From bottom to top, a leader

A wounded soldier's inspiring journey into the world of finance

The 2022 AFP Conference in Philadelphia, the annual 4-day gathering of North American financial professionals under the auspices of the namesake organization, offered a convention center full of innovations to an already robust and rollicking financial industry.

Roaming the meeting rooms and exhibit halls of this year’s event for Finextra Research, I was looking for particularly interesting companies with unique approaches, seeking sensible ideas and solutions with likely staying power in the competitive industry. Here's one I found, along with a particularly compelling story from one of its representatives.

Drexel Hamilton is the only 100% veteran-owned and operated investment bank, at least in the US. I first heard of this firm as part of Goldman Sachs’s presentation in an earlier AFP session, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) forum they hosted along with leaders from Dropbox and Loop Capital, during which Goldman identified Drexel Hamilton as one of the mammoth investment bank’s key diverse broker dealer partners.

Walking up to the company’s booth on the exhibit floor, and checking out the literature they had on display, I ran straight into a friendly bundle of energy, intelligence, and drive. Trevor Brunell, an Associate in Drexel Hamilton’s Capital Markets group, gave me a new appreciation for what this veteran-focused firm has dedicated itself to, and the advocacy and opportunity they provide to veterans of all stripes, especially the disabled among them.

Brunell described the journey he has personally taken into finance, while being mentored by company leaders and learning the investment banking business from the bottom-up. Describing the firm’s focus on hiring veterans from all branches of the service, he was bullish on the future – in fact as ebullient and enthusiastic about his mission to continue the firm’s impressive growth as he was determined to help others follow in his own steps.

Brunell’s energy and confidence gained even more meaning given the fact that the medically-retired ex-Army Ranger Staff Sergeant had been grievously injured during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Middle East. Earning a General’s field promotion to this rank after being wounded in a horrible firefight in 2016, the Purple Heart recipient also received several other military awards.

But what this dynamic, engaging young man seemed most interested to talk about with a small group who gathered for a chat at Drexel Hamilton’s booth was his determination and enthusiasm to pay forward his opportunities and learnings in finance to others.

I found out later, following some research, that before he embarked on his banking career (and ongoing college studies), Trevor had spent two years as an advocate for fellow wounded soldiers recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Thanks for your service to your country, Trevor, on this Veterans Day, and best wishes in your new role as a top leader - by any definition - for your fast-growing employer.