Name: Andy Baragona Major: Computer Information Systems Graduation Year: 2003 NSU Extracurriculars: AITP, Club Soccer Contact Info: Andy.Baragona.J32A@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I originally started at State Farm as a Summer Intern in 2002. I began working full-time as a PL1/COBOL Systems Analyst after graduating from NSU in May 2003. Within a month I was switched to being a Java Systems Analyst. I didn’t have previous experience with Java but State Farm put me through a 7 week in-house training curriculum to pick up what I needed to learn.

Since then I have been helping to create web applications to assist State Farm’s employees manage our customers auto policies and claims. I’m currently a co-lead on an effort that is developing a web app to distribute the workload of auto and homeowner claims among our underwriters in the various regional offices located across the US and parts of Canada.

Personal Information:

I just recently got married and am enjoying that new experience. I spend a large part of my free time working on home improvement projects on our 1867 Victorian style home. When not working on the house, I try to stay active by participating in some of the local co-rec sports leagues such as soccer, sand volleyball, and flag football.

Career Goals:

I am currently working on increasing my understanding of Java development through attaining various industry certifications. I am also trying to further develop my leadership skills to become a project developer lead. I hope to use that opportunity to encourage analysts to adopt different development practices like Extreme Programming and Agile.

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Name: Brandy Bourgoyne Majors: Computer Information Systems, Business Administration Minor: N/A Concentration: N/A Graduation Year: 2005

NSU Extracurriculars: AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals), BPA (Business Professionals of America), Alpha Lambda Delta & Epsilon Delta Pi (two honor societies)

Contact Info: Brandy.Bourgoyne.sfhu@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I am primarily responsible for supporting a mainframe-based software application that provides enterprise-wide Electronic Funds Transfer capabilities. We provide business consulting and technical support for this system, which is used to process EFT transactions for our insurance and business banking needs. We also provide payments consulting for business partners and other business destinations concerning current and future uses of the product; adjustments for new EFT processes; and migration of existing legacy EFT systems. We currently process all of our electronic State Farm Bank payments and most of our electronic vendor payments.

Personal Information:

I am very involved at my church and love staying busy! However, I do enjoy relaxing at home with my dog Tessie (whenever there is time), as well as hanging out with friends. And finally, I love watching football, but must admit that I’m a huge LSU fan.

Career Goals:

Although I enjoy being in systems, I plan to branch out eventually into a field where I feel even more suited, once I determine what that may be.

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Name: Kelly Lock Major: Computer Information Systems Minor: Mathematics. Concentration: N/A Graduation Year: 2003 NSU Extracurriculars: AITP, Epsilon Delta Pi

Contact Info: kelly.lock.nnak@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

Began as a summer intern as a Systems Analyst in 2003. Worked in the mid-tier area on Visual Basic applications. Started full time in 2004 in the same area I interned with. In 2005, went through J2EE training and was assigned to what is currently State Farm’s #1 Systems effort – Enterprise Claims System (ECS). This project is re-writing State Farm’s current host-based claims system. Was a developer lead for a short while on this project which required more leadership and coordination responsibilities. Currently work as a java developer with more technical responsibilities.

Personal Information:

Have been married since 2005. Met my husband at State Farm when I interned. No kids yet, but we do have a Maltese poodle who we treat like a human sometime. I enjoy playing State Farm intramural sports (volleyball and co-ed flag football especially). Visit Morgan City, Louisiana approximately 3 times a year as that is where my parents live and where I am from. Try to take at least one beach vacation every year, which is much needed after an Illinois winter.

Career Goals:

Would like to continue my role as a java developer on ECS and see it through to a successful implementation. Aspire to enhance my developer skills (no matter what programming language) and one day become a key technical resource for State Farm’s Systems department.

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Name: Josh Storrs Major: Computer Information Systems   Minor: Spanish Concentration: N/A Graduation Year: 2005

NSU Extracurriculars: NSU Football Team, AITP, LDSSA

Contact Info: josh.storrs.qtud@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

Systems Analyst working with the NECHO Fire Rating (NECHO FRQ) team using current programming practices in JCL, PL/1 programming, COBOL programming, and DB2 table changes. Working on service assignments creates opportunities to develop a broader knowledge of the Fire Lines of Business: Homeowners, Renters, Condominiums, Rental Dwelling Property, California Earthquake Authority, Boats, Personal Liability Umbrella Policy, and Manufactured Homes quotes.

