GREAT TEAMS START WITH GREAT PEOPLE.

Meet Sam Mosser.

What is your role at MorganFranklin, and what do you do?

I am a manager within our Strategy & Transformation practice. I moved from industry to consulting a few years ago with the ambition to advise clients on corporate strategies, manage programs, and align corporations with their goals. My responsibilities have been focused on corporate mergers and divestitures, working with clients on complex problem solving, driving decision making, planning and executing project timelines, and reporting and walking through strategic updates with client leadership.

Please tell us about your professional background and what led you to pursue a career at MorganFranklin.

I served four years in the United States Marine Corps, including most of 2011 in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. After the Marines, I attended Penn State University and graduated with a B.S. in accounting in 2014. Post grad, I spent over five years at Goldman Sachs managing investment portfolios for institutions, endowments, family offices, and ultra-high net worth individuals and then spent two years at Deloitte, consulting with investment management firms, and broker/dealers. I wound up at MorganFranklin because COVID presented an opportunity for me to leave New York City for the DC area. I had wanted a role that was focused more on strategy and not focused in a particular industry. Knowing my ambitions, preferred environment, and potential for expedited career advancement, I felt that MorganFranklin just seemed to fit. My senses were accurate, as this has been the most exciting and rewarding year of my corporate career.

What has been your favorite MorganFranklin project, and why?

I have been on my current project since the beginning of last year. I have an incredible team, and the work has been fun and rewarding since the onset. I initially assisted a senior leader of MorganFranklin to sell and stand up a legal entity consolidation for one of the world’s largest financial services companies. Standing up a large project requires a wide spectrum of considerations and perspectives to include answering difficult cross-functional questions, defining the objectives, and projecting a budget and timeline. This required in-depth discussions on defining the end state, how do we get there, how do we scale it, what objectives and timing do we need to meet. As part of the project, we were able to work alongside our parent company, Vaco Holdings, to bring in resources to meet the level of effort the project required.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to pursue a career at MorganFranklin?

My advice is to be open, genuine, and eager to learn and to ask questions and take on responsibilities. Network and get involved (especially in the COVID environment). This is a wonderful company with so many intelligent and supportive people who can educate and guide your career. It’s always helpful if everyone knows who you are, as well as your background and interests, so they can align projects and initiatives to them.

How would you describe MorganFranklin’s culture? What makes our firm so unique in this aspect?

I think there are a lot of similarities between a military unit or a sports team and MorganFranklin. They are laid out in our guiding principles but also embodied every day. We “play for each other” by encouraging members to bring their personalities and perspectives, to own the outcome, and to inspire excellence both personally and professionally. We have a unique entrepreneurial spirit that exists across all levels, and everyone actively gets involved with business development efforts and firm initiatives. For example, wanting to create the Veterans Affinity Group, I came to different leaders with a plan and was met with involvement and guidance while allowed to execute my plan. I would say we are less a culture that waits for someone to give orders or volunteer people.

You’re an avid golfer and even played on the Marines golf team and now play in many amateur events. What are some parallels between your role at MorganFranklin and golf?

I think there are a lot of similarities between golf and life in general. Golf teaches you to rely on yourself, to be honest, and to handle yourself in various situations. These are necessary traits to make a great consultant. I think where golf aids me, and something I was too stubborn to believe for a while, is that you can control the input and your reaction to the output, but you can’t control the output.

Bonus Question – favorite course?

Kiawah Island, Ocean Course or Plainfield Country Club (my old country club).

It’s a perfect Saturday, you’re playing on Kiawah Island, and you can pick any foursome. Who would they be?

If they are required to be living and golfers: My dad, Tiger Woods, and Mark Wahlberg.

Having served in the Marine Corps, what do you appreciate the most about your experience?

Joining the Marine Corps was the best decision I’ve made in my life. I can easily argue that it changed the direction my life was headed. It’s something that partially defines me and my value system, and it’s a title I’ll hold for the remainder of my life. I gained an extraordinary perspective into how others see the world, having served with people from across the country as well as non-U.S. military while serving in Afghanistan. The Marines instill a degree of self-confidence, grit, discipline, ambition, and physical and mental strength. The family and pride that comes from being a Marine is irreplaceable and founded in the belief of a common goal, along with the willingness to give your all for the brother or sister next to you in pursuit of that goal.

As a leader of our veterans’ initiatives, how can others get involved in giving back to the military community?

I think the best way to get involved is with your local community in honor of someone who has made an impact, such as raising funds for the local VFW, American Legion, or AMVETs. At MorganFranklin, we have decided to work with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Fisher House, and American Corporate Partners.