B.S. in Finance, Virginia Tech
Graduation Year: 2016

ABOUT ME

Hi! My name is Peter Veltri and I graduated from Virginia Tech in the class of 2016 with a degree in Finance and a minor in International Business. I grew up in Northern Virginia and always had a passion for sports, especially ice hockey, and traveling. While in Blacksburg, I also played on the VT Ice Hockey Team and served as the club’s Treasurer and Co-President and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. 

Currently, I am the Director of Finance at the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. where I oversee the hotel’s financial reporting, cash flow, and accounting compliance. Outside of work, I still love to play hockey, travel with my wife, and cheer on the Hokies!

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

After graduating from Virginia Tech, I joined Hilton’s Management Development Program at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago where I had a crash course on the inner workings of hotel management and the financial strategies that go into a hotel operation. Since completion of the MDP program, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to hold several different roles in various Hilton hotels across the country enhancing my skills in financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, client relations, and financial strategy. In 2023, I was promoted to my current role of Director of Finance. 

During my career, I have worked on many amazing hotel teams, completed system rollouts, numerous audits, budgets, and two ownership transitions. In 2023, some of this work resulted in receiving a Hilton Finance Special Recognition Award for leadership, teamwork, and work ethic. This was truly a huge honor to be recognized by my peers and further drives me to be the best that I can be each day. 

IMPACT OF EDUCATION

The Finance Department at Virginia Tech made a major impact on the outcome of my career. I entered VT knowing I wanted to study Finance but had no clue how many paths that could lead to. The department’s variety of courses provided me with the opportunity to explore different financial careers and become well-rounded in my financial acumen. The Corporate Finance class provided technical skills that I use every day and classes like Venture Capital and Investment Banking were extremely engaging and taught me different ways to think and problem-solve. Additionally, the relationships that I was able to build with my professors not only opened opportunities in my professional world but have now become longtime friendships. 

GIVING BACK & MENTORSHIP

I was afforded so many great opportunities while I was at Virginia Tech, being Hokie is something I truly identify with and am always looking for opportunities to give back. Currently, I sit on both the Finance Advisory and the HTM Advisory boards, which has been extremely rewarding. These positions have allowed me to stay connected with VT, connect with fellow alumni and current students, and help make an impact on the future direction of Pamplin. 

Outside of the advisory boards, I love being able to share my experiences in the classroom as a guest lecturer and as a mentor to current Hokies and young alumni as they figure out their own career paths. 

WORDS OF ADVICE

My biggest piece of advice to current students and young alumni is to keep an open mind. No one’s career path is identical, and if you can approach new opportunities with an open mind and absorb as much as you can, it can really help create a rewarding and unique experience that is tailored to you. 

Additionally, enjoy the moment. It is easy to get lost focusing on the future, but it is also important to be present. Your time at Virginia Tech is limited, make sure you don’t take it for granted and you get to truly experience the culture and community of Virginia Tech while you’re on campus!

PERSONAL QUOTE

The Virginia Tech Finance Department provided me the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have a successful career in corporate finance. The faculty and students form an amazing community, which allowed me to explore and grow in the world of business and continue to drive me to do my best and be a proud Hokie!