Boston College Athletics
Eagles in the Pros: Tom Casey
June 21, 2013 | Baseball
June 21, 2013
The "Eagles in the Pros" series highlights former Boston College baseball players who have been successful in careers outside of baseball. Tom Casey ('89) is a portfolio manager at Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC. He joined the company in 1993 and has 19 years of industry experience. He earned his BA and MBA from Boston College.
Tell us a little bit how you got to be a portfolio manager at Standish Mellon?
I was lucky in that I had a strong desire to work in the field of finance from a relatively young age and it has exceeded my expectations. Although I was unsure of exactly what I would end up doing within the field, I was always drawn to the intellectual challenge, the excitement, the pace of work, and the feedback which can be short or long term depending on your objectives. I have been at my current firm for almost 20 years and over that timeframe I have worked as an analyst, trader and now as a portfolio manager. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with a number of talented, smart and focused colleagues who have taught me a great deal. Although I have worked very hard, I have been given tremendous opportunities by my firm and my timing has been fortuitous in many respects.
What lessons from playing baseball at BC helped you in your career and life?
As I look back on my life, it is amazing to me how important the lessons I learned playing sports in general and baseball at BC, in particular, have been both professionally and personally. In my opinion, it is undeniable that the lessons I have learned have been instrumental in my "success." Moreover, the importance of hard work, respect, determination, dedication, perseverance, character, teamwork, loyalty and the power of positive thinking cannot be overstated. All of these characteristics are helpful and in combination, they are really powerful. It is not surprising to see that many of the people whom I admire (including my parents) share these same characteristics and traits. However, playing baseball at BC reinforced the importance of these lessons which was a big advantage for me. Hopefully, they have become second nature and an important part of who I am.
How has having a MBA from Boston College served to better your career?
There is no doubt that having an MBA from Boston College has been extremely important to my career. From a practical perspective, the coursework provided an outstanding foundation in a number of disciplines which I utilize on a daily basis. Additionally and in a very literal sense, I would not be in my current position without the program as a former classmate in the program is responsible for my initial interview at the firm and I have been here for almost 20 years. I think about that frequently and without that introduction, my career and my life for that matter would likely be very different.
What is one of your favorite Boston College baseball memories?
It would really be impossible to pick just one but without a doubt my favorite memories are the friendships that I made while playing. I have a group of close friends who I can count on no matter what the circumstances. As time passes, our families and children have also been able to developed friendships and the bond that we share is remarkable. In terms of specific moments, memories such as my roommate Kevin Connelly being elected captain, my friend Mike Kopfler battling back from serious injuries to have a great career, and my friend Doug MacNeil being elected into the Hall of Fame are things that I will always remember. More recently, knowing all of the hard work that they have put into this program and watching the success of the players and coaches from Peter Hughes and Mik Aoki to Mike Gambino have been extremely rewarding.
Frank Faggino told us you are currently the president of the Diamond Club. What does it mean to you to stay connected to the program?
Staying connected to the program is extremely important to me. As my former coach Eddie Pellagrini was fond of saying, "you have to make it better for the next guy" and I hope that the Diamond Club has fulfilled that mission. The Club is comprised of former players who are committed to giving back to the program and improving the entire experience of playing baseball at BC for the current players (and coaching staff). Frank is a founder of the Diamond Club and he has done an amazing job making the club what it is today. His commitment to the school and the program is truly impressive. I feel a debt of gratitude towards the program due to the friendships I developed and the experiences I had while playing here. Being involved with the club is a small token of my appreciation and my way of "making it better for the next guy."
What advice would you give current BC students who are getting ready to start their first job?
There are probably three things I think each current student should focus on: 1) Enjoy your time at BC and avail yourself to every opportunity and experience the school (and community) has to offer 2) From an academic standpoint, set high goals for yourself and work as hard as you can to achieve them 3) It's never too early (or too late) to start developing a network of contacts who you can rely on. The BC community is a very loyal one and you will be amazed at how many people are willing to help you.
