Waco Hoover is an entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience in venture capital, M&A, entertainment, media and live events.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1997-2001 as an infantry Marine, combat water survival instructor and infantry scout. He served several deployments across Southeast Asia.
After separation from the military, Hoover graduated from New York University, cum laude and completed Harvard Business School executive education programs. He then became an entrepreneur and investor who now has over 18 years of experience in venture capital, M&A, entertainment, media and live events.
He is currently Chair of the Be The One initiative for the American Legion. He is also a co-owner of Veteran Entertainment Television, advisor to Founders Factory, a London based venture capital firm, Managing Partner at Xperiential Group, and serves on the board of Irreverent Warriors, a non-profit preventing veteran suicide. He has advised global brands including MGM Resorts, Informa, Vivendi, and Las Vegas Sands Corp. He was a co-founder and investor in businesses sold to Informa, Emerald, Endeavor Business Media and Onstream Media.
Hoover speaks at industry events including VenuesNow, PTTOW!, CEMA, The American Legion, Military Influencer Conference, SXSW, Pollstar, TSE 100, Society for Independent Show Organizers, National Sports Forum and XLIVE.
He lives in Southern California with his wife, son and two yellow labs, Tucker and Winnie. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, diving, and mountaineering as often as possible. He is a member of The American Legion and recently hosted the Be the One Symposium at the 104th American Legion National Convention in Charlotte.
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Podcast Chapters:
00:00 The impact of VetTix events
06:52 Purpose-driven profitability and social impact
08:35 Importance of mission-based assessments
14:43 Landing an Internship in France
17:57 Addressing Veteran Suicide Rates
18:48 Launching MCON for military support
23:34 Building for Long-term Success
27:17 Reflecting on fatherhood and service
28:29 Reflecting on family and parenting
31:19 Discovering Stoicism and Key Books
35:36 Leadership advice and billboard location
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Quote to open episodes:
“Failure shows us the way – by showing us what isn’t the way.”
– Ryan Holiday from The Obstacle is the Way
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Mentioned in the episode:
Scott Huesing - Episode 127 appearance
Jason Galui - Episode 125 appearance
MCON
Vet Tix
IMPCT Group
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Waco's Resources:
Website: https://impctgroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waco-hoover-3928a014/
MCON: https://mcon.live/
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Podcast Summary:
Podcast Summary: Passing The Torch — Waco HooverThe conversation focused on the personal and professional journey of a United States Marine Corps veteran, now CEO and founder of IMPCT Group, and co-founder and partner of MCON. The episode explored key life transitions, organizational impact in the veteran community, and the importance of fostering meaningful connections.
Key Themes and Discussions
⬛ Family and Fatherhood
A key theme that emerged was the importance of family, particularly the joys and challenges of fatherhood. Experiences as a parent to two young boys were described as deeply fulfilling, emphasizing the value of being present for family and children’s formative years. The discussion explored how personal upbringing and a father’s military experience influenced approaches to parenting and personal growth 25:52–29:41.
⬛ Veteran Wellness and Social Connection
The discussion explored the results of a recent study conducted with Vet Tix, highlighting how event tickets for veterans (such as concerts or sports) are less about the event itself and more about fostering connections and a sense of belonging. Several points were raised, including the significant improvements measured: a 70% increase in wellness and 86% improvement in family bonds, demonstrating that social connection is a crucial driver of veteran wellness 02:52–04:21.
⬛ Purpose-Driven Impact and the Role of IMPCT Group
One concept discussed was the idea of “purpose-driven profitability” and how businesses can achieve both financial and social returns by embedding purpose into their core operations. The episode delved into how Impact Group works with organizations to create strategies that generate economic opportunities for the military community, aiming to unlock $1 billion in economic opportunity by 2035 06:52–08:34.
⬛ MCON: Creating Community and Celebrating Military Service
The conversation detailed the creation and growth of MCON, a large-scale event designed to celebrate military culture, facilitate healing, and combat isolation. The motivation for MCON stemmed from a perceived lack of large-scale, celebratory events within the military community similar to those in other industries. The festival’s goal is to both celebrate positive aspects of military service and provide resources and support for those in need 16:11–20:16.
⬛ Leadership and Personal Development Influences
The discussion explored the influence of books such as The Obstacle Is the Way and the Daily Dad newsletter by Ryan Holiday. These works informed perspectives on overcoming adversity, showing up for family, and the ongoing question of personal development: “Who are you becoming?” 25:24–33:13.
⬛ Community, Collaboration, and Legacy
Several points were raised regarding the need for greater collaboration and efficiency among organizations serving the veteran community, especially as funding becomes scarcer. The conversation closed with reflections on legacy, leadership advice (“take an interest in others”), and the ongoing goal to connect with other mission-driven leaders 36:33.
Overall, the episode offered both practical insights and reflections on leadership, family, the veteran experience, and the power of collective action to foster thriving, resilient communities.
Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin
More Amazing Stories:
Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You Insecure
Episode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way
Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel
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