Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.
Influenced by the passion for service instilled in his family lineage, Jones enlisted in the United States Army after high school, in part as a promise to his ailing father to support the family. Jones had grown up in a military family and hoped to make the Army his career. He joined as an infantryman and achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an Airborne Ranger. Jones considers graduating from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School his high point, a testament to his perseverance and hard work since an injury near the end forced him to be recycled back to the beginning of the 61-day course. For four years, he served with both the 75th Ranger Regiment and 10th Mountain Division as a squad leader. Unfortunately, a parachute malfunction during an airborne assault training exercise drastically altered his career plans.
After taking an occupational test while convalescing from severe fractures to his legs and back, the potential of becoming an accountant renewed Jones’ sense of drive. With the mentorship of Professor Horace Landry, head of the accounting program and a WWII Navy veteran, Jones was accepted to Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He graduated in 1992 summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. But Ranger Jones wasn’t finished. He drove on, earning his law degree and master’s in accounting from Syracuse University in 1995 as well as a Master of Laws from Boston University. Jones was admitted to the Order of the Barristers, a U.S. National Honor Society through law school oral advocacy programs, for excelling in his academia, advocacy, and service to Syracuse.
By 2005, Jones had spent over 10 years as a certified public account and tax lawyer with Ernst & Young, working in its department of media and entertainment transaction advisory services. In addition, Jones served as a law clerk for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the chambers of the Honorable Judge John P. Balio. 2005 was marked by several important positions for Jones served as vice president, senior tax counsel, and assistant treasurer for General Electric (NBC Universal), where his responsibilities included all domestic and international tax planning, structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NY Society of CPAs, Jones has served, and continues to, on the Corporate and Partnership Taxation Committees. He is a member of the American Bar Association, NY State Bar Association, and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants. A frequent and noted lecturer, Jones has become a faculty member of the Practicing Law Institute.
Currently, Richard M. Jones serves as the Executive Vice President, general tax counsel, and chief veteran officer for CBS Corporation, responsible for oversight on global tax planning, strategy, operations, litigation and legislative matters—in addition to CBS’s veteran-related initiatives. Jones tries to ensure the sacrifices of veterans and their families are never left unnoticed and recognized by promoting wellbeing through these programs and benefits. Jones works closely with several veteran organizations and is a life member of both the American Legion and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). He also serves on the congressionally mandated federal Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO) for the U.S. Department of Labor.
Jones’ devotion to our nation’s veterans is beyond reproach. He sits on boards for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, the Uniformed Services Justice and Advocacy Group, the Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Community Services, the Aaron Grider Foundation, the Warrior Family Foundation, and Honor Vet, among others. Jones is clearly an important voice and advocate of our transitioning veterans, as he said, “Each one of us has the power to make a huge difference. At the end of the day, it is the small cadre of committed veteran advocates who have, and always will, make the greatest impact in the lives of our transitioning service members and their families.”
Notably, Richard M. Jones was Syracuse University’s 2014 Arents Award recipient for his excellence in financial law and avocational pursuits in veterans affairs.
Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.
Dave Gaulin (A&S 2002, MSSc, 2007) served on active duty for 13 years, flying the C-17 Globemaster III. He is now a Major and pilot in the Air National Guard and works in the telecommunications industry. Follow him @davegaulin 
Steve Medeiros is a 2002 Graduate of the MSSc Program and served 28 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel in 2013. Steve served in a variety of operational and staff assignments and his final assignment was the Commander, Marine Depot Maintenance Command (Albany, GA/Barstow, CA). He is currently the Lead Logistics Engineer for Wyle Laboratories in Stafford, VA.
“Veterans bring a distinct character and a set of experiences and credentials that they need to know that they bring because it’s a difficult transition from the military to civilian life. So, if they are able to say that here’s the characteristics, values, experiences, and leadership that I bring to the organization then there’s value no matter what.” – Larry Iwanski, Executive Director, EY.
“The value veterans bring to a job in a non-military organization is based on skills and experiences that aren’t taught anywhere else. It’s absorbed during their time in the military. That should always be remembered.” – James Noonan, Program Manager, IBM.
Jack Milton is an alumnus of Syracuse University and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.
Under Milton’s leadership, his business experienced incredible growth and expansion. In 1982, he purchased the Maine Caterpillar Dealership, and later merged with the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York Caterpillar territories in 1991. The company was renamed Milton CAT in 2004 with the procurement of the upstate New York Dealership, Syracuse Supply Company. By this time, Milton CAT stretched across the northeast, spanning from logging camps in Maine to underground salt mines and solid waste landfills in NY. Milton CAT also contributes to powering the region’s hospitals, backing up data centers, propelling workboats, and powering school buses and highway trucks. Today, Milton’s company covers six states, 15 locations, and is one of the top performing dealerships worldwide.
On his first domestic trip since taking office, Secretary Carter visited 
Colonel Erik K. Rundquist is Chief of Security Forces, Headquarters, Air Combat Command. In this position, he is responsible for security, law enforcement, antiterrorism, force protection and integrated defense across the Major Command. Colonel Rundquist was born at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri and received a regular commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1991. He has served in various duty positions to include group commander, squadron commander, MAJCOM division chief, joint staff officer, operations officer, and ground combat instructor. He has deployed on several contingencies to include supporting the United Nations Protection Force in the Balkans, Operations ALLIED FORCE and SHINING HOPE in Albania and Kosovo, DETERMINED RESPONSE (USS Cole) in Yemen, ENDURING FREEDOM in Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, and IRAQI FREEDOM where he conducted an operational combat jump into Bashur, Iraq with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He commanded security forces at Tallil, Iraq, was the J7 for the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Command at Balad, Iraq, and commanded the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group and Joint Task Force 1/455 at Bagram and Parwan Province, Afghanistan.
