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Hello everyone, I am Ned Butts. I am currently serving as an active duty soldier in the US Army, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. I am in my first semester with the MBA program. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi in 2019. I look forward to working with y'all and learning new leadership tactics!

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Hi, I'm MacK Iiames. I'm originally from the west coast but moved to the south for my undergrad at Georgia Tech. I graduated in 2020 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and moved up to Raleigh to start work at Eaton as an Outside Sales Engineer. I love paddle boarding, reading, golf, traveling, and walks with my husband and dog. This is my first semester in the MBA program and I'm looking forward to learning new things and hearing everyone's experiences.

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Hello Everyone. My name is Kris and I'm excited to meet you all. I grew up in China and Singapore, and came to America for college (attended James Madison University, Go Dukes!). Currently, I work as a Content Writer & Strategist for Cadmium and have been in the tech space for 6 years.

Some of my hobbies include reading (does anyone have any recommendations? I'm a big non-fiction buff), writing, playing piano, doting on my dog Button, crafting, fly fishing, traveling, and cooking. I can't wait to learn from you all and grow in my own leadership skills.

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Hi, I'm Kat Byrd! I am originally from Charlotte, NC and I'm a proud native North Carolinian. I taught Latin for 10 years before pivoting into my current role at Poole College as an Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the Jenkins MBA Program. You might recognize me if I interviewed you or met you at one of our in-person events :). Now I'm a student, just like you!

I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with my husband and my cat. I'm looking forward to learning about leadership with you this semester!

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Hello Everyone! My name is Kayla Driver. I'm from Wendell, North Carolina. I graduated from NC State in 2022 with a degree in Agronomy. I didn't stray far from the Crop and Soil Sciences department, as I have been working as a Research Specialist with the Precision Sustainable Agriculture research network at NC State for the last three years.

I love traveling, reading, crocheting, cooking, lifting weights, and curling up on the couch to watch movies with my fiancée and our adorable cat, Gus. This is my first semester in the program, and I am so glad to be here! I look forward to working with and learning from y'all.

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Howdy all! I'm Ben Sweezy--I've done a lot of public sector strategy and transformation work, primarily with Federal agencies and now with the UNC System itself here in Raleigh. I grew up in Chapel Hill, moved to DC from 2007-2020 and am delighted to be back home. I'm looking to build my Triangle network and get to know everyone. I have 18 years of professional experience in consulting, government, and tech--I'm always trying to fit in however I can help.

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Hi everyone, I’m Brooke!

The only pictures I take these days are with my kids—this one is from my middle child’s recent birthday. I’m originally from California, where I earned my degree in Civil Engineering, but my family relocated to the Triangle about four years ago and we haven’t looked back!

I began my career at PG&E (the Duke Energy of California) as a Resource Supervisor, managing the administration and scheduling of electric distribution work in the Bay Area. After five years in corporate, I returned to school to earn my teaching credentials in middle school math. Not long after, my first son was born, and I took the opportunity to stay home with my children. When my youngest turned one last year, I stepped back into the workforce as a business manager for a small business specializing in cleanroom certification.

While I wish I had more adventurous hobbies, my favorite ways to spend time are homeschooling my kids (to keep my teacher heart happy!), reading, watching movies, and enjoying time with friends.

I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and learning from the wealth of experience in this group!

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Good Evening everyone! My name is Robbie Miller. I graduate from NC State in 2001 with a degree in Agronomy. I have worked in minor league baseball, was once a Golf Course Superintendent, and I am now the Director of Landscapes and Athletic Fields at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC. I am one of the few native Charlotteans still living in the area, if you look hard you can still find a few. I also work with the NC SFMA to organize and manage a regional educational conference for sports field managers. Volunteering with the association has been an amazing journey which has helped lead me to the Graduate Program.

In my spare time i love playing catch and teaching baseball to my two sons. My oldest son is an amazing drummer, a craft I have decided to learn also. While he is on his way to stardom, I am still finding my way behind the kit. My sons have helped me with a variety of chores around the house. We have built a new patio and renovated several rooms. I love to learning and trying new things.

