David Dean Halbert's father says that from the time he was in high school, his oldest son always seemed to be thinking big:  "David Dean tells me, 'Dad, if you're going to do something, you may as well do something big because it doesn't take any more time than something smaller.  When a bank makes a loan, it doesn't take any more paperwork for $10 million than $20 million.  If you're going to spend your time on something, spend it on something worth your time."

Halbert, a 1978 Abilene Christian business graduate, has clearly followed his own advice.  He and his brother, Jon Halbert ('82), help direct AdvancePCS, the nation's leading health improvement company.  David Dean is chairman and CEO, and Jon is vice chairman.  A third ACU business graduate, Danny Phillips ('81), is executive vice president of corporate development.

AdvancePCS began in 1986 as Allied Home Pharmacy and now has 75 million customers and more than 6,000 employees, answers 1.5 million phone calls and fills 1.3 million prescriptions through the mail each month.  It has achieved 138 percent compounded annual revenue growth over the past 14 years and earned the No. 2 spot on Barron's 500 List of Best Performing Companies, which grades how well the largest companies and their management teams have performed for investors.

"I feel a stewardship responsibility to use my resources to the best of my ability. I really believe the Lord gives people gifts.  Nothing any of us have is the result of what we've earned.  It's all a gift from God," David Dean says.  "Christ taught that to those whom much has been given, much is expected.  I've learned to appreciate that teaching through the success I've experienced."

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