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Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Blog

Austin Peterson is on a Mission!

Austin Peterson, CFP, CLU, MBA isn’t just in his second year as member of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Brain Health Advisory Council; he’s on a mission to raise awareness of brain health through financial support throughout the state.

The Provo, Utah native is the founder of Backbone Financial in Scottsdale, helping build small and mid-size privately held businesses so they’re attractive to buyers. It’s the same brand of acumen that he hopes to use to help the Brain Injury Alliance set and attain impressive financial goals, even though the difficulties of fundraising during COVID-19.

“It’s important to me to support a cause I can stand behind. By helping raise funds, I can do my part to increase awareness of this incredible organization. So when Carrie asked me to be a board member, I immediately said yes.”

Austin Peterson is on a Mission!

Austin Peterson, CFP, CLU, MBA isn’t just in his second year as member of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Brain Health Advisory Council; he’s on a mission to raise awareness of brain health through financial support throughout the state.

The Provo, Utah native is the founder of Backbone Financial in Scottsdale, helping build small and mid-size privately held businesses so they’re attractive to buyers. It’s the same brand of acumen that he hopes to use to help the Brain Injury Alliance set and attain impressive financial goals, even though the difficulties of fundraising during COVID-19.

“It’s important to me to support a cause I can stand behind. By helping raise funds, I can do my part to increase awareness of this incredible organization. So when Carrie asked me to be a board member, I immediately said yes.”

Growing up in Utah, Austin was always active in sports, namely baseball, wrestling, skateboarding, and rollerblading. Although he never had a concussion or any other type of brain injury, he understands how vulnerable kids are.

After earning his BA in French from Cal State Fullerton, he received his MBA with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and sales from Brigham Young University. He and his wife Robin have been married for 22 years; they have a son, AJ (20), and daughter, Ella (17).

Austin’s involvement with the Brain Alliance is also a personal one. In 2002, he and Robin were at Disneyland when she felt something was off. That night, she slept for 16 hours, but still felt foggy. They visited the ER and she was diagnosed with vertigo and sent home.

The symptoms persisted, so they saw a neurologist. At first, they thought it was a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), but it turned out to be a dislodged blood clot caused by an excess of estrogen from birth control pills that had resulted in a full- blown stroke. Fortunately, she has maintained a healthy brain since that harrowing episode.

Roughly 10 years ago, Austin’s younger brother Cody was in a horrific car accident; due to the rollover, he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He has since recovered after an uphill battle.

And this past year, his 17-year-old daughter Ella had four concussions. A diver on her high school team, she has smacked her head on the water, snapping her head back on numerous occasions.

All of this exposure to brain injury has opened Austin’s eyes to the need for recognition of the programs and services offered by BIAAZ. “It’s important to me to support a cause I can stand behind. By helping raise funds, I can do my part to increase awareness of this incredible organization. So when Carrie asked me to be a board member, I immediately said yes.”

Brain Injury Alliance Executive Director Carrie Collins-Fadell is thrilled to have Austin as an integral member of the team. “With the fluid and everchanging landscape the last year has required nonprofits to operate in, we can use someone with Austin’s solid business and financial background to ensure we’re able to make our free services available to even more survivors of brain injury, their families and caregivers, and professionals. I’m grateful for his enthusiastic involvement.”

Austin’s podcast, Tycoons of Small Biz, targets financial planning issues facing small business owners, founders and CEO’s and can be heard live Tuesdays at 1:00pm on businessradiox.com.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona:

  • Works with Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
  • Houses Arizona Brain Health Resource Center
  • Hosts Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Workgroup
  • Has Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Response team with peer support, training, and family wraparound services
  • Facilitates Brain Health Advisory Council
  • Manages statewide Neuro Info-Line: 888-500-9165

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