This is my first semester in the MBA program and its been 24 years since i have been in a class room. I am beyond excited to get started! I look forward to getting to know everyone over the next few years!

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Hey everyone! I am very excited to be starting my first MBA semester at NC State!

I bring a BS in Mechanical Engineering (Go Pack!) and 5 years of aerospace manufacturing experience from Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing in Creedmoor, NC. During the day I lead a team of Project Engineers in our Mergers and Acquisitions Department.

In my free time (before starting my MBA), I enjoy being outdoors playing golf, basketball, and skiing. My wife and I live in Durham and love attending Carolina Hurricanes games!

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Hi everyone, and happy first day of the semester!

My name is Tyra Bookhart, and I currently work as an Operations Specialist in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. I earned my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from George Mason University and have spent most of my career in pharma, with a one-year stint at the USPTO.

I have a 5-year-old daughter who just started kindergarten, so we'll be navigating the school year together! I moved to Raleigh last year from Virginia and have been loving it so far.

Lately, I’ve gotten into MotorSports, so I love spending time at Wake County Speedway whenever I can!

I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and learning more about you all. Wishing us all a great semester! 😊

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Hello everyone, my name is Rene Ramos. I’m originally from Honduras and have been living in North Carolina for the past seven years. I hold a degree in Agronomy and Agricultural Business and have 10 years of experience in the tobacco industry, working across the entire supply chain—from the seed to the final product. My career path has taken me through local, regional, and global agronomy roles, as well as serving as a Sustainability Manager, and I now lead in procurement. In my current role as Procurement Manager, I focus on supplier relationships, sourcing strategies, and sustainability initiatives, which has given me the opportunity to work across cultures and guide teams toward long-term success. Alongside my corporate career, I’m also an entrepreneur, building a coffee shop in Greensboro, NC, which challenges me to apply leadership in a very different setting. I’m pursuing my MBA at NC State, and I’m excited to be part of this leadership class to sharpen my skills, learn from your perspectives, and continue growing as a leader both professionally and personally.

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Hello fellow classmates!  My name is Mary Claire, but feel free to call me MC!

I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2012, so it’s been a little while since I was last in school. Professionally, I spent eight years working in hedge fund operations in New York and San Francisco before returning to North Carolina to join my family’s textile distribution business. Since moving back, we acquired another distribution company, which I currently manage.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with friends and family and taking long walks with my dog, Sage. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and my guilty pleasure is reality TV!

Looking forward to getting to know everyone this semester!

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Hello everyone, my name is Kevin Glime. I am excited to be joining the NC State Wolfpack in this MBA Program. I am originally from MI and went to school at Michigan State University for Mechanical Engineering, then I went to Purdue University to get my Masters in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating from Purdue, my wife and I decided we were tired of the cold and packed up our lives and moved to the beautiful city of Raleigh, NC. We love it here and are very excited to be able to make stronger roots in the community.

On the MBA specifically, I am looking forward to learning on how to become a better more effective leader and I look forward to working with you all this semester.

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Good evening or morning everyone! MY name is Jeff Murt. I am a Navy veteran. I have a bachelors degree in Law Enforcement/National Security intelligence from Mercyhurst University. I currently live in Durham, NC where my lovely bride and I just bought our first house. We lived in San Diego for 8 years before moving to the triangle in 2023 for my wife to pursue her MPH at Chapel Hill (don't worry I do not hold it against her). Currently I work as an Applications Engineer for Siemens eMobility providing a wide range of support for R&D, Project Management, Sales, and Customer Service.

In my free time I love to cook, run, hang with my wife, spoil my two dogs Frank (pitbull/boxer mix) and Ducky (black lab/golden mix), try out new coffee shops or restaurants, travel, or just be active doing anything. Im starting my fourth term in the MBA program and its been quite a ride working full time and doing school (not stressful at all at any time). I also enjoy a good pun.

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I’m Christopher Paul Futrell. I currently work in private aviation as a wholesale charter broker, where I’ve developed a strong understanding of high-pressure logistics, client relations, and operational coordination in a fast-paced industry. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Mount Olive and am now pursuing my MBA to position myself for career advancement and expand my professional network.

