2021 Best & Brightest Business Major: Cameron Police, Southern Methodist University (Cox)

Cameron Police

Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business

Native Texan with roots in Sicily. Developing learner, servant leader, and student of industry.”

Fun fact about yourself: I hold a captain’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Hometown: Frisco, TX

High School: Wakeland High School

Major: Finance with a specialization in Alternative Asset Management

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: It’s a toss-up between Evolution of American Capitalism,”taught by Al Niemi and Perspectives on American Business Through the Lens of General Motors, taught by Gary Moskowitz. Both are incredibly unique courses that you won’t find at any other school.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Leadership Roles:

  • President, Boulevard Investment Group
  • Associate & Teaching Assistant, EnCap Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center
  • Cox Career Management Center, Peer Coach
  • President, Entrepreneurship Club (2018-2019)

Honors & Awards:

  • Fellow, Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies
  • BBA Scholar, Dean’s Scholar, Sewell Merit Scholar, Susie V. and Edgar W. Armentrout Scholar (x2)
  • Honor Roll with High Distinction
  • Beta Gamma Sigma

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • PJT Partners (Houston) – Investment Banking Winter Analyst
  • PJT Partners (New York City) – Investment Banking Winter Analyst
  • Citi (New York City) – Investment Banking Summer Analyst
  • TenOaks Energy Advisors (Dallas) – Investment Banking Intern
  • Reynolds & Lapp (Dallas) – Brokerage & Development Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? I’ll be joining PJT Partners in New York City as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Strategic Advisory group.

What company do you admire most? I have great respect for the team behind Tractor Supply Company. They have taken a thoughtful approach to growth which has resulted in industry-leading performance as a retailer. Their mission statement couldn’t read truer: work hard, have fun and make money.

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Dr. William Maxwell. He taught me that there is great value in struggle and that there is no single correct answer to many questions in business. He has fostered incredible camaraderie through the Alternative Asset Management Center and continues to make strides with the program year over year.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I gained is that those who succeed in business rely greatly on instinct on top of their keen understanding of fundamentals. By itself, mastering the curriculum will not be enough to be competitive in the market. The Cox School of Business has done an incredible job both teaching the curriculum and helping develop the instinct. Fortunately, neither end at graduation.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? In these competitive fields, focus on what you can control. There will always be students who are uniquely more talented or intellectual. There is no substitute for having a good attitude, being persistent, and paying the man daily – all things that are entirely in your control.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I have been most surprised by how the various disciplines in business have a symbiotic relationship with each other. Finance cannot exist without accounting, both of which involve projects driven by management. Marketing relies on business analytics, and real estate has its own spin on each. The relationship between these majors just goes to demonstrate just how many aspects of business cooperate with each other.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I would have made a more concerted effort to connect with industry professionals around Dallas. SMU has the unique luxury of being located in a city that is established as an economic powerhouse, and many professionals are eager to give their time and mentorship to students. I developed several relationships that I truly value during my time at SMU; however, if I were to do it over, I would focus more on being a student of local businesspeople.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Having the opportunity to lead the Boulevard Investment Group as President was the most rewarding experience I had at SMU. My time with the group was a very unique glance into the dynamics of an organization; getting to work alongside some of my best friends made the experience priceless. Learning and growing with the group turned my idea of leadership upside-down and taught me a lot about myself.

Which classmate do you most admire? I have great admiration for Lin Yang, who moved across the globe to settle in Dallas with no existing friends or family. He quietly built a reputation for himself as one of the smartest and hardest-working students in our class (with the honors and success in job recruiting to back it up). It is a privilege to have studied and worked alongside him.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents have been a consistent force in guiding me to where I stand today. They are my personal board of directors and have supported me with a steady hand in pursuits both near and far. They have taught me many valuable lessons and have let me learn just as many on my own – for that I am very fortunate.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I place a lot of importance on accomplishing two goals during my career: bringing people together and protecting the American Dream. I think these can manifest in any number of ways.

What are your hobbies? Being on the water (boating, watersports, fishing), live music, automotive industry, recreational golf

What made Cameron such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021?

“It’s not hyperbole to say that Cameron is in the top 1% of students to ever walk the halls of the Cox School. He is an all-star in every respect.  He’s one of our top performers in the classroom and has secured and outstanding job after graduation in New York.  His leadership in our Boulevard Investment Group has been incredibly beneficial to all students at the Cox School.  He has excelled in our top finance program, and worked to give back to recruitment events anytime we asked him. Every year, I think about one or two seniors who are about to graduate, wondering what the Cox School is going to do without them.  Cameron is that student this year.  But for the first time in forever, I’m not that worried about this because Cameron has mentored so many younger students to take his place when he leaves.  The Cox School is undoubtedly a better place because he came here.  I hope we have left our mark on him as well, but Cameron was destined for great things from the start.  We are thrilled he graced us with his presence, and we are excited to call him an alum.”

Jim Bryan
Associate Dean, BBA Programs

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