Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
John Heyel graduated from Rye High School in 1988. He later attended Carnegie Mellon University and was commissioned as an Ensign in May of 1992. He enlisted and served in the US Navy during the Gulf War.
Heyel attended the Navy Nuclear Power Training School in Orlando, FL and was assigned to the USS Mississippi (CGN 40), a nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser based out of Norfolk, VA. Between 1994 and 1997, John was the M2 Division Officer and Reactor Training Assistant.
While onboard Mississippi, Heyel was deployed to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Deliberate Force to back NATO military operations in Bosnia. During that time, Mississippi provided aid during the recovery of downed US Air Force pilot Scott O’Grady. Heyel was also deployed to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in support of counter-drug operations.
Following his military career, Heyel earned an MBA from the George Washington University and pursued a career in Finance working for Capital One and serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Paymerang, a Financial Technology startup in Richmond, Virginia.
John is married to Jeanel Heyel of Virginia. Jeanel also graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and served as a logistics officer in the US Marine Corps between 1993 and 1999. More on Heyel.