A lifelong NC State fan (Go PACK!), I’m driven by the goal of finding a workplace that truly values its people, somewhere I can not only contribute but also grow long term. I look forward to gaining new insights, building meaningful connections, and making the most of this next chapter in my professional journey.

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Hey everyone, my name is Austin LeMay. I am currently a business analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton. The firm primarily focuses on management and IT consulting for the US government. Currently, I am part of a project team assisting a DoD client with modernizing their IT enterprise.

I graduated in 2017 from East Carolina University with a BA in Political Science and BS in Security Studies. During college, I was a part of the Army National Guard, where I got my start in the IT space.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and I’m excited to build my business knowledge, strengthen my leadership skills, and expand my overall toolkit. I’m also looking forward to meeting and working with everyone.

My wife and I have an almost two-year-old daughter who keeps us busy. I enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting, golfing, and being with family. I’m also interested in real estate. I bought a rental property a couple of years ago and often help my in-laws with their rentals as well, taking on repairs and upgrades. It’s been a great way to pick up new skills, and I’d like to keep growing in real estate investing over time.

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Hello Everyone! My name is Akila.

I grew up in India. I have a bachelors in Information Technology. I began my career working as a software engineer and over the course of years, I transitioned into working with the project management team. I’m currently part of a data services project at a healthcare consulting company.

I moved to the US after my marriage. I lived in the west coast for 6 years and moved to NC, 4 years ago. I currently live in Knightdale, NC with my husband and our daughter, who is in 4rd grade.

I love traveling, gardening, watching movies, and playing board games. I’m a big foodie and I love to cook.

I’m very excited to be a part of the pack and I’m looking forward to shaping my leadership skills.

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Hi everyone, I'm Riddhi Patel. I am originally from Raleigh, but live in Charlotte currently. I graduated from UNCC with my major in computer science in 2022, afterwards I joined Bank of America in Charlotte as a software developer. I have been there for three years now. One of the biggest reasons I want to get my MBA is to learn how the business side works and the "why" behind the work given to developers.

Some of my hobbies include working out, reading, watching movies and discovering new things to cook!

I am very excited to join the MBA program at NC State and can't wait to connect with my peers! This is my first semester in the MBA program, so I am very new to this, I am ready to take on the challenge of work and school!

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Sorry, all of my pictures are of my kids and my dog

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Hello everyone! My name is Ally Adams-Alwine. I'm originally from Washington, D.C. where I attended Georgetown University, but moved to Raleigh for work six years ago.

I have worked in the non-profit/international public health space for over a decade, and am currently Senior Manager, New Business Development at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In this role I help teams working in several sub-Saharan African countries to design new projects focused on HIV prevention and maternal and child health, and find funding to make those projects a reality. With the recent cuts to foreign assistance, my sector is changing fast, and I'm looking forward to gaining new leadership skills so I can help navigate the transition.

I have identical twin girls who are starting Kindergarten this Fall - they say they're excited to meet you all as well, especially if you had a dog in your photo :). In my spare time (what is that?) I like to read fantasy/sci-fi, cook, and plan where to travel to next. Looking forward to meeting you all!

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Hi, I'm Rushi Patel. I was born in NJ but moved to a small town in NC when I was 5. I grew up in a town called Kings Mountain. I am a business owner/operator running a gas station in the university area in Charlotte.  This is my first semester at NCSU. I went to UNCC for my undergrad in Exercise Science. I manager the day to day operations of the gas station. My work consist of managing inventory, payroll, employment and vendor relations. I'm really happy to be starting grad school and excited to meet the new people who are on the same journey as me.

Outside of work I love to run, hike, and explore nature/food. If there one thing I wanna do when i retire is become a food critic. I enjoy binging on soccer, tennis, F1, and football. I am excited to meet my fellow classmates and collaborate with them going forward.

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Hi everyone! My name is Joe Stankovich and this is my first semester in the MBA program. I am from the southwest Missouri where I obtained my B.S. in Biochemistry from Drury University.

