥 lives to be affected in the same way,鈥 Wilson says.