Accountability in Action

Cesar Monterroso (Monmouth ’17) on Leadership, Personal Growth
Alex Beaven (Pennington & Company), contributing writer

Between military service and Sigma Pi membership, Cesar Monterroso (Monmouth ’17) has gained life-changing insight into what it takes to be a leader. His Delta-Beta Chapter experience helped him learn the value of a strong foundation, and Cesar enters his new role at Crisis24 with a deep understanding of personal accountability.

Sigma Pi Memories

Like many freshmen in college, Cesar didn’t know anyone when he first arrived at Monmouth University. That would soon change as he searched for a sense of camaraderie on campus and meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. “Sigma Pi provided that for me. The pride came from being part of something bigger than myself – brotherhood, shared values, and lifelong connections.”

Delta-Beta Chapter gave Cesar a chance to form bonds with pledge brothers and learn valuable lessons outside the classroom. With countless great memories from his college days, his favorite Sigma Pi moment was spending time with his pledge class after initiation.

“That sense of accomplishment and unity was unmatched,” he said. “Being able to attend social events and represent the Fraternity alongside my brothers was also a highlight.”

Fraternal Responsibilities

As a Sigma Pi member, Cesar embraced the shared rituals and time-tested values that shape the brotherhood. Fraternity life also showed him the importance of undergraduate leadership and contributing to shared success in a collegiate setting.

Despite missing Chapter meetings due to deployment to the Middle East in 2018, he remained deeply engaged with Delta-Beta leadership and continued to support the Chapter in meaningful ways. Serving as Second Counselor, Cesar played an important role in strengthening the future of Sigma Pi at Monmouth by maintaining communication with his peers.

“We knew we were building something sustainable, and seeing how successful Delta-Beta Chapter is today confirms that foundation was solid.”

Air Force Experiences

When he was just five years old, Cesar was shaken by coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attack and felt the call to one day serve his country. His mother’s hard work to lead the family despite financial struggles also instilled Cesar’s mindset of working hard to earn his education and future success.

“I joined the U.S. Air Force right after high school,” he said. “I’m still serving 11.5 years later. While the military offers tangible benefits, the most valuable takeaways have been the experiences, leadership development, and interpersonal skills. It forced me to grow up quickly and instilled core values I still rely on today: discipline, leading by example, and executing at a high level.”

Leadership Philosophy

Military leadership demonstrated the impact of execution and accountability in challenging situations. Cesar carried his Air Force mentality into Delta-Beta Chapter and approached the Fraternity as a similarly regimented environment.

“Applying that mindset to Fraternity leadership helped identify what needed improvement and how to implement structure effectively. One concept that always stuck with me is ‘FITFO’ (Figure It the F Out), which emphasizes ownership and problem solving.”

While Sigma Pi is much different from a combat zone, Cesar draws parallels in how bad decisions can have serious consequences in both the military and the Fraternity. He frequently emphasized the value of deliberate decision-making and understanding the consequences of actions for Delta-Beta Chapter members.

“Many believe leadership comes automatically with age, a title, or a specific job,” he added. “The reality is that leadership is hard work. If it were easy, everyone would do it. True leadership requires consistency, accountability, and service to others.”

Career Ventures

Both Cesar’s Air Force and Sigma Pi experiences laid the foundation for his development as a young man. By serving his country and the Fraternity, he gained a sense of responsibility that has shaped his approach to a career in corporate and executive security.

“The military gave me structure, discipline, and operational awareness, while Sigma Pi strengthened my interpersonal skills and my professional network. Together, they shaped how I lead teams, manage risk, and mentor others in high-pressure environments.”

The next step in Cesar’s career is a role supporting Crisis24, an industry-leading global security firm with several clients. His new job is a natural progression of prior leadership experiences and sees him transitioning into an international fin-tech company to build and lead security operations. “I’m focused on adding value, scaling programs, and setting a strong example for those coming up behind me.”

Personal Life

Beyond his career, Cesar follows his mom’s example of placing a heavy emphasis on family life and supporting those around him. He takes time to nurture his most important bonds and cherish every moment with others.

“My family has always been my foundation. Watching my mother work tirelessly to provide for us shaped my work ethic and sense of responsibility. Outside of work, I value close relationships, staying connected to those who supported my journey, and maintaining balance despite a demanding career.”

Cesar enjoys staying connected with Sigma Pi Fraternity and his brothers through various alumni events. He appreciated the Fraternity’s strong alumni network when he was in college and now serves as a mentor for young Delta-Beta members, helping them navigate career paths and tough decisions.

“I actively mentor a younger brother trying to break into the corporate security world, and that is something I take great pride in. Sigma Pi isn’t just a college experience – it’s a lifelong brotherhood, and I take pride in staying involved and giving back whenever I can.”

You can connect with Cesar and share your Sigma Pi connection at cesar.monterroso@crisis24.com or linkedin.com/in/cesarmontey.