Wisdom & Insights

The Wisdom & Insights Series brings leaders together to share hard-earned wisdom and lived experience, strengthening discernment and faithful leadership for real-world impact.

The Brock Forum

The Brock Forum on Authentic Christian Leadership was established in 2007 to encourage excellence in leadership through thoughtful reflection on the application of biblical principles in the arena of business leadership.

As a a day-long event, the Brock Forum brings a nationally-recognized Christian business leader to speak to Covenant College students, interact with members of the Covenant College community, and engage in dialogue with the Chattanooga business community.

Brock Forum keynote speakers:

Newt Crenshaw, President, Young Life
Mike Duke, former CEO, Walmart
J. Frank Harrison III, Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc.
Moe Girkins, former CEO, Zondervan Publishing
Henry Kaestner, founding CEO, Bandwidth.com/co-founder and Partner, Sovereign’s Capital
Bob Bosworth, former COO, Chattem
Bob Lawless, former CEO, McCormick Spice
Steve Reinemund, former CEO, PepsiCo
Bill Pollard, former CEO, ServiceMaster

The Barnes Executive-In-Residence Series

The Barnes Executive-in-Residence program brings current and former executives to the college’s campus to guest speak in classes, engage with students in out-of-classroom settings, and interact with the Chattanooga business community. These executives come largely from business, but also from government, professional services, and the not-for-profit sector. This flexible program allows executives to be on campus from three to five days in a semester, and affords students and the community the opportunity to explore leadership principles and realities with experienced practitioners.

Barnes Executives-in-Residence guests:

Brent Beshore,CEO, Permanent Equity
The Honorable Paul J. McNulty, Grove City College
James Herring, Managing Director, Private Wealth Management, UBS New York
Frank Reich, former NFL Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers
Joey Ballard, EVP, People & Safety, Covenant Logistics

Leaders in the Arena Series

The series features leaders who are actively doing the work of leadership—in workplaces, organizations, and communities—where decisions carry weight and values are tested.

Through honest stories and reflection, guests share practical wisdom shaped by Christian conviction, offering insight into leading with integrity, stewardship, humility, and care for others. Together, these conversations invite listeners into a broader dialogue about faithful leadership in a changing world.

Listen on Spotify

See Leadership Stories and Insights below for full guest list and recorded stories

Featured Guests

Executive in Residence
April 7 – 9, 2026

brent beshore

Brent Beshore
Permanent Equity, Founder

Brent Beshore, founder of Permanent Equity, will serve as an Executive-in-Residence at the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership, engaging students, faculty, and community leaders in conversations on stewardship, long-term thinking, and character-centered leadership. Through classes, small-group discussions, and community gatherings, Brent will share insights on building enduring organizations and leading faithfully in a short-term world.

Mr. Beshore founded the investment firm built on the conviction that enduring businesses deserve enduring capital. Rather than chasing quick exits or leveraged buyouts, Brent and his team commit patient capital with no predetermined sell-date, partnering with founders and leadership teams to preserve culture and long-term value. Known for his contrarian view that “boring is beautiful” and for championing stewardship over short-termism, Brent blends practical operating experience with thoughtful principles on incentives, humility, and leadership. Outside of work, he writes widely on business and life, speaks regularly on integrating character and decision-making, and invests deeply in community and family.

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

2 Peter 1:3-4