# Chance Mims

> Chance Mims is the San Diego-based founder and CEO of Academy Securities, established in 2009. A former U.S. naval officer with experience at Home Depot and in real estate, he built the investment bank around financial services expertise and military veteran recruitment. He also leads Academy Asset Management and received an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Pacific Southwest award.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Academy Securities
- **Organizations:** Academy Securities, Academy Asset Management, Academy Ventures, SIFMA, United States Navy, The Home Depot
- **Education:** BS in Economics, United States Naval Academy, MBA, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
- **Known for:** Founded Academy Securities in 2009., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Pacific Southwest award winner., Established a veteran-focused financial services business with mentoring, internships and securities licensing support.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Studied economics at the U.S. Naval Academy; a department field trip introduced him to Wall Street.
- **—** — Served as a naval officer aboard USS Sentry and USS John Paul Jones, including service during Operation Enduring Freedom.
- **—** — Worked as an executive and project manager at Home Depot.
- **—** — Founded and led a San Diego real estate brokerage, mortgage and property management business before Academy Securities.
- **2009** — Founded Academy Securities.
- **2012** — Academy secured a $4 million subordinated loan and four-year mentorship agreement from JPMorgan Chase.
- **2023** — Received an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Southwest award; Academy Asset Management launched VETZ.
- **2026** — Academy announced VETZ had exceeded $100 million in assets under management.

## Achievements

- Founded Academy Securities in 2009.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Pacific Southwest award winner.
- Established a veteran-focused financial services business with mentoring, internships and securities licensing support.
- Led a Home Depot Six Sigma profitability project credited in his professional biography with millions of dollars in annualized savings.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Academy announced Major General John Edwards joined its advisory board and Geopolitical Intelligence Group on October 20; Mims highlighted his national security policy and acquisitions experience.
- **2026-09** — Academy appointed Michael Hayes to lead municipal trading and Brian Curci to lead municipal sales.
- **2026-08** — Rob Born joined Academy Ventures as partner; the announcement said the venture arm had invested in more than 20 companies using internal partners’ capital.
- **2026-04** — Academy Asset Management announced VETZ had surpassed $100 million in assets under management.

## Links

- Website: https://academysecurities.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chancemims

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/chance-mims
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26