On October 22, 2026, the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University and J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking announced the formation of the 2027 CEOcircle cohort. This year’s group consists of over 65 veteran and military spouse business leaders who manage established companies across the United States.
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The participating companies in this cohort average $8.6 million in annual revenue and collectively employ more than 2,300 people. The industries represented include technology, government contracting, and manufacturing, highlighting the significant impact of veteran and military spouse-led businesses on the U.S. economy.
The 2027 cohort continues a partnership between J.P. Morgan Chase and the D'Aniello IVMF that has evolved over more than 15 years. The collaboration aims to support military-connected businesses through tailored programming. CEOcircle, initiated in 2021, is a yearlong peer accountability training program designed for mid-size veteran and military spouse executives focused on scaling their operations. Since its inception, over 250 leaders have participated in the program.
Alex McKindra, Managing Director in Global Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan, emphasized the importance of supporting these business leaders, stating that it is about creating opportunities and strengthening communities. McKindra highlighted how CEOcircle brings leaders together to learn and grow their businesses, contributing to job creation nationwide.
Ray Toenniessen, Executive Director of the D'Aniello IVMF, expressed pride in welcoming the new cohort, noting their roles in building successful companies and promoting economic growth. He stated that CEOcircle offers a supportive community, strategic connections, and essential business expertise to help entrepreneurs advance to their next stage of growth. This initiative builds on a long-standing partnership with J.P. Morgan focused on fostering opportunities for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.