Syracuse Sun

J. Michael Haynie, the vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation at Syracuse University, has announced the appointment of Ray Toenniessen to the new position of Deputy Executive Director at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). Currently serving as the vice president for strategic initiatives and innovation, Toenniessen will now oversee operations at IVMF, which supports over 22,000 servicemembers, veterans, and families annually.

Haynie expressed confidence in Toenniessen's capabilities: “Ray has been with the IVMF since its inception. For more than a decade, he’s played a central role in almost every facet of the IVMF’s strategy, programming and growth,” he said. “There is no one more committed to our mission or more qualified to drive future growth and innovation than Ray Toenniessen.”

Toenniessen will manage efforts involving more than 100 employees both on campus and within military communities across the United States. He remarked on his new role by stating: “I am honored to assume this new responsibility, and greatly appreciate the trust Vice Chancellor Haynie has in me to lead the IVMF into the future.” He emphasized past accomplishments while acknowledging ongoing challenges: “As a team we have accomplished a great deal over the last thirteen years... That said, there is much more to do."

Vice Chancellor Haynie will maintain his role as Executive Director while Toenniessen collaborates closely with Maureen Casey, Chief Operating Officer of IVMF, and Barb Carson, Managing Director of Programs and Services.

Toenniessen graduated from Syracuse University in 2006 with an international relations degree from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He served four years active duty including a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After leaving active duty in 2010, he returned to Syracuse University as National Program Manager for Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans.

In 2011, Toenniessen helped launch D’Aniello Institute alongside Vice Chancellor Haynie initially serving as director of programs and operations. His tenure as Vice President saw numerous innovative programs initiated through partnerships impacting over 210,000 service members since 2011.