Andrew Byer
Graduate Degree & Year: MPA 1994
Job Title & Organization:
Vice President, Legal & Compliance, BlackRock, Inc.
Why I Do What I Do:
Financial institutions ultimately have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients and all participants in the financial economy, from individuals to institutions. I believe that my role is to partner with our business and its regulators to ensure that we carry out this responsibility on a daily basis.
Favorite Glenn School Class and/or Professor:
Dr. Sven Lundstedt (deceased) and Dr. Bob Backoff (Public Policy Implementation)
Last Good Book Read: “Too Big To Fail” by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Last Good Movie Seen: “The Smartest Guys In The Room”
Hobby: Musician
Latest Personal or Professional Accomplishment:
FINRA Municipal Securities Principal
Favorite Quote:
“Say little, do much and receive everyone with a cheerful face.” - Pirkei Avos
What was your motivation for attending the Glenn School?
I was interested in beginning a career in government after working as a volunteer on an election campaign. I believed the school would help develop the skills and knowledge base needed for a public sector career path.
What is your favorite Glenn School memory?
After finishing my policy paper, I had lunch with the late Congressman Chalmers Wylie, who had co-advised me on my project as an adjunct professor. He was very helpful and encouraging and he really enjoyed helping people get their start.
Briefly describe your career path and how you ended up with the job you currently have?
After I had begun the MPA program, I was working with a local financial institution. Over a period if time, I became very interested in the changing regulatory aspects of the industry as it branched out into multiple lines of business, so I combined my work experience in the private sector with my MPA studies to enhance my educational experience and help establish a career path. I stayed in the financial services industry after graduation, serving in a variety of operational roles until finding the right fit in the legal and compliance field. I was able to apply my knowledge of public policy, regulation and agency rulemaking with my business affiliation.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to current and future Glenn School students?
Find a mentor who can help advise you on the right courses to take and develop your work experience. Use that person to help build your network and be a reference for you. What is the most valuable thing you took away from your Glenn School experience? What I found most valuable about the MPA program was gaining insight and depth of knowledge regarding the mechanics of research, economics, decision making and organizational behavior that factor into policy formulation. Using this experience as a foundation, I found I was better prepared to assess and adjust to constantly changing work objectives, management styles and organizational environments.
What would your Glenn School classmates be most surprised to know about you now?
I think those who were already seasoned professionals in public sector management would be curious about how I applied what we learned to a successful career in the private (for-profit) sector.
Click here to contact Andrew Byer
Job Title & Organization:
Vice President, Legal & Compliance, BlackRock, Inc.
Why I Do What I Do:
Financial institutions ultimately have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients and all participants in the financial economy, from individuals to institutions. I believe that my role is to partner with our business and its regulators to ensure that we carry out this responsibility on a daily basis.
Favorite Glenn School Class and/or Professor:
Dr. Sven Lundstedt (deceased) and Dr. Bob Backoff (Public Policy Implementation)
Last Good Book Read: “Too Big To Fail” by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Last Good Movie Seen: “The Smartest Guys In The Room”
Hobby: Musician
Latest Personal or Professional Accomplishment:
FINRA Municipal Securities Principal
Favorite Quote:
“Say little, do much and receive everyone with a cheerful face.” - Pirkei Avos
What was your motivation for attending the Glenn School?
I was interested in beginning a career in government after working as a volunteer on an election campaign. I believed the school would help develop the skills and knowledge base needed for a public sector career path.
What is your favorite Glenn School memory?
After finishing my policy paper, I had lunch with the late Congressman Chalmers Wylie, who had co-advised me on my project as an adjunct professor. He was very helpful and encouraging and he really enjoyed helping people get their start.
Briefly describe your career path and how you ended up with the job you currently have?
After I had begun the MPA program, I was working with a local financial institution. Over a period if time, I became very interested in the changing regulatory aspects of the industry as it branched out into multiple lines of business, so I combined my work experience in the private sector with my MPA studies to enhance my educational experience and help establish a career path. I stayed in the financial services industry after graduation, serving in a variety of operational roles until finding the right fit in the legal and compliance field. I was able to apply my knowledge of public policy, regulation and agency rulemaking with my business affiliation.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to current and future Glenn School students?
Find a mentor who can help advise you on the right courses to take and develop your work experience. Use that person to help build your network and be a reference for you. What is the most valuable thing you took away from your Glenn School experience? What I found most valuable about the MPA program was gaining insight and depth of knowledge regarding the mechanics of research, economics, decision making and organizational behavior that factor into policy formulation. Using this experience as a foundation, I found I was better prepared to assess and adjust to constantly changing work objectives, management styles and organizational environments.
What would your Glenn School classmates be most surprised to know about you now?
I think those who were already seasoned professionals in public sector management would be curious about how I applied what we learned to a successful career in the private (for-profit) sector.
Click here to contact Andrew Byer
