By John Register
For Roberts & Ryan, a veteran-owned broker-dealer, honoring veterans isn’t confined to one day on the calendar. It’s embedded in their business model, shaping their mission to provide world-class financial services while giving back to those who have served.
Roberts & Ryan was founded by Dan Roberts, a U.S. Marine Vietnam War veteran in 1987 and recapitalized by Navy veterans Brian Rathjen and Ed D’Alessandro in 2018. Roberts & Ryan operates with a distinct purpose: to channel a percentage of every transaction toward veteran-focused organizations. Since 2018, the firm has donated over $2.4 million, supporting over 1,000 veterans and their families.
In my conversation with Ed D’Alessandro, CEO of Roberts & Ryan, we unpack the company’s evolution, the challenges of standing out in a competitive financial sector and the profound impact of their commitment to veterans.
BUILDING A FIRM WITH PURPOSE
John Register (JR): How has Roberts & Ryan’s mission evolved since its inception?
Ed D’Alessandro (ED): Brian Rathjen—my colleague, friend and fellow Navy veteran—had a vision when he founded this firm. He saw a shift happening in the broker-dealer space with firms traditionally engaging in debt and equity capital markets, secondary trading and other financial services. But around that time, the landscape expanded to include veteran and disabled veteran-owned broker-dealers. He recognized an opportunity to create a first-class firm that could compete at the highest levels while standing apart through its commitment to giving back. From day one, we committed to donating a percentage of every dollar earned to nonprofit organizations that support at risk veterans—those facing PTS, catastrophic injuries and challenges that come from serving in combat. Even in our first year—when we operated at a loss—we still made donations. That principle remains unchanged. As we grow, so does our ability to give.
JR: What makes this mission so critical?
ED: Many of our clients assume all veteran-owned firms contribute in the same way, but approaches vary. We made it our mission to prioritize at-risk veterans, ensuring that every partnership directly impacts this community. Supporting the at-risk veteran community isn’t something we do on the side—it’s woven into our DNA.
WHY GIVING BACK MATTERS
JR: Am I correct that about $1.8 million has been donated since 2018, benefiting more than 800 veterans and their families?
ED: Actually, it’s $2.4 million now—and over 1,000 veterans impacted. To ensure transparency, we produce a detailed impact report for our clients. It breaks down exactly where their partnership with us is making a difference. For example, our donations to The Children of Fallen Patriots have helped fund 29 scholarship years for young adults who have lost a parent in combat. We also work with the Robert Irvine Foundation, having provided funding for seven highly specialized iBOT wheelchairs to paralyzed veterans or those who have lost limbs. Each of these wheelchairs costs $35,000, but they offer life-changing independence.
JR: Does Roberts & Ryan do anything special for Memorial Day?
ED: Honestly, we don’t do anything different on Memorial Day because for us, this is something we do every single day. Beyond financial contributions, we also get hands-on with the organizations we support. We’ve worked with the Boulder Crest Foundation, which provides Post Traumatic Growth programs that provide combat vets with the tools to overcome the psychological scars of war. Our team has volunteered at their Virginia campus, helping with cleanup days and other initiatives. I’m also a member of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization. I haven’t deployed yet, but I was inspired by colleagues at Wells Fargo who provided relief after the North Carolina floods. That spirit of service runs deep in our company culture.
JR: Can you explain how a debt deal works and how the money ultimately supports veteran organizations?
ED: Take any one of our Fortune 500 clients as an example. When they issue debt to fund operations, their Treasury team contacts broker-dealers like us, inviting us as co-managers to their transactions. Our job is to sell their bonds to our network of investors. Once the deal closes, we receive fees, a percentage of which we then allocate to support veterans. After every deal, we will go to the company’s Veteran Employee Resource Group (ERG) and ask, “What veteran organizations do you support?” If they have a recommendation, we prioritize it. If not, we will research their corporate initiatives and geographical footprints and then direct funds accordingly.
BREAKING THROUGH IN A CROWDED MARKET
JR: What challenges does Roberts & Ryan face?
ED: The biggest hurdle is standing out in an increasingly crowded field. Right now, there are 34 women, minority and veteran-owned firms in our space. With increasing representation, more women, minority and veteran-owned firms are entering the space. While this broadens the landscape, it also makes it challenging for companies to evaluate all their options. They’re busy running their businesses and don’t always have time to evaluate 34 firms.
JR: Last question—what have I missed?
ED: The only thing I’d add is that while at-risk veterans remain our primary focus, we’ve also expanded to support other communities that are underserved. The Boys & Girls Club of Harlem was a key initiative led by my colleague Jason Hardzewicz. Last year, we provided two internships to students from the program. While the effort garnered great press elevating the BGCHarlem internship program, the true success was the intangible impact. These students hadn’t been exposed to opportunities in finance before, and they were incredibly grateful. But it wasn’t just them who benefited. Their fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and determination reminded us why mentorship matters and reinforced the importance of creating pathways for the next generation in our industry.
The more you give, the more you want to give. While veterans will always be at the heart of our mission, we also found that expanding our reach to other underserved communities strengthens our impact and deepens our commitment to service.
Roberts & Ryan puts their money where their mouth is. From hiring veterans to donating millions to life-changing programs, their commitment to service redefines what it means to be a veteran-owned firm. Their story reminds us that honoring service isn’t just about remembrance—it’s about action.
John Register, CSP, CPAE, is an award-winning Hall of Fame speaker. His Re³ Resilience Action Model guides leaders facing high-stakes transitions. Join his community at johnregister.beehiiv.com.
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