Britt Harris is a preeminent leader in global finance, recognized for managing over $200 billion in assets across the world’s most prestigious sovereign wealth funds and private firms. As the former President, CEO, and CIO of UTIMCO and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), Harris has redefined institutional asset management through his unique “Helicopter Era” macro philosophy. Beyond his tenure as CEO of Bridgewater Associates and his induction into the Hedge Fund Hall of Fame, Harris is a leading voice on servant leadership and the transition from professional success to personal significance. Through his Titans of Investing program, he has mentored the next generation of financial leaders, bridging the gap between technical market mastery and character-driven wisdom.
Career Trajectory & Influence
Britt’s career began far from the high-rises of Wall Street. He started at Texas Utilities, where he famously wrote his resume in pencil and spent time “in the ditches” with line crews to understand the business from the ground up. This appetite for being a “deep learner” propelled him through executive roles at GTE (Verizon) and AIM/Invesco. His reputation for integrity and performance eventually led him to the peak of the industry, managing massive portfolios while maintaining a “boots on the ground” perspective that earned him the nickname of a “Titan” on Texas’s own “Y’all Street.”
Moving from Success to Significance
A pivotal moment occurred in his mid-30s when he encountered Bob Buford’s Halftime. This sparked a radical transition from chasing “Success” (wealth and status) to pursuing “Significance” (wisdom and impact). This shift didn’t slow his career; it accelerated it. Whether leading Bridgewater Associates or returning to public service in Texas, Harris began managing sovereign wealth with a philosophy grounded in “speaking the truth with love,” proving that moral clarity is a competitive advantage in the volatile world of finance.
Navigating the “Helicopter Era”
Today, as the Founder & CEO of On Eagles Wings Advisors, Harris helps organizations navigate an increasingly complex, illiquid, and levered global market. He is also the visionary behind Titans of Investing, a collegiate residency program that has mentored over 1,000 students. The program is designed to cure “strategic learners” of their addiction to grades, instead teaching them the intrinsic value of relationships, macro-economic rigor, and the “5 Fs” of a balanced life.
Core Philosophy & Leadership Framework
- The 5 Fs Priority Matrix: Harris gates every major decision through five pillars: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Finance—strictly in that order.
- The Helicopter Era: He posits that the “Jet Era” (1980–2020) of effortless growth has ended, replaced by a “Helicopter Era” requiring active, precise, and hands-on navigation.
- The “Last 10%” Rule: A commitment to servant leadership that ensures 100% of a message—including the difficult “last 10%” of feedback—is delivered to foster genuine growth.
