Early Life
Vincent Viola was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956, to an Italian-American family. His father, an immigrant from Italy, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, which instilled a strong sense of service in Viola. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played on the sprint football team and served as a cadet company commander.
Rise to Success
Viola's career began as a trader at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in 1982. He became instrumental in building the NYMEX and served as its chairman from 2001 to 2004. Viola founded several successful firms, including Pioneer Futures. However, his primary wealth source is Virtu Financial, an electronic trading firm he founded in 2008. The company went public in 2015, and Viola continues to serve as Executive Chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Viola's success stems from his ability to identify opportunities in electronic trading and leverage technology to gain a competitive edge. His strategic vision transformed Virtu Financial into a leading market maker, revolutionizing the trading industry. His leadership at NYMEX helped the exchange transition into a publicly traded company, enhancing its global influence in the energy markets.
Philanthropy
Viola is actively involved in philanthropy. After the September 11 attacks, he founded the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. He also supports military families and educational institutions through his foundation, including a $2 million donation to West Point's Combating Terrorism Center. He has also endowed the Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. Chair in Catholic Theology at Fordham University.
