A veteran-owned money management firm is launching and aiding some veteran advocacy platforms.
Greg Parsons, CEO and co-owner of Semper Capital Management LP, a New York-based manager with $1.2 billion in assets under management, is a former Marine officer with a passion for helping military veterans make the shift back into civilian life.
“Veterans' transitions is a multipronged area that we've decided to focus on,” Mr. Parsons said in a phone interview.
So Semper Capital, whose board is 40% veterans and whose ownership is 55% veterans, is partnering with such organizations as Mission America-Reconnecting Warriors and Civilians, and Hiring Our Heroes.
Mission America is a non-profit organization co-founded by Mr. Parsons that reconnects soldiers with the civilian community. Hiring Our Heroes is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find employment opportunities.
“One of our tactical objectives is to change the national conversation. There's a master narrative that veterans are somehow 'broken,'” Mr. Parsons said. “But the leadership and problem-solving qualities that servicemen and women can bring to the community is one of the most valuable untapped resources that we have.”
Initiatives that Semper Capital sponsors include Stay In Step, a non-profit spinal cord recovery center, and the Tampa Generals, a wheelchair rugby team made up of 50% wounded warriors and 50% civilians.
“Using sports to re-engage in society is a great bridge between the civilian world and the veterans' world,” Mr. Parsons said.
More information about Mission America and Hiring Our Heroes can be found on their websites.