Joshua W. Desha

Risk Strategies Company

I've been in the Employee Benefits world since 2007 and I'm excited to now partner with Risk Strategies as Vice President of Business Development.  My years in this industry have taught me a lot, and the most important lesson I've learned is this:  More than anything else, employees, employers, C-level executives, owners, and HR leaders deserve a partner who...

💪 Understands the Benefits world and keeps up with innovation.
💪 Takes the time to really get to know (and WANTS to know) their company/industry/business.
💪 Willingly walks their clients through a REAL and INNOVATIVE long-term strategic benefits system based upon the needs of their employees, and the company financially.

The sad fact is that the vast majority in this industry never take the time to do these things for and with their clients. It's one of the reasons benefit rates are consistently increasing, employee satisfaction is at an all time low, and brokers are forced to move from carrier to carrier begging for a better deal. 

If you are a company and you are looking for a partner, a real partner, that will walk with you through this minefield of Employee Benefits, then let's talk.

Vice President of Business Development

The Leadership Lighthouse

The Leadership Lighthouse aims to be a beacon of hope, visibility, and leadership within each and every community. We help leaders lead.

Head of Operations

🔥 Helping Employees reduce their healthcare costs (Access to Doctors, Therapists, and 425+ generic drugs at NO COST) 🎯 Allowing Employers the chance to lower overall Health Insurance Spend 🙌🏼 🙏🏼 Benefits Nerd 🤓

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗺 𝗜❓𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 “𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲” 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁❗



I am one of the leading employee benefit experts on Linkedin. As an accomplished professional, I've worked with individuals and corporations alike.  
 
I believe to be genuinely GREAT you MUST stand out and be different!

Leaders in our industry should...
 
👊🏼 Stop being boring and ordinary!
👊🏼 Learn what matters to others FIRST.
👊🏼 Know your customer's story and needs better than they do.
👊🏼 Figure out how to put it all together for a long term/sustainable business strategy.
 
► 𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
 
🔥Worked with hundreds of different businesses on strategic benefits planning.
🔥Led a team of 21 offices to business growth of 218% within 12 months.
🔥12-time Presidents Club winner in 2 different industries.
🔥I've started 2 companies from the ground up.
🔥11 Industry Elite Award trips.
🔥Took a team of young salespeople and turned them into the highest producing team in the company's history.

► 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆:

💰  I'm somewhat of an Employee Benefits sharp-shooter.  Being in the business since 2007, I've seen it all.  
💰  I can speak in movie quotes and still get my point across.

💰  I'm an all-around good guy.  :)  And hey, that seems to be missing in today's world, right?
 
► 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆:

☎️   512-876-4677
📩   jdesha@risk-strategies.com
💬   DM me here on Linkedin
🐤   Carrier Pidgeon (just tell it to go to "THAT DUDE" and it will get to me)

Director of Sales

Revive Health is Virtual Healthcare 2.0.  Stop spending so much money on healthcare and health insurance. We facilitate rapid and easy access to affordable, quality care and prescription medications. Our membership plans start at less than $1/day.

I lead BGW’s business development efforts & coach a select group of CEOs & their teams as they scale up their businesses. BGW is truly an “Anything but Typical” accounting firm focused on helping privately held businesses & their owners save money, make money, stay out of trouble, & have fun. As a number of us have started up, turned around, &/or run companies ourselves, we’re not a typical accounting firm.

Connector. MacGyver. Confidant. Owner.

Anything But Typical Podcast

Ben McDonald & I launched this biweekly podcast in December, 2019, to highlight the stories of humble, "Anything but Typical" local entrepreneurs willing to share their "behind-the-scenes" stories (vs. the typical Instagram "showreels") to encourage & inspire others.

Co-Founder & Co-Host

The Paquin Company

Paquin specializes in custom-engineered products built specifically for our customers' needs and represents a robust inventory of hydraulics, pneumatics, linear motion, components, and systems. I'm honored to serve this dynamic company's Management Team as one of their three outside Board members.

Member of the Board of Advisors

C3 Roundtable

The C3 Roundtable is a by-invitation-only group of like-minded professionals across non-competitive industries who are committed to growing, nurturing, and protecting their relational networks.

What ISN'T it? A business card exchange, "meet market", multi-level network marketing, or after-hours social club.

What does "C3" stand for?
> "Connecting" -- Helping one another via meaningful introductions to potential win-win solutions while treating such introductions with the utmost of respect and personal integrity. Our own reputations are on the line!
> "Collaborating" -- Serving as a trusted "think tank" and idea exchange for one another in business development-related opportunities and challenges.
> "Community" -- Deepening our level of positive impact throughout the Charlotte community in particular.

What are the requirements?
> Track record of personal integrity and treating relationships as something that is sacred vs. a means to an end.
> A past or present role in business development from non-competing industries.
> A desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and our own sphere of the world.

What is the format? Monthly 1.5-hour meetings at member offices (when applicable) or rotating lunch spot. 5-6 individuals per roundtable.

Founder

Insight CXO

Strategic Partner

Insight CXO helps coachable CEOs and their teams inspire leadership, accelerate growth, and crush the competition. We bring clarity and alignment to strategy, people, and execution in measurable sprints across the organization – from the management team on down. Our goal is to help you double (or more) your business in three to five years.

