About the Authors

The Shines family story spans four generations of the American Dream — from East Palo Alto and Oakland, California to executive positions at IBM, Arrow Electronics, and Ernst & Young.

Our family history is woven into the fabric of America itself. It encompasses the experience of slavery, service in the Revolutionary War, Creek Native American heritage, the Trail of Tears, contributions to the Apollo space missions, and Olympic-level athletic competition.

Frank "Rio" Shines served as an Air Force jet pilot before becoming an award-winning consultant at IBM and EY. With a BS from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA in Marketing Statistics, he brings a unique blend of military discipline, corporate strategy, and analytical rigor to the conversation about America's future.

Granison Shines carries forward the family legacy as a speaker and trainer, specializing in verbal and non-verbal communication confidence through Seduire International. Together, father and son offer a multigenerational perspective on how America can bridge the gap between technological disruption and human purpose.

Let In But Left Out is not just a book — it is a conversation across generations about where America has been, where it is going, and what we must not leave behind on the journey.