In addition to Daily Service Work, routinely handle 5-8 service calls per week. By talking with agents and agent staff I have the ability to learn the advantages and disadvantages the agents have by working with State Farm and State Farm’s support network.

Personal Information:

Married and father of a wonderful little girl and another on the way March of 2008. I am a member of a State Farm Employees Association Soccer team and of the SFEA Ping pong league for the 2 years that I have been at state farm. I dabbled in SFEA tennis, but needed to spend more time with the family. Enjoy playing pick-up basketball. I am also an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 40 here in Bloomington/Normal.

Career Goals:

Aspire to train in J2EE and enter web development. Looking to be a team lead for projects.

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Name: Elvis Mensah Major: Computer Information Systems Minor: Business Administration Graduation Year: 2004 NSU Extracurricular: AITP

Contact Info: elvis.mensah.ss83@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

• Write conversions on Auto databases for projects and Service Requests.

• Write database fixes.

• Load new databases.

• Play the role of an Auto analyst on certain Enterprise\P&C One projects.

• Handle data movement between databases, files, and/or segments.

• Work with IMS databases, DB2 databases, VSAM, OSAM and flat files.

• Code in PL/I and usually code is written as one-time or limited run jobs. Once the conversion (code) runs, the code is often not used again.

Personal Information: I was born in Ghana, came to the US in 1999 for college. I got married in 2001. Whiles in college I was active in AITP. I graduated in 2004 and started my professional career at State Farm in 2005. I am now the President of a local organization called B.A.S.I.C. Outreach which has partnered with a national food ministry called Angel Food Ministries. The organization distributes good quality food to families across the country at discounted prices.

Career Goals: My career goal is to become a Catastrophe field Claim Representative or a State Farm Agent.

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Name: Nicholas (Nick) Cortez Majors: Business Administration & Computer Information Systems Minor: N/A Concentration: Liberal Arts – Louisiana Scholars’ College

Graduation Year: Fall 2005

NSU Extracurriculars: NSU Crew, AITP, Catholic Student Organization

Contact Info: nicholas.cortez.sfhs@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I had two internships at State Farm, both as Systems Analysts (SA). The first was in the summer of 2004 as an analyst working with a team in the Auto area. The 2nd came in the summer of 2005 in the Agency Services area. I was hired as an SA to work in Agency Services starting in January of 2006 and have been on the same team since that time. I currently work on maintaining the programs and rating systems that agents and their staff work on.

Personal Information:

I am a huge fan of football. I am interested and follow most sports, but I pay particular attention to college football. I am passionate about video games as well. I am not married and do not have kids, but I am in a serious relationship with an NSU alum. I enjoy reading as much, if not more, than watching movies (I just rarely get the chance to read for fun these days).

Career Goals:

I aspire to work my way through State Farm to develop my way into management. My current goal is to learn the many roles involved in projects and the different responsibilities of the people in those roles so that I can work towards becoming a project manager.

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Name: Tracy (Leeper) Bobbitt Majors: Computer Information Systems and Business Administration Minor & Concentration: N/A Graduation Year: Fall 2005

NSU Extracurriculars: AITP, BPA (treasurer), Intramural Sports (flag football, softball)

Contact Info: tracy.bobbitt.qa1r@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities: I started at State Farm as an intern in the summer of 2005. After graduation I came straight to Bloomington. From my internship to now, I have held the same position as a systems analyst on the Host Services team in the Product and Agreement Domain of the Data and Information Strategies area. I service components that touch all of the lines of businesses (Auto, Fire, Life, Health, etc.). I work with mostly COBOL, JCL, and DB2 SQL on the mainframe.

Personal Information: I recently married a fellow NSU graduate. We are both just trying to adjust to the ‘cool’ winters and life in Bloomington. Outside of work, I am the Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity of McLean County Women Build. I’ve really enjoyed being able to learn how to build a house and meet other women of the community. I also enjoy playing softball, flag football, soccer, and basketball. In my free time, I love to travel and see new places.
 

