Prior to launching Academy Ventures Mr. Mims founded and leads Academy Securities, the first post-9/11 disabled veteran-owned and operated investment bank. Immediately prior to launching Academy Securities, Mr. Mims founded a San Diego, California based boutique real estate brokerage, mortgage, and property management firm. Previously, Mr. Mims served as a naval officer onboard the USS Sentry MCM-3 and the USS John Paul Jones DDG-53 guided missile destroyer enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq and taking part in the initial strikes into Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Mims holds a BS in Economics from the US Naval Academy and an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Mr. Mims holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses.

Prior to founding Academy Ventures with Chance Mims, Mr. Graham joined Academy Securities where he is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Graham was a Partner at Academy Properties where he managed operations firm-wide. Previously, Mr. Graham worked for Lehman Brothers, Inc. as a Sales Associate in fixed income trading, specializing in bond and credit default swap transactions on behalf of institutional clients. Prior to this, he was a Commissioned Officer of the United States Navy and served as a Division Officer on board the USS John Paul Jones DDG 53 guided missile destroyer and USS Thach FFG 43 guided missile frigate where he completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq. Mr. Graham is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School. He holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, 27, 52, 53 and 63 licenses.

Spencer Wilcox joined Academy Ventures as a Senior Partner in 2025. Mr. Wilcox also serves as President, Head of Capital Markets at Academy Securities. Prior to his current role, Mr. Wilcox worked at Jefferies for 5 years having traded a broad array of Fixed Income products. Mr. Wilcox served in the United States Navy, where he planned and led over 180 flying missions and over 50 armed missions as a helicopter aircraft commander. In Kabul, Afghanistan, he led a 7-man joint team and was instrumental in establishing the first-ever Commando training program for the Afghan government. Mr. Wilcox negotiated with 43 foreign governments, 80 ships, and several U.S. government agencies to plan and execute 24 strategic humanitarian missions under U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp. Mr. Wilcox is a United States Naval Academy graduate with post-graduate work (MBA) at Columbia University – Columbia Business School and University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. He holds his Series 7, 24, 63 licenses.

Bret Lowry joined Academy Ventures as a Portfolio Manager in 2025. Mr. Lowry also serves as a Managing Director, Head of Special Situations at Academy Securities. Mr. Lowry has over ten years of experience in M&A, most recently working as a Director in Investment Banking focusing on Consumer & Retail Mergers & Acquisitions at Financo. Prior to that, Mr. Lowry worked as an Investment Banking Vice President in Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Global Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Mr. Lowry was a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, where he completed two Persian Gulf deployments as Maritime Interdiction Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Boarding Officer, Communications Officer, and Engineering Officer. During his service, Mr. Lowry was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals for leadership and mission accomplishment in United Nations sanctions enforcement and National Command Authority tasking. Mr. Lowry is a US Naval Academy graduate and earned his MBA from the University of Southern California. He holds his FINRA Series 24, 63 and 79 licenses.