During my professional career I have worked in the biomanufacturing field. Previously, I worked for two bioindustrial companies (ADM and AgBiome) supporting their process development pipelines. Currently I work at NC State's BTEC where we train and prepare students to enter the biomanufacturing sector.

My free time is typically spent with my fiancée and our dog. I love to hike, exercise, explore new restaurants around the triangle, and dabble in some PC gaming!

I am looking forward to a great semester with all of you!

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Hi friends, I'm Jennifer Pressley. I graduated from NC State in 2001 with a degree in Education. I am happy to return home to NC State for my MBA!

I am the proud mom of 2 amazing teenage boys, Grant & Gavin. My oldest just moved into Bragaw Hall to start his first year at State. My youngest is a rising 9th grader! My husband, Dave is also in the Jenkins MBA program. (No, we generally will not work together in order to keep peace in our home, haha!)

We love to travel as a family. It is my favorite time with my kids, visiting new places and creating memories with them.

I serve in the role of COO at NC Retina Associates, a large private ophthalmology practice in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. I have worked in healthcare for the length of my entire career.

I am thrilled to start this program, to grow professionally and to gain a deeper understanding on how to make sound business decisions. Looking forward to connecting with each of you!

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My name is Zade Freij and I graduated North Carolina State University on May of 2023 with an undergraduarte degree in Bioprocessing Science / Engineering. I currently work as an Engineering Project Manager outside Raleigh for a large CDMO (Commercial Development Manufacturing Organization). I am assisting with a large commercial expansion to increase manufacturing capabilities and preparing to work with large clients in the bio-pharmaceutical sphere.

I am originally from Charlotte, NC which unfortunately, makes me a huge Panthers & Hornets fan. Post grad I have worked / lived in Boston and Philadelphia working with various clients in the pharmaceutical space as a consultant for capital projects.

The nature of my work is to move around, but I will be in Raleigh for an extended period of time.

In my free time, I deeply enjoy traveling to new places, new restaurants, hiking, fishing, surfing, reading, etc. I have always had an interest in the economic and finance worlds and am excited to deepen my knowledge.

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Hi everyone, my name is Tolar Ray and I’m excited to meet you all. I’m originally from Mebane, NC, which is between Raleigh and Greensboro. I graduated from NC State in 2023 with a degree in Communication Media and now work as a Marketing Communications Specialist for the College of Engineering at NC State.

I began my career at Elon University, where I served as Director of Creative Video in athletics.

Outside of work, I enjoy golfing, cycling, and playing trumpet. My fiancée is an RN at Duke Raleigh, and we absolutely love living in Raleigh.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and I’m looking forward to learning how to effectively lead teams, leaders, and organizations — and to getting to know each of you.

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My name's Annie Peterson. I'm the Head of Preservation and Conservation Services at UNC Chapel Hill Libraries. I manage the group that repairs and preserves library materials (books, papers, photos, etc.) I'm excited to grow my leadership skills in the Jenkins program. My career has been in libraries / library-adjacent non-profits.

When I'm not working I like to quilt, cook, and go on long neighborhood walks with my dog, a scruffy little terrier mix.

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Hello Everyone,

My name is Chris Hunter, I am from Massachusetts. I am currently a Director of Strategic Accounts for Oxford Global Resources a global staffing and solutions firm. I graduated from the University of Maine in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in English with an additional major in Management.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and I am excited to build my business acumen. My goal is to become a successful business leader who can support and collaborate with the business individuals within an organization.

I have a fiancé and two dogs that keep my plenty busy outside of work. My passions include hiking, surfing, and live music.

I look forward to meeting the folks in the program and collaborating to learn together.

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Hello Everyone,

My Name is Hasham Khan. I’m half way through the Executive MBA Program.

I started my career about 20 years ago as a computer programmer, since then I have been moving into different technology roles gradually moving to leadership role. I believe in strategic and thought leadership and big proponent of data-driven decisions. With MBA I want to add value to my leadership journey, hone my analytical skills and stretch my boundaries backed by strong learning.

I am currently working as a technology leader with a prestigious financial instituion where passion and people are valued the most.

