Inspired Leaders Series Welcomes Fred McCallister

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 09:44am | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake

More than 120 students attended the Spring 2025 Inspired Leaders Series, hosted by the College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). The featured speaker was Fred McCallister, founder and president of Caddo Lake Capital, who shared stories from his wide-ranging career and offered invaluable advice for students preparing to be ready for life.

With an impressive professional background that spans law, engineering, business management, and financial services, McCallister has provided merger and acquisition advisory services for nearly two decades across numerous industries, representing both buyers and sellers of businesses. He has also appeared as a guest on several major news networks including CNN, Fox News and Bloomberg.

Among the many pieces of wisdom he offered during his visit, one powerful takeaway resonated across the room:

“It’s not always about finding your passion. Instead, be passionate about what you find.”

Those in attendance walked away with new perspectives on leadership, adaptability and career-building. The Inspired Leaders Series invites industry leaders to connect with students in both large and small group settings, offering a front-row seat to real-world success stories. In addition to the keynote session, McCallister spoke with students in accounting and finance classes and enjoyed lunch with members of the EAGLE Scholars Program—providing multiple opportunities for students to engage with and learn from an accomplished executive.

A Southern Miss alumnus, McCallister holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from USM and earned his Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law.