Competence is Key to Success

Mr. DeVico learned early that “the foundation for anything is competence.” For example, class assignments where he manually created regression models developed a skill that would prove important in an early job. 

“If you couldn’t do the math, you couldn’t be on the team,” he explained.  
 

Building on that foundational competence, pursuing graduate study at St. John’s provided essential business skills. “Going for my master of business administration degree was a really productive experience,” he said. “If success is winning or losing, I’ve won because of the capabilities that I developed during that time.” 

Mr. DeVico’s work in banking, from Chase to Bankers Trust to Bank of America, provided a background in financial management and the expertise to lead entrepreneurial ventures. His track record of creating value is as impressive as the supportive culture he has always prioritized. 

“When people care about each other, they help each other win,” he said. “Part of my leadership strategy is to make sure that the people I work with are successful. I keep in contact with colleagues from years ago, and they know that I care about their success.”

His keys to success include a focus on customer experience, a network of like-minded professionals, and, importantly, he added, “I was never afraid to ask.”  

Proof of that fearlessness would come at a start-up where banks were his target customers. At the time, fellow alumnus Peter J. Tobin '65CBA, '96HON was Chief Financial Officer at Chase. 

Mr. DeVico recalled, “I didn’t know him, but I just called him and explained what I was doing. We met and he looked at our business plan. He was a pretty important guy, and he was willing to talk.” Mr. Tobin would go on to become Dean of the College of Business Administration, now called The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. 

When meeting with today’s students, Mr. DeVico advises, “Be capable and prepared. Be committed to delivering results.” 

Relationships come next. “Your career is what you know first, and who you know, second. Opportunities are provided by people you know.” 

Mr. DeVico admits that choosing to attend St. John’s University was not a difficult decision; in fact, “there was never a consideration to go anywhere else.” Growing up on Staten Island, NY, within walking distance of most of his family, he enjoyed “a very traditional upbringing” among fellow Italian-American immigrant families. 

“My sister and I would walk home from school, and it wasn’t uncommon for both of our parents to be at work,” he explained. “We were able to wander the neighborhood and play, take risks, and learn what our capabilities were—which ended up preparing us for life.”

A social outlet from his undergraduate days would become an important personal, professional, and philanthropic network in his life. For more than 20 years, Mr. DeVico’s fraternity Iota Sigma has collectively awarded a scholarship to an incoming student, extending their bonds of friendship to generations of future Johnnies. 

“Our fraternity was about building relationships and having fun, but I also took my education seriously,” he reflected. “I was always mindful about planning for the future.” 

Recently retired and residing in Salt Lake City, UT, with his wife, Mr. DeVico now plays an advisory role to emerging ventures in technology and energy. He may have left New York behind, but his ties to the St. John’s community remain as strong as ever.