Sean Hornbuckle
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones & House Democratic Leader, West Virginia Legislature
Written by Kenzie Dye Photos by Tracy A. Toler Photography
Hornbuckle visits Cebe Ross Field.
Life has been rooted in community, perspective and purpose for Sean Hornbuckle. He works as a financial advisor for Edward Jones and serves as house democratic leader for the West Virginia Legislature, but his journey to leadership began long before his professional career.
Growing up on Doulton Avenue in Huntington, WV, Hornbuckle says he had the best childhood ever.
“ My childhood afforded me cultural experiences I still learn from today,” he says.“ I was fortunate to have an eclectic friend group that aided in my deeply rooted appreciation of different walks of life and perspectives.”
From a young age, Hornbuckle dreamed of being a businessman.
“ I wanted to work in sports and entertainment,” he says.“ I wanted to be a mover and shaker in the world by being in the front office for a sports team or big company or be a sports agent,” he says.
While his career trajectory ultimately followed a different path, his work as a financial advisor keeps him close to that dream as he manages wealth for a few athletes. Hornbuckle credits his mother for instilling in him this entrepreneurial spirit.
“ Whether I am solving problems for my clients, my practice or the State of West Virginia, I have to be creative,” he says.“ I got that from my mom when she was the district manager for JCPenney. When I was in elementary school, she would let me help with orders for the youth department, which allowed me to hone my business, marketing and fashion acumen from an early age.”
Hornbuckle’ s first adolescent job was in a call center at Applied Card Systems, where he learned that every day is different. His first professional job was with Wells
Fargo but was short-lived due to a merger with Wachovia. Several mentors influenced Hornbuckle’ s journey. He says his cousin, Michael Hornbuckle, as well as Pat Hensley, Morgan Hood and Doug Reynolds, shaped his path through example, politics and wealth management.
In politics, challenges are inevitable, but Hornbuckle has found ways to overcome them.
“ I try to overcome political challenges by meeting those involved where they are while identifying commonalities to build upon,” he says.
Hornbuckle attributes his success to personal qualities that are relevant to both his professional and personal life. Trustworthiness, loyalty, genuineness, gregariousness and being down to earth are key drivers. His greatest success, though, is raising his son, Tristan.
Whether working in the Legislature or working with clients, Hornbuckle finds fulfillment in service.
“ As a financial advisor, I love working with different kinds of clients to figure out what is best for their respective situations,” he says.“ When it comes to politics, it’ s listening to someone’ s issues and having the wherewithal to help and do something about it.”
Hornbuckle says his motivation comes from a strong belief in progress and possibility.
“ Knowing we have so far to go in society but are so close to making a positive difference for everyone and that I have to inspire more good people to join this movement are what keep me motivated,” he says.
For more than 20 years, Hornbuckle has coached youth sports, from amateur athletic union basketball and youth soccer to Little League Baseball and flag football. He also supports the A. D. Lewis Community Center, J. W. Scott Community Center and Guyandotte Boys & Girls Club.
“ I like giving back to groups that tend to have large populations of underserved or less fortunate people,” Hornbuckle says.
Today, he serves on advisory boards for Cammack Children’ s Center, Fairfield U, Huntington Expression Prep and Marshall University’ s Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. He also coaches basketball at Huntington High School. In everything he does, Hornbuckle stays committed to the Mountain State.
“ I love West Virginia, and I want to be a main character in the comeback story,” he says. •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?
sport team:
Cowboys
midnight snack:
Honey Bun animal:
Lion
color:
Blue
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