Written By: JR Robinson, The Broken CEO

In a world obsessed with overnight success and curated perfection, Dan Weddle’s story stands out because it is built on something far more durable: grit, grief, and the grind.

Weddle, the President and CEO of ProTech Services Group, recently sat down with JustMyMemphis for the #getAMPLIFIED podcast. The conversation wasn't just about technology; it was a raw look at his new book, Earned Wisdom, and the journey that took him from a narcotics officer to a leading Memphis CEO.

Here is why Dan Weddle is the leader—and the author—Memphis needs right now.

The Business of Reading People

Before he was navigating cloud solutions and cybersecurity, Weddle was navigating the streets. As a narcotics officer, he often dealt with people at their absolute worst—whether they were involved in illegal activity or simply having a bad day during a traffic stop.

That experience became his masterclass in business.

"You learn so much about people and how to respond to people," Weddle explained during the interview. "That really correlates into the business world... it was really about reading people."

Whether you are selling a product or an internal idea, success hinges on understanding the human agenda. Weddle notes that even in a high-tech industry dominated by AI and computing, the human element remains the most critical variable.

The Myth of Overnight Success

Weddle is the first to dismantle the "overnight success" narrative. His transition from the squad car to the C-suite wasn't magic; it was work. He took on roles as a K9 handler, a DARE officer, and a grant writer, while working side hustles in security consulting to support his family.

His advice to the next generation of leaders? Walk through the doors that open.

"I don't believe in luck," Weddle says. "I believe that when a door opens, God's opening that door for you, but you gotta walk through it... you just have to work hard."

"It’s Okay Not to Be Okay"

The emotional core of Earned Wisdom—and the podcast interview—is Weddle's vulnerability regarding the death of his son, Peyton, in a car accident.

For a long time, Weddle admitted he tried to tough it out. "I was that guy that thought, 'I'm too good for that... I'm going to stuff everything inside,'" he recalled. But he soon realized that resilience isn't about silence.

"Real men go and get help," Weddle stated powerfully. "If I can help other people, a kid, or an adult go get help as a result of my story, then it was worth it."

Through therapy, he learned that while you cannot erase the pain, you can acquire the tools to function and find joy again.

Employees First, Clients Second

Weddle’s philosophy on leadership is as distinct as his background. At ProTech, he flips the traditional script: he puts employees first, not clients.

"If I take good care of my employees, then they will do good for my clients," he explained.

He views leadership like a banking relationship—you have to make "deposits" in your people (benefits, culture, genuine care) before you can expect "withdrawals" in the form of hard work and loyalty. By sharing the burden of leadership rather than cocooning himself during a crisis, he fosters a culture where everyone feels part of the solution.

Turning Pain into Power

Weddle’s love for Memphis runs deep. He champions the city as the "most philanthropic city in the United States" and urges residents to stop being their own worst critics.

He walks the walk through the PEYitforward Foundation, created in honor of his son. The foundation funds a fully endowed scholarship at the University of Memphis and provides support and meals to families blindsided by sudden grief.

Get the Book

Dan Weddle’s Earned Wisdom is more than a memoir; it is a survival guide for anyone facing a market downturn, a personal tragedy, or a crisis of faith. As Dan says, "It’s a regular guy's story... about opportunities presented, negative things that happened, and how I dealt with that."

Watch the full interview above to hear Dan’s incredible story.

Earned Wisdom is available now on Amazon in paperback, hard copy, and Kindle.