LEXINGTON, Va., Jan. 30, 2026—

Ten members of the Cadet Investment Group (CIG) at Virginia Miliary Institute, along with advisor Maj. Steve Landgraf, assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Business (ECBU); and Capt. Zebulen Riley, instructor in ECBU, traveled to Wall Street in New York City (NYC) in December, to meet with financial analysts and traders, including VMI alumni who work in the industry.  

CIG is a student-led organization that is charged with making investment decisions with actual cash provided by an endowment established by an alumnus. Most members major in economics and business, but it is not a requirement. According to Landgraf, two different groups in CIG manage approximately $380,000 in total. “Group A invests in cyclical sectors, which are consumer discretionary, energy, industrials, technology, and materials. Group B invests in defensive sectors, which are health care, consumer staples, utilities, financials, real estate, and communication services. This annual trip to New York is another great example of how dedicated VMI alumni are to mentoring our cadets. CIG itself provides cadets the opportunity to put their education into practice every week, but the interaction with finance professionals in New York is an experience that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else,” he said.  

A tour of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was arranged for the CIG with assistance from Brian Tate ’90, executive managing director and head of Energy and Natural Resources Group at Regions Securities LLC; and Jim Sharp ’93, managing director at Regions Bank. Tate and Sharp flew up from Charlotte, North Carolina, to join the VMI contingent at NYSE for the day. 

Later, the CIG visited Bill Argiriou ’81, a commodities trader at RBC Capital Markets. The group met with Charlie Branch ’95, a wealth manager for Merrill Lynch, then proceeded to TM Capital, a middle-market investment bank founded by Gregory Robertson ’65. Robert Browning ’94 at AllianceBernstein, an asset management and investment advisory firm, also spent time with the group providing career advice. The day was capped off with a dinner in Midtown Manhattan hosted by the NYC VMI alumni chapter, presided by Paul Dickinson ’96.

Conner Reid ’27, cadet-in-charge of the CIG, is majoring in economics and business with a concentration in finance. He shared the trip was an incredible experience. “We visited several banks including TM Capital and Bank of America, and even had the opportunity to attend the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. The trip was especially impactful because we were able to connect with VMI alumni and professionals who have already walked the path many of us are about to embark on. Building those relationships and receiving guidance from people who have been so successful in their careers has been invaluable, and many of them have become true mentors throughout my journey. It reinforced how powerful it is to foster relationships and form bonds with people 10, 20, or even 40 years ahead of you, who can serve as mentors and role models in your career.”   

CIG meets weekly and reviews overall fund performance, discusses current events and their impact on the financial markets, then votes on portfolio additions or deletions, requiring a majority to execute a transaction, either buy or sell. 

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE