DeAndre “Andre” P. Sears grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, an only child with a love for sports. Football and track taught him discipline and resilience, lessons he carried into every part of his life. After earning an AA in Psychology from San Diego Mesa College—where he served as offensive team captain—he transferred to Boise State University to continue his football career and complete his BA in Psychology. Injuries sidelined him, but they also shaped his mindset: adapt, learn, and keep moving forward.
Andre’s career began in banking, where he quickly discovered his gift for building trust and forging connections. Roles at Sun West Community Bank and a regional investment firm gave him a strong foundation in finance and relationship management. In 2014, he became Vice President of Business Development at Nevada’s largest trust company, helping grow assets under administration to nearly $5 billion. His leadership style was rooted in honesty, transparency, and a belief that the right relationships are worth more than any single transaction.
Since 2022, Andre has served as Business Development Officer at Peak Trust Company, working with clients and partners across all 50 states. He’s led expansion into new markets, built nationwide referral networks, and represented the company at major conferences.
Outside the office, Andre is an active community volunteer, supporting the Southern Nevada Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, and youth sports. He’s also a golf enthusiast, traveller, and dedicated family man, living by the same values in life that have defined his career: integrity, commitment, and service.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Andre starts his day early, often with a workout to sharpen his focus. Mornings are reserved for strategic work—reviewing market opportunities, connecting with referral partners, and preparing for meetings. Afternoons are for relationship-building calls, client discussions, and collaborative sessions with colleagues. He avoids over-scheduling, leaving space to respond to new opportunities.
How do you bring ideas to life?
He believes in testing small before scaling. For example, when building a nationwide referral network, he started with a pilot group of trusted advisers. Feedback shaped the broader strategy.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The blending of traditional fiduciary services with digital collaboration tools. It allows trust companies to maintain personal relationships while working more efficiently across states and even countries.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Daily reflection. Andre spends 10 minutes at the end of each day reviewing wins, challenges, and what needs follow-up.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“Don’t see setbacks as failures—see them as training.”
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That turning down a deal can be the smartest growth move you make.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Follow up promptly—within 24 hours—no matter how small the conversation.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
He takes a walk—often at a golf course—using the rhythm of movement to clear his mind.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Leveraging conferences as both learning and networking events. He approaches them with a plan: specific people to meet, and post-event follow-up to cement relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, Andre lost a major client because he was upfront about service limitations. While it cost him in the short term, that same client returned a year later with even more business—teaching him that integrity has compound returns.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A platform connecting small fiduciary firms with vetted, on-demand specialists in niche areas like multi-jurisdictional tax.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
CRM tools. He uses them not just to track contacts but to log personal details that help deepen relationships over time.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek, for its emphasis on building businesses that endure beyond short-term wins.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Full Swing on Netflix. The behind-the-scenes look at professional golf resonated with his love of the sport and the mental discipline it requires.
Key learnings
- Building trust sometimes means turning down short-term wins to protect long-term relationships.
- Conferences are most valuable when approached with a specific networking and follow-up plan.
- Small pilot projects allow for testing ideas before committing full resources.
- Daily reflection supports consistent productivity and focus.
- Physical movement, such as walking or sports, can help reset the mind during high-pressure days.