Knox News 40 under 40's Raleigh McCammon works for the love of the game

Raleigh McCammon, 34, President, Gulfstream Sports

Raleigh McCammon has always had a passion for sports, on and off the court. McCammon took his pursuit of the game and turned it into an adjacent career as the president of Gulfstream Sports, a financial and wealth management business that represents professional athletes.

Gulfstream Sports set out to serve the best interest for athletes. After all, it's athletes who manage and founded the company, which helps professional players navigate investment opportunities, manage their portfolios, continue their education, plan for retirement and more. To grow Gulfstream's clientele, McCammon leverages his connections in the NFL, NBA, MLB, ATP and the PGA Tour.

In 50-100 words, introduce yourself to our readers

Most importantly, I am a Christian. I founded my basketball camps and AAU franchise two decades ago with a singular mission: to serve and empower the youth athletes of Knoxville. Five years later, the baseball organization was launched. Today, I've expanded my focus as an investment advisor and sports agent, dedicated to helping athletes not just reach but exceed their goals. In my spare time, you can find me playing bad golf or enjoying a happy hour with friends.

When you reflect on your career so far, which achievement stands out most?

While I'm always excited to see clients achieve significant gains in their investment accounts with us and enjoy securing exciting new marketing deals for my athlete clientele, my greatest achievements are the successes of the kids I've coached. Watching them excel in athletics − whether that's competing in SEC basketball, ACC football, becoming top national recruits or even reaching the MLB All-Star game − along with their accomplishments in business and witnessing milestones like marriage, is truly meaningful. Their success is my proudest accomplishment.

What is the greatest professional obstacle you've had to overcome and how did you overcome it?

Easily the sudden passing of my mom 10 years ago. It completely robbed me of my motivation. I learned that the secret to peace is embracing your circumstance as if you had chosen it. Once I made the decision every day to accept where I was, it erased any sense of victimhood and gave me the strength to live each day with purpose − to make her proud.

In the days right after her passing, I was playing tennis with a friend when he brought along a buddy. Two years later, that buddy would hire me at Gulfstream. Isn't God amazing? His timing and plan are beyond what I could have ever imagined.

What will you focus on in 2026?

Growth − both personal and professional − in every area of my life. I'm committed to leveling up in everything I do, but more importantly, I'll be focused on deepening the relationships with the people who matter most. I've seen firsthand that life is fragile, and tomorrow is never promised. I want to pour into my people, show them how much they mean to me and make sure they feel valued every single day.

What is your biggest professional dream?

Honestly, I'm living it every day. Every morning that I'm blessed to wake up, I'm grateful to work alongside amazing people in a phenomenal business. I have the privilege of attending premier sporting events, spending my days with athletes and coaches, and being immersed in the world I've always loved.

What mistake did you learn the most from?

Overextending myself and trying to juggle too many things at once. Early on, I believed that success meant saying "yes" to everything − more projects, more commitments, more opportunities. But what I learned is that trying to do it all can quickly lead to burnout, scattered focus and unnecessary stress.

The real lesson was realizing that true impact comes from focusing on the ventures and people that genuinely matter to you. If something causes more stress than value, it's time to reassess and, more often than not, let it go. Quality always trumps quantity.

What motivates you?

Proving people right.

I'm motivated by the kids who choose to play for me, by the parents who put their faith in me to lead and mentor their children, knowing I'll always have their best interests at heart. I'm driven by the professionals who entrust their dreams and financial futures to me as an investment advisor and the professional athletes who rely on me to secure the best deals that will shape their careers.

And, of course, by the friends and family who've always had my back − those who lend a hand when needed and who believe in me even when I can't see the full picture myself.

What is the most overrated piece of business advice you've heard?

Always be grinding is terrible business advice because it leads straight to burnout. Work is important, but there's so much more to life than just the hustle. Take the trip, enjoy the moments and give yourself permission to relax. True success is about balance, perspective and making time for what and who really matters.

What trait do you most want in a co-worker?

Self-awareness. Turn the speakerphone off and put your headphones in.

What about Knoxville would you like to improve?

I think we have a city government that would do well to follow more closely the example of its sister government in the county. When you are raising taxes ... while simultaneously spending well into six figures on art and the arts, eventually businesses will take notice.

• Thank you to: Rol McCammon (father); Kiki McCammon (late mother); Ellie McCammon (sister)
• Years worked at current company: Eight
• Degrees and certifications: Bachelor's degree in sports management, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Series 65 Investment licensee; National Association of Basketball Coaches member
• Community involvement: Head Coach/Owner at Tennessee Wampus Cats Basketball since 2006; Coach at Knoxville Fire Baseball since 2014; Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley; Board Member at Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame; Founding Member at Marble City Conservatives

- Joanna Hayes

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox News 40 under 40 honors Raleigh McCammon, Gulfstream Sports