Morristown Vet Rings NYSE Closing Bell

The NYSE celebrated its second anniversary of its Veteran Associate Program by inviting veteran associate participants to ring the stock exchange's closing bell.

U.S. Army veteran Brandon Ashby of Morristown was one of 12 from the NYSE Veteran Associate class of 2013 that rang the closing bell on Friday at 4 p.m.

"Our goal is to help veterans successfully transition from the military and into the private sector," said Ed Hutner, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, NYSE Euronext.  "In turn, we learn from their diverse experiences and training.  We are proud to welcome our 2013 Veteran Associates to the NYSE Euronext community."

This year’s summer program included 28 military veterans in a 10-week session that provided U.S. military veterans with hands-on business experience.

Veteran Associate participants came from around the nation and were picked from many veteran organizations and schools, including Wall Street Warfighters' Foundation Financial and Trading Education Program, Four Block, the Military Student organizations of Columbia University, Fordham University and NYU, Per Scholas and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America .

"While veterans sometimes struggle to translate their military experience into marketable job skills, the skills they have developed to think strategically under pressure, lead teams in demanding environments, and apply technology to overcome challenges would make them a major asset to any organization I know," said Duncan L. Niederauer, Chief Executive Officer, NYSE Euronext. 

"Our Veteran Associate Program supports their transition from military life, builds on their unique skills and training and helps create job opportunities and career paths.  We encourage others in the corporate sector to join us in unlocking the potential of our military veterans."

Here’s a look at the military veterans comprising the NYSE Veteran Associate class of 2013 who rang the NYSE Closing Bell:

• Brandon Ashby, Morristown, NJ -  Army
• Damien Bertolo, Portland, OR-  Marines
• Grant Borgelt, Mill Valley, CA - Marines
• Lesseme Ducatel , Orlando, FL-Marines
• Ronald Michel, Washington DC - Navy
• Danielle Miklos, Stratford, CT - Army
• Thiry Ngin, Bronx, NY - Navy
• Ashley Parker-Roman, Annapolis, MD - Navy
• David Smith, Akron, OH - Marines
• Darrell Thompson, Brooklyn, NY - Air Force
• Sara Yarbrough, Brooklyn, NY - Army