Tyler McLees

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Army veteran, dog dad, hiking enthusiast, and New York Giants superfan.”

Hometown: A quick train ride from NYU Stern in West Islip, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I won the Army’s national hand-to-hand combat tournament in 2024. It was a three-day gauntlet that ended with a full MMA-style bout in front of a thousand people. It was one of the most rewarding and intimidating experiences of my life.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point. Major in Systems Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army – Infantry Commanding Officer

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? I’ve worn the Army uniform since I was 18. Business school is my first real exposure to the corporate world, and NYC is the perfect place to figure out what’s next. It offers the energy and access that I need for professional growth, while giving me a chance to invest in the parts of my life that have been on hold for the last decade. I can walk my dog to the park in the morning, jump on the subway for class or a coffee chat, eat at a restaurant I’ve never been to, and still make it to happy hour. Having grown up on Long Island, this feels like a dream finally realized, but also the best place to write my next chapter.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Fertitta Veterans MBA Program made the difference for me. It’s the most obvious sign of Stern’s investment in veterans. Through the Program’s intensive summer session, I took six credits and attended 10 corporate presentations with 15 other military veterans in the Class of 2027. The early summer start allows veterans in the Fertitta Program to reduce their course load during the fall semester, so that there’s more time to prepare for coffee chats, technical interviews, and prioritize the recruiting process. It’s also been great to make some friends and acclimate to the classroom before everything ramps up in the fall.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? I’m excited to specialize in accounting and build technical business skills that will complement my military experiences. I’ve found success in my leadership positions in the army from being able to understand the systems that make the army function beyond a surface level. Without the technical fluency to read a financial statement or speak the business language, it would be tough to do the same.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career?  EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is the ability to meet people where they are. I led over 150 Infantry Soldiers as a Commanding Officer in my last job in the Army. Over the year and a half in the position, no two days were the same. I may have found myself synchronizing the movement of hundreds of soldiers spread across 20 military vehicles using night vision, radios, GPS, and a little hope; consoling a soldier dealing with a deeply intimate personal situation; or guiding a soldier through performance counseling. Some days I would do all three. Each situation required a different blend of strength, empathy, and decisiveness, and through making those distinctions, I learned about EQ in action.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Passing RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program) and serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment was the most demanding and developmental chapter of my life. The 75th Ranger Regiment has rightfully earned the moniker as the Army’s premier Infantry Unit, and as a young military officer, every day is a proving ground. The path to selection involved graduating at the top of the initial officer training class, passing the grueling 62-day Ranger School, and earning a top evaluation after a year as a junior leader.

Once accepted, you learn quickly that your past accomplishments no longer matter. The operational pace is relentless, the expectations are high, and the people are world-class. I was fortunate enough to be able to deploy to combat zones with the Ranger Regiment, where I learned about leading under pressure from those who do it best. I carry those lessons, and that standard, with me every day.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? I’ve spent most of my adult life building teams, both at West Point and in the Army. I walked on to West Point’s Division-1 wrestling team, spending my early career earning credibility through relentless commitment to self-improvement and putting the needs of the team above myself. Shortly before my senior year, I was named as one of the two team captains, though I was far from being the most talented guy on the roster.

In the Army, I spent almost nine years leading teams where I was rarely, if ever, the technical expert. Instead, I leveraged my ability to cultivate relationships and put the right people in the right roles to get results.

At NYU Stern, I don’t expect to be the smartest person in the room, but I do intend to be the one who helps them click.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Don’t forget to spotlight how you’ll contribute to Stern’s tight-knit, collaborative community.

In the short time since I’ve started the Fertitta Program, I’ve already seen how strong the Stern student and alumni network is. With so many former Sternies nearby in New York City, there’s a culture of always being willing to help your neighbor. You’ll have many opportunities to get in front of some of the most competitive employers in the country. Your peers and the Stern community will be your greatest asset in getting ready for those moments, and it’s important to keep in mind how you’ll add to that.

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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