Partner

TriLinc Global, LLC

(InvestLinc assets acquired by TriLinc Global in Dec. '09. Named TriLinc CMO Jan. 2010-2011)

In addition to continuing with the InvestLinc responsibilities listed below on the InvestLinc position resulting from the InvestLinc asset purchase that was effective as of January 2010, TriLinc CMO responsibilities included: brand positioning and management, website and marketing materials development and management, and investor relations. Even though I declined to move to Los Angeles and left my CMO position with the firm in February, 2011, I have continued to serve as advisor to the CEO and in investor relations in serving the InvestLinc community regarding the remaining InvestLinc assets stewarded by TriLinc.

CEO Advisor & Investor Liason

Responsible for developing long-term business relationships while supporting the dynamic growth and expansion efforts of the Carolinas office as well as RGP as a whole. RGP is a global professional services firm with expertise in six service lines: Accounting and Finance, Information Management, Internal Audit, Legal Services, Human Resources and Supply Chain Management. Although the company has its roots as part of Deloitte, since 2000 it has operated as an independent and publicly traded company [NASDAQ (RECN)] with over 70 offices worldwide and over 3,000 professionals.
> Secured new business with two global insurance companies, one of the largest electric power companies in the U.S. and expanded our relationship with one of the largest U.S. banks.

Senior Director of Client Services

Intigral, Inc.

Retained by Founder of leading insulating glass manufacturer (& former InvestLinc Board of Managers member) to establish a differentiated customer experience, elevate loyalty, measurement, marketing, and business development efforts while setting a new direction for the sales team.
> Led 2014 targeted business development efforts resulting in approx. $6 million in new business and re-securing one of our largest customers after they split their business between us and our competitor at the end of 2013.
> 2014 sales team efforts yielded 16%+ sales growth, eclipsed sales targets, filled plants to capacity, and resulted in the first profitable year in a number of years.
> Reorganized sales group, developed new markets, sourced new products.
> Created first actionable road map for maximizing the customer experience across all interactions.
> Launched new corporate positioning, graphic standards, website, corporate videos, and industry sponsorships.
> Accomplished turnaround mission presented to me in 2012 and the company no longer requires a VP-level Sales, Marketing, & Customer Experience leader.

VP, Customer Experience & Sales

Arras KEATHLEY

Rejoined Arras as President to help the CEO and Founder rebuild and/or position this marketing and brand innovation firm for a merger or acquisition. Firm has deep expertise in automotive/powersports products and services, home-related products and services, and consumer packaged goods. Company merged with Keathley Design Group in early 2012 to become Arras Keathley.

President (Arras Group)

InvestLinc

(Assets sold to TriLinc Global in late 2009)

Sold my consultancy, Brand Convergency, to InvestLinc in June 2005. Continued with InvestLinc to help its Board of Managers wind the company down and sell remaining assets to TriLinc Global in late December 2009.

InvestLinc responsibilities included:
> Customer experience development including: brand development, brand & cultural integration, M&A due diligence facilitation, brand & investor communications oversight, and formation of InvestLinc Life Services.
> Oversee Capital3 Community and Life Services: a suite of services designed to promote the well-being of the whole individual. Services such as: Community retreats for bringing people of wealth to learn, grow, and connect. Executive Health Services and 24-hour health care concierge are available in partnership with Cleveland Clinic. Life Services also provides access to David Zelman, PhD, founder of Transitions Institute and one of the nation’s leading life coaches. Family or corporate histories preserved through personal Memoirs. Spiritual care via a minister of national stature.

Chief Impact Officer

🎯I love helping CEOs & teams save money, make money, stay out of trouble, & have FUN🎯

Before MacGyver came on the scene, I’d completed my first turnaround at 28. I got the “MacGyver” nickname for my first “help us fix this acquisition” assignment within a Fortune 100 company.
 
👉Do you need someone “outside the jar to help you read the label” and help you simplify the complex?
👉Do you want to save money, make money, stay out of trouble, and have fun?
👉Do you want to silence the internal voice of imposter syndrome that says you’re not good enough?
 
You might need a MacGyver like me to help.
 
As a college dropout, every job I had was “Master’s preferred. Bachelor’s required,” so I couldn’t rest on my credentials or pedigree (or lack thereof). I had to hustle, think creatively, and forge bullet-proof collaborations.
 
My Anything but Typical career highlights:
 
1. Credited by Yokohama’s CEO for advancing market share & profitability via brand clarity
2. Served as President of four companies, including transforming a fledgling web portal from 3 employees into a $100M company (Bizjournals.com)
3. Named among Forbes Magazine’s “Best of the Web” at Bizjournals.com
4. Pioneered Bank of America’s first coordinated, segment-specific business marketing approach
5. Co-founded the Anything but Typical podcast in 2019
6. Speaker and author of “Silence the Imposter: 7 Weapons to Silence Imposter” syndrome
7. Coach and confidant to CEOs from small, privately held companies to international behemoths

taplio

The Battle

Joshua W. Desha

Gary Frey

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?