Celebrating Our Commitment to Veterans

Nov 10, 2023

Our sponsorship of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular allowed the co-chairs of our Veterans Employee Network to both salute the military and demonstrate how we support those who have served.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which launched in 1974, made its name with stirring music, dazzling fireworks, booming cannons and nearly half a million spectators crowding the banks of the Charles River each year, all in celebration of the nation’s birthday. But the event also honors the men and women who, as military service members, have defended our country since its founding. 

 

Our Employee Network for Military Veterans 

Morgan Stanley values service members as well, including those veterans who work for the firm and whom we support through our Veterans Employee Network. It made sense, then, that after Morgan Stanley acquired long-time Boston Pops sponsor Eaton Vance in 2021, the firm took the baton, acting as the presenting sponsor of the concert for the first time in 2023. The co-chairs of our Veterans Employee Network, John Tyree and Jared Chaffee, acted as the firm’s representatives at the event. 

 

The Morgan Stanley Veterans Employee Network counts roughly 1200 members and serves as a resource for veteran employees, allies and their families, offering various training, networking and mentorship programs, as well as opportunities to give back. Says Chaffee, a former Navy submarine officer and Morgan Stanley’s Global Head of Crisis Management & Intelligence, “We serve as ambassadors to the military community as well as the veterans and military service members at Morgan Stanley.”  Adds Tyree, a former Army officer and a 28-year veteran of the firm who serves as Head of the Morgan Stanley Relationship Management Group, “It’s an effort to create an environment that recognizes and supports veterans who come to Morgan Stanley and to also help veterans find employment at the firm.”  

The Morgan Stanley Veterans Employee Network is an effort to create an environment that recognizes and supports veterans who come to Morgan Stanley and to help more of them find employment at the firm.

A Program for Recruits 

One recent example of that effort is Hiring Our Heroes, a fellowship aimed at recruiting top military talent. The initiative allows active-duty military members to work at the firm for a 12-week period. “They get a flavor of financial services and the team they are assigned to gets a taste of what skills veterans have to offer,” explains Chaffee. “We’ve been offering it since 2020, and it’s scaled from the original pilot of three fellows to 15 today.”

 

Tyree explains that the program represents just one element of what the network provides to service members, including those who wind up working for the firm. “It’s not always easy leaving the service,” he says. “You’re leaving what’s essentially a family for something brand-new and unfamiliar. The idea is to make people feel part of something in addition to being a part of the firm itself.” 

 

A Cause for Celebration

Tyree attended the Fireworks Spectacular this year in person, speaking on stage during the salute to service members, while Chaffee took part virtually in a video presentation that both promoted the event and helped spread the word about Morgan Stanley’s commitment to helping veterans transition to a life outside the military. “Morgan Stanley is a place that truly encourages them,” says Tyree.  “We were thrilled to participate. The event left us feeling good about the country, feeling good about the Boston Pops and feeling good about Morgan Stanley.” 

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