On personal front, I live in Raleigh area with my beautiful wife and 2 wonderful kids (13 and 9 - crazy time hnn). I love spending time with my family and remain active through running and playing different sports.

My goal is to enjoy every bit of this journey and challenge myself to broaden my capabilities.

All the best!

Thanks

Hasham

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Hey Everyone! I'm Rich Butryn and originally from New Jersey. I went to Virginia Tech for my undergraduate degree and commissioned in the Marine Corps shortly after graduation. I served 7 years on active duty and I am now in the reserves. I currently work at UBS as a Financial Crimes Analyst. I enjoy pretty much anything outside. I am excited to learn more about general management and working with everyone!

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Hi Everyone, my name is Lindsay Pierle. I️ am originally from NJ, but have been living in the triangle (Durham and now Raleigh) for the last 4 years.

I️ am currently a Sr. Manager in MSAT Lifecycle management at J&J where I️ manage our polymeric and raw material strategy for our cell and gene therapies. Prior to J&J I️ worked at a start-up medical device combination product company in R&D. I️ attended Virginia Tech for my undergraduate degree in Mechanical engineering minoring in biomedical engineering and economics and Johns Hopkins for a masters in Bioengineering.

When I️'m not working I️ love to do DIY projects, golf (badly), travel, go to pilates, read, crochet, and solve crosswords!

Looking forward to meeting everyone and starting this exiting program!

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Hello everyone and happy first week of the semester!

My name is Kevyn Cherry! I am originally from Eastern North Carolina but currently live here in Raleigh. I earned my B.S. in Supply Chain Management from North Carolina A&T State University and have worked as a Supply Chain & Procurement Professional in the aerospace, tech, and now pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. While attending college, I also joined the U.S. Army National Guard and committed a lot of my time serving the country. I was honorably discharged in 2022 and decided to focus more on my civilian career.

In the picture above, is my beautiful, soon-to-be, bride! I will be getting married next May, so a lot of my time is dedicated to wedding planning, haha! Outside of wedding planning, I am a fitness freak so I spend a lot of time in the gym. I also love grilling so please don't hesitate to send me any new recipes.

This is my first semester and I am very excited about joining this program and obtaining my MBA here at NC State! Looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing from you all throughout the semester. Best of luck!

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Hi everyone, I'm Samantha (Sam) Rodriguez. I'm from Charlotte, NC and graduated from UNCC in 2017 with a BS in Systems Engineering and minor in Ops. and Supply Chain Management. I started my career in a 3 year Ops. Rotation Program at Legrand, where I have moved and traveled all over the country. I have now been a Project Manager leading strategic transformation projects for the past year.

When I'm not at work I love to travel, read, CrossFit, run (new hobby, training for a 1/2 marathon), spend time with family/friends/dogs, watch F1, and am huge a soccer fan. I'm going to continue manifesting that I will be going to the World Cup next summer when it's in the US, so that's my next big tripped planned at the moment.

This is my first semester in the MBA program and I'm excited to be starting this journey along with you all. I look forward to meeting everyone soon!

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Hi everyone! My name is Nathaniel O'Shields. I am originally from New York City but grew up in Asheville, NC. I got my undergrad in Accounting at UNC Asheville and am completing my MAC Program at NC State paired with several exciting MBA classes.

My inspiration for business came from growing my mother's gluten-free Italian bakery business 'Dolci Di Maria' into a regional delight. My professional work experience includes being a Director at Camp Rockmont, Tax Associate at Goodman CPA, and an Audit Associate at KPMG in Winston Salem, NC.

Some of my hobbies are playing pickleball, mountain biking, playing guitar, traveling the world, and taking my puppy Nova on beautiful hikes.

I am excited to learn and work with you all!

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Hi, I'm Sara Peele. I live outside of Smithfield, NC and a college graduate from NC State University, 2013. I majored in Ag Extension & Education with a minor in Horticulture. I currently work as an Office Coordinator for Helena Agri-Enterprises and I have been with them for 5.5 years.