Career Goals: I would love to be able to work with others in planning and organizing events and activities for State Farm, or working with bridging the community and State Farm

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Name: Malcolm Bihm Major: Computer Information Systems Minor: Concentration: E-Commerce Graduation Year: Summer 2007

NSU Extracurricular

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Business Professionals of America
National Pan-Hellenic Council
Blue Key Honor Fraternity
Helping Hands
African American Caucus

Contact Info: malcolm.bihm.pavw@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I started my career at State Farm in August of 2007 as a Systems Analyst. Like most Systems Analyst that come to State Farm, I completed the training program known as Customized Systems Analysis Training (CSAT). I have just finished that training and I haven’t exactly transitioned into my role on my team yet.

Personal Information:

I am 22 years old and I like to stay involved in as many sports as possible. I routinely play basketball on weekends and periodically during the week. I also stay involved in the State Farm Intramural Leagues. Another passion of mine is getting out there to help the children in the community who need some direction in life. I’m involved in an organization in Bloomington called Hope for the Future. In addition to that, I will become a big brother soon after my life gets fully acclimated here in Bloomington. I also have a strong will to start doing some traveling really soon.

Career Goals:

Even though I just started my career, my career path seems to be clear to me. Some ideas that I’ve come up with in the last couple of months are: 1) Be as productive as possible when I move into my role on my team by taking initiative and beating deadlines. 2) Move on from my current area to explore other areas at State Farm in different parts of the country. 3) Achieve a higher level of responsibilities that directly affect the company.

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Name: Chris Gregory Majors: Business Administration Computer Information Systems Graduation Year: 2006

NSU Extracurriculars: AITP, Young Business Professionals, Louisiana Scholars' College, Ultimate Frisbee

Contact Info: chris.gregory.qt96@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I am a Systems Analyst in the Fire area within State Farm. My area does a lot of work on all of the transactions for policies like homeowners insurance. I've been here since I came to State Farm 2 years ago.

Personal Information:

Outside of work, I use the perk of having a State Farm park. I play in the Ultimate Frisbee league and the Flag Football league. I am not married, so I still get to do my own thing. I've been studying for my Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) Certification, which State Farm pays for. I go to Chicago a lot.

Career Goals:

I would like to eventually move into management. Maybe I will spend some time in a zone to get more experience or maybe I will move around to other areas within State Farm, such as Public Affairs.

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Name: Louis Nelson Major: Computer Information Systems Minor: N/A Concentration: N/A Graduation Year: 2000

NSU Extracurriculars: Louisiana Scholars’ College Forum Council, Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, AITP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, College of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board

Contact Info: Work e-mail – louis.nelson.jajz@statefarm.com

Home e-mail – lounel@insightbb.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I have worked as a systems analyst in the Fire Rating unit in Property and Casualty Systems since 2001 when I started at State Farm.

Personal Information:

I am married with two children, Kayla and Louis III. I am a huge movie and music fan. My favorite sports team is the Lakers. I also enjoy doing volunteer work in the community. I am a member of the State Farm Community Volunteers Council, so I am always able to find ways to be active in the community. I also served as the local events coordinator for the NSU alumni group in the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois area from 2005 – 2008.

Career Goals:

I am looking to be a valuable contributor in whatever job position that I may hold. I am also looking to continually learn about the insurance industry through insurance education courses.

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NSU Extracurricular: AITP

Contact Info: joey.murphy.paqh@statefarm.com

General Job Responsibilities:

I had an internship with State Farm in the summer 2006 and as a full-time employee after a year. To be a System Analyst in Fire Rating, our primary job is to computer-rate fire policies, such as Homeowner, Apartment, Boat and Manufactured Home, etc. The team owns many components which are used to calculate premium for millions of policies everyday. Whenever there are changes are required to these components, we will be involved in the projects. We need to gather information from business partners and coordinate with other areas for impacts, coding and testing, in order to issue the changes to the production properly. The tools we use mainly are COBOL, JCL and DB2 Tables in an IBM Host environment.

Personal Information:

I was born in Hong Kong and moved to the United States since 2003. I have a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney. I also have over 10 years working experience in supply-chain and retail business with companies in the US, Austria, Taiwan and China. My latest job was being a coordinator to help the company develop a new operation/database system which was used in the business operation between Hong Kong, China and Austria. Lately, American football has become one of my favorite sports.

Career Goals:

Looking to become a team leader and interested in working in IT and supply-chain combination with companies across the world.

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