Paul Marcato: Proud U.S. Army Veteran

Joining the United States Army was an easy decision for Paul Marcato, Managing Director, Treasury Solutions. "I have always been interested in serving in the military and for my country. My parents used to say they always knew that’s why I would do."

He saw active duty from 2002 to 2010, serving in Alabama, South Korea, Texas, and Iraq. From 2010-2012, he served with the New York Army National Guard. "I was deployed three times but my deployment to Iraq during the surge in 2006-2007 was the most intense and challenging. We went from heavy combat at the beginning of the tour to long periods of peace at the end."

His military service was the gateway to his eventual career in finance, by taking advantage of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill's education funding. He attended New York University's Stern School of Business, where he obtained his MBA. It also provided him with a leadership model. " I was lucky enough to have some great leaders while in the military and some I still quote to this day. Good and bad leaders teach you a lot of how to act and manage. The biggest challenge, but also the most rewarding thing I did in the Army, was leading soldiers. I was lucky enough to command two companies, both while deployed. Leading soldiers in those difficult situations was an experience I will never forget."

He notes, "The military challenges you in ways that you cannot come out unchanged. It pushes you so that you can learn about your limits and the limits of others." It also had a somewhat unexpected but useful impact on how he conducts himself in business. " In the military, brevity and straight forwardness is encouraged in email communications. I had to learn to communicate in a way that didn't make people think I was always angry with them."

Marcato is involved in the employee resource group TDS Salutes and also volunteers with other veterans' groups and organizations. With Veterans Day and Remembrance Day having just passed, he appreciated the opportunity to remember and honor his former military colleagues. "Veterans appreciate the phrase, "Thank you for their service," but it isn't always easy for us to respond because in the military, it's always about the group, not the individual."

For young people considering military service he has this advice. "Talk to veterans and people currently serving about why you want to serve and what you are looking to do. The military has a lot of opportunities and ways you can serve so it's important to try to find the one that is best for you."

He concludes by reflecting on his time in the military and encourages TDS colleagues who served to join TDS Salutes. "The Army gave me a great foundation to build on and a habit of always continuing to try to grow and learn. Please reach out as we have a lot of great opportunities to help and recognize veterans."