The Weight and Joy of a Legacy
When I think about the word “legacy,” I don’t think of money, property, or titles. I think of values. I think of the lessons that shaped me from childhood, the ones I’ve carried through my career, my family life, and my service to others. Passing the torch to the next generation is about much more than giving them opportunities—it’s about equipping them with the tools to lead with purpose.
I was blessed to grow up in a home where purpose was lived out every day. My father, a preacher, and my mother, a steady and faithful presence, made sure we knew the value of faith, hard work, and integrity. As the first male child of seven siblings, I learned early on that responsibility is both a privilege and a calling. Four of my siblings went on to be valedictorians, and all of us pursued careers where we could make a difference. That drive didn’t come from chasing success for its own sake—it came from wanting to serve. That’s the torch I want to pass on.
Lessons from the Classroom and Beyond
My own journey began in the classroom, but it didn’t end there. From graduating as valedictorian at Oakwood Academy to earning honors in chemistry and biology at Oakwood University, I was driven by the belief that education was more than a means to a career—it was a way to prepare myself for a life of service.
That belief carried me through medical school at Loma Linda University, where I completed my studies in an accelerated program. Later, during my residency in ENT, head and neck surgery, and facial plastic surgery, I saw firsthand how knowledge paired with compassion could transform lives.
What I want the next generation to understand is this: education isn’t just about gathering information. It’s about shaping your character, broadening your perspective, and preparing yourself to meet the needs of others.
Service as the True Measure of Success
One of the most formative experiences of my life came when I traveled to Bangkok and the Cambodian refugee camps during my residency. I performed surgeries on those who had little or no access to healthcare. Many had endured unimaginable hardship. Those moments humbled me. They also deepened my belief that the greatest leaders are servants first.
That belief inspired me to start Global Healing Inc., a foundation dedicated to bringing healthcare to underserved communities around the world. We’ve worked in Laos, Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines, including nearly a decade serving the Mayne tribe. Through it all, I’ve seen that leadership grounded in service leaves a far greater impact than leadership grounded in ambition.
If I could pass one lesson on to young leaders, it’s this: measure your success by the good you bring into the lives of others.
Leading by Example at Home
While my professional life has been deeply fulfilling, I’m most proud of the lessons I’ve passed on to my own family. My wife and I have raised sons who are now pursuing careers in pre-law and pre-med. We didn’t just tell them to work hard—we showed them what it looks like to dedicate yourself to a calling.
When we started ATR Law Group PLLC together in Phoenix, my role as CEO and CFO was another opportunity to model leadership for them. They saw how we handled challenges, treated clients with respect, and made decisions guided by principle rather than profit alone.
Leadership in the family works the same way it does in business or in service—you can’t inspire anyone if your words and actions don’t match.
The Importance of Integrity and Perseverance
Young leaders today face a world that moves faster than ever before. Opportunities are everywhere, but so are distractions. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of quick results or instant recognition. My message to the next generation is this: take the long view.
Integrity isn’t built in a day. It’s built in the way you show up consistently, keep your promises, and do what’s right even when no one is watching. Perseverance means you keep going even when the road is steep, the setbacks are discouraging, and the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
When I look back at my own path—from medical school, to running a private practice, to founding a nonprofit, to leading a law firm—it wasn’t a straight line. It was a series of challenges met with faith, hard work, and the belief that giving up was not an option.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
Passing the torch isn’t just about telling young people to lead with purpose—it’s about giving them the space and support to do it. That means mentoring them, offering guidance when they stumble, and sometimes letting them learn through their own mistakes.
In my philanthropic work, I’ve seen how access to resources can transform a young person’s future. In the Philippines, providing food, clothing, and shelter to the Mayne tribe isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about giving the next generation a foundation on which to build a better life.
Closer to home, it means encouraging young professionals to step into leadership roles, take ownership of projects, and develop their own voice. The goal isn’t to have them follow in our exact footsteps, but to inspire them to find their own path of service.
A Torch Worth Carrying
As I think about my own life’s work, I realize that the torch I’ve been carrying all these years is lit by faith, fueled by service, and guided by integrity. Passing it on isn’t about letting go—it’s about making sure its light spreads farther than I could carry it alone.
My hope for the next generation is that they’ll carry this light into places I’ve never been, touch lives I’ll never meet, and solve problems I could never imagine. If they lead with purpose, grounded in values that outlast trends and titles, they’ll not only honor the torch—they’ll make it burn brighter.
Because in the end, true leadership isn’t about what you achieve for yourself. It’s about the difference you make in the lives of others and the legacy you leave for those who follow. And that’s a torch worth carrying.