Baruch Alumnus Named New Jersey Veteran of the Year

Baruch Alumnus Named New Jersey Veteran of the Year

October 22, 2025

Distinguished Baruch College alumnus, Alexis Cabezas (BBA, Operations Management '01), has been honored by Military Friendly as the 2025 New Jersey Veteran of the Year, becoming the institution's first graduate to win this award.

The national organization bestows this prestigious award annually in every state recognizing outstanding veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities and industries embodying the values of service, leadership, and innovation.

Desire to Serve His Country

Cabezas became a Marine because he wanted to "serve something larger than himself."

"Growing up in New York City, a symbol of American resilience and diversity, fueled my patriotism and my wish to give back to my country. Being in the Marine Corps, I was taught that with the right discipline and team ethos, any challenge can be overcome," explained Cabezas.

From 1992 to 1996, Cabezas served as a U.S. Marine unit leader specializing in aircraft firefighting and rescue operations in South Carolina, Texas, California, and Japan. He supervised and trained a team of three marine firefighters and was responsible for operating and maintaining the aircraft fire fighting truck.

Cabezas recounts that, throughout his military experience, he developed an unwavering sense of accountability, learned to perform under extreme pressure, and obtained both leadership and teamwork skills.

At Baruch, a Marine Veteran Finds His Next Mission in Business

After four years of military service, Cabezas sought to build a career grounded in structure, efficiency, and effective leadership. For this first-generation New Yorker of Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian descent, Baruch was the perfect fit-embodying the American dream and rooted in the heart of New York City.

Here, he could bridge the gap between the disciplined world of the military and the dynamic world of business.

"As a native New Yorker and a veteran, I found immense meaning in studying alongside a diverse, ambitious, and hardworking student body, many of whom were also striving to build a better future for themselves and their families," Cabezas stated. "I was drawn to Baruch's Zicklin School of Business for its renowned, practical curriculum that directly translates to the business battlefield, allowing me to formalize my hands on experience into a robust strategic skill set."

Cabezas added, "I am proud of not only graduating with my degree but also of applying the leadership principles I learned in the Marines to group projects and classroom discussions and proactively building a network that supported my transition into a business professional."

A New Jersey Hispanic Leader for 2025

Cabezas currently works as an account manager for individual, Hispanic, and small group markets at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, which is the state's largest and oldest health insurer.

Over the past two years, he has led the expansion of Horizon's Independent Broker Program, driving a 125% increase in combined sales. His strategic vision and ability to foster meaningful relationships have made this initiative a cornerstone of the company's sales success.

"Baruch provided the critical academic framework and real-world business language that, when combined with my military experience, made me a well-rounded professional," Cabezas said. "The curriculum in Operations Management and Marketing gave me the analytical tools and strategic mindset to solve complex problems. Furthermore, Baruch's diverse environment honed my ability to communicate and collaborate with people from all walks of life, preparing me for the global business landscape."

Cabezas is a passionate advocate for veterans serving on the board of Horizon's Military Affinity Group, supporting initiatives like the Veteran Small Business Workshop, the Patriot Fund Invitational, and the Joint Military & Family Assistance Center.

For all his community efforts, Cabezas also earned a second distinction this year being named among one of the Best in New Jersey Hispanic Leaders for 2025.

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