Syracuse University names Ray Toenniessen to lead D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Syracuse University has appointed Ray Toenniessen as executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, a move impacting CNY’s veteran and business communities.
Ray Toenniessen, a U.S. Army veteran and 2006 Syracuse University graduate, will take over as executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), according to Syracuse University News. Toenniessen has played a key role in the Institute’s growth since its founding in 2011, serving as deputy executive director and helping shape its programs and partnerships.
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Toenniessen steps into the role previously held by J. Michael Haynie, who founded the IVMF and now serves as Syracuse University’s 13th chancellor and president. The Institute, located on the Syracuse University campus near the I-81 corridor and Irving Avenue, has become a national leader in veteran entrepreneurship, employment, and community-based services.
By The Numbers
- 235,000: Service members, veterans, and military family members served by the D’Aniello Institute since 2011, per Syracuse University News.
- 2011: Year the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families was founded, according to Syracuse University News.
- 15: Years Ray Toenniessen has held leadership roles at the Institute, per Syracuse University News.
What’s new for Central New York
Toenniessen’s appointment brings continuity to the D’Aniello Institute, which has become a fixture in Syracuse’s business and veteran support landscape. The Institute’s programs reach beyond the university, connecting with veterans and their families across Central New York, including towns like DeWitt, Salina, and Liverpool.
The Institute’s focus on entrepreneurship and employment has made it a resource for those transitioning from military service to business ownership or civilian careers. This mission lines up with economic development priorities in Syracuse and nearby communities, especially as new projects and employers arrive in Onondaga County.
Toenniessen will oversee a global portfolio of programs, research, partnerships, and policy initiatives, according to Syracuse University News. He will also continue as vice president for strategic initiatives, working closely with Chancellor Haynie to advance university-wide priorities. This dual role puts Toenniessen at the intersection of campus leadership and national veteran advocacy, with direct implications for local economic and workforce development.
The Institute’s reach includes partnerships with local employers, government agencies, and nonprofits. These relationships have brought resources and attention to Syracuse’s role as a leader in veteran support and economic opportunity. The Institute’s presence on campus, just a few blocks from the JMA Wireless Dome and the city’s downtown, keeps it connected to both university life and the broader Syracuse community.
Why this matters for CNY residents
For Central New York, the D’Aniello Institute’s work goes beyond the university. Its programs have helped veterans launch businesses, find jobs, and access community services throughout Onondaga County and beyond. The Institute’s partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit organizations have brought resources and attention to Syracuse’s role as a leader in veteran support and economic opportunity.
With the I-81 project scheduled to reshape downtown Syracuse and new investments like Micron’s planned chip plant in Clay, workforce development and veteran employment are top priorities for Central New York. The Institute’s continued growth under Toenniessen’s leadership could mean expanded opportunities for local veterans and their families, as well as new connections between the university and the business community.
Veterans in places like Eastwood, Solvay, and out in Baldwinsville have already benefited from the Institute’s programs. The Institute’s entrepreneurship bootcamps and career training workshops have drawn participants from across the county, including those looking to start businesses on North Salina Street or transition into jobs at local manufacturers and tech firms.
The Institute has also worked with local school districts and community colleges, helping veterans and military family members access higher education and job training. These efforts support the broader economic development goals of Syracuse and surrounding towns, especially as Central New York prepares for new employers and infrastructure projects.
For more on how local schools and universities are shaping the future of Central New York, visit our Syracuse schools coverage.
Context: A decade of growth and impact
The D’Aniello Institute was founded in 2011 as a new initiative at Syracuse University, with Toenniessen joining as one of its early leaders. Over the past 15 years, he has held roles spanning program development, external relations, fundraising, and institutional strategy. The Institute’s reach now includes career preparation, entrepreneurship, community-based services, applied research, and higher education, according to Syracuse University News.
Toenniessen’s own connection to Syracuse began as a student and Army ROTC cadet. After serving four years on active duty, including a yearlong deployment to Iraq, he returned to Syracuse in 2010 to help lead veteran entrepreneurship programs at the Whitman School of Management. He worked alongside Haynie to expand opportunities for veterans pursuing business ownership, laying the groundwork for the Institute’s national reputation.
Since its founding, the Institute has served more than 235,000 service members, veterans, and military family members. Its programs have become a model for other universities and communities seeking to support veterans in business and beyond. The Institute’s presence on the Syracuse University campus, just blocks from the JMA Wireless Dome and the city’s downtown core, has made it a visible part of the city’s economic and civic life.
The Institute’s impact can be seen in the number of veteran-owned businesses that have opened in Central New York since 2011. From coffee shops on Westcott Street to tech startups in the Syracuse Tech Garden, graduates of IVMF programs have contributed to the local economy and created jobs for other residents. The Institute’s research on veteran employment and entrepreneurship has also informed local policy discussions, including efforts to attract new employers and support small business growth.
Looking ahead: Opportunities for business and veterans
Toenniessen’s appointment comes as the needs of veterans and military families continue to evolve. The Institute’s focus on entrepreneurship and employment is especially relevant as Central New York attracts new business investment and works to build a skilled workforce. The Institute’s partnerships with local employers, government agencies, and nonprofits are likely to deepen as Syracuse and its suburbs prepare for economic changes tied to major projects like the I-81 reconstruction and Micron’s expansion.
For local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, the Institute’s programs offer resources and support that can help veterans transition to civilian careers or launch new ventures. The Institute’s research and policy work also informs local and national conversations about veteran employment, education, and community engagement.
Toenniessen’s leadership could mean more collaboration with local chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and city officials. As Syracuse works to fill thousands of new jobs expected from Micron and other employers, the Institute’s training and placement programs may play a bigger role in connecting veterans to these opportunities.
For ongoing updates on business openings and economic development in Syracuse and Central New York, check our local business news page.
Where to check for updates
For more information about the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and its programs, visit the official IVMF website. For the latest on Syracuse University leadership and campus initiatives, see Syracuse University News.
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Sources
- Syracuse University News, Ray Toenniessen Named Executive Director of D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
