Beau Ruff

Director of Planning

Cornerstone Wealth Strategies Retired U.S. Army Jag Corps Officer

What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?

Bringing the esteemed attorney Shea Meehan back to the Tri-Cities.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Reputation is the real currency. Every day, every handshake, every email, every ethical “gray area” is an opportunity to protect and polish or perish that reputation.

To whom or where do you go for sound business advice?

I love to read and probably complete around 40 nonfiction books a year. These often include business books. They are my source for sound business advice.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

Ruff’s Giant Burgers. There’s nothing like the noon rush to teach you how to keep your head when things get chaotic.

Name one item on your bucket list.

I don’t have a traditional bucket list. I feel fortunate to have seen enough of the world and to tackle high-stakes challenges. My bucket list is more of a commitment to consistency: showing up for my clients, my family and my community.

Name one thing about yourself you want people to know.

As my family prepares our bittersweet relocation to Seattle, I want people to know how much of the Tri-Cities I’m taking with me. I was born and raised here. This community taught me that influence isn’t about your title or business, but it’s about the consistency of your contribution.

What is your favorite Tri-Cities restaurant and what do you order there?

The only restaurant my family frequents on a consistent basis is the Costco Food Court for the unbeatable pepperoni pizza.

If you had one wish for the Tri-Cities, what would it be?

My wish is for a unified regional identity. We sometimes operate in silos. I wish for the continued breakdown of these “invisible borders” so we can tackle big-picture issues.