I have 2 kids and a husband who LOVE NC State and love going to the football games and women's basketball. I love being able to share my love of the Wolfpack with my family and get to experience it from their eyes.

This is my first semester in the MBA program and I am looking forward to meeting and learning from everyone.

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Hi Everyone, my name is Bryan Barley. I graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in Supply Chain Management, where I also played Division II football. I’m originally from the Philadelphia area, but moved down south in 2020. I live in Charlotte NC with my wife and 2 daughters (and another girl on the way!). Currently I’m a Sales Rep at Martin Marietta Materials where we provide course and fine aggregates for major infrastructure, residential, and commercial construction projects to the Charlotte market.

In my spare time (however little that may be), I enjoy staying active, listening to music, learning new hobbies, shooting clay, and running for my life trying to keep up with my girls. I’m a huge college football fan, and very excited about the upcoming season.

This is my first semester in the MBA program and I am extremely excited to be here with you all. I’m looking forward to hearing and learning from many of you throughout the semester. Please feel free to reach out!

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Hello all! I'm so excited to be starting my MBA and meet all of you! I had to attach a wedding photo because I'm almost at the point where it's not socially acceptable to use one anymore. I'm from Moncure, NC (tiny town between Fuquay Varina and Sanford), and I currently live in Spring Lake, NC near Fort Bragg. My husband is an Army Officer, but he will be transitioning out next year.

I graduated with a BS in Accounting from NCSU and started working at Cisco following graduation. I worked in IT as a Business Analyst before moving into Business Operations and ending up in my current role as a Project Manager supporting two large financial institutions.

When I get some free time, I mostly spend it with my husband and our cats. We also recently started to foster two kittens, so our house is at cat-pacity. I'm also a huge personal finance nerd, and I've also gotten recently back into reading.

Please don't hesitate to reach out at any time! One of the things I look forward most to in the program is learning from all of you!

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Hello everyone! My name is Samuel Liu, and this is my first semester joining the MBA program here at NC State. I have a BA double majoring in Marketing and Management, received in 2021 from Florida International University. I spent a 4-year hiatus focusing on my career development in business administration before returning this year to pursue a higher education. I currently work at a commercial HVAC company as a fleet & project manager.

A little about my hobbies, I love spending time hiking in the Blue Ridge Parkway, carving twisty roads on a motorcycle, and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, whipping up wacky creations!

It is a pleasure to meet y'all, and I look forward to working together with everyone in the future.

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Hi everyone, I'm Dana Thacker, a registered nurse turned healthcare copywriter and entrepreneur. I spent several years working in various clinical settings as an RN. About three years ago, I launched The Pen RN, LLC. It began as a side gig. After a year of juggling shifts and client calls, I made the leap into full-time healthcare communications.

Nursing was meaningful work, but I discovered that business is where my passion lies. After dabbling in a few coaching courses that didn't quite hit the mark, I turned to NCSU's MBA program. My goal is to move beyond content creation and into leading strategy and managing large-scale projects.

Looking forward to learning and growing with all of you

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Hello everyone,

My name is Brad Basham and I am excited to learn alongside all of you. I graduated undergrad in 2022 from Washington and Lee University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Philosophy. I currently work as a demand planner at Collins Aerospace. In my free time I enjoy exercise and watching sports. I look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks.

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My most recent travel to Brussels in June 2025.

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My name is Alicia and it's lovely to meet you all. I'm from Connecticut originally and earned my Bachelor's in Psychology from UCONN (Go Huskies!), and earned my M.Ed. and Ph.D. in School Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University (We Are!) and moved to North Carolina in August 2021 to start my current position as an educational researcher and evaluator. In Pennsylvania, I was a practicing school psychologist, and though I loved working directly with children, I knew I wanted to create more systems-level change. I started at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation in the College of Education here at NC State and immediately knew that educational research - working directly with districts, government agencies, and nonprofits - was the type of work that would inspire me. I'm pursuing my MBA partly because I love to learn, but primarily to learn new strategies for developing new partnerships, looking at business sustainability in new and creative ways, and to broaden my skillset so that I am indispensable to not only my current organization, but any organization in the future.

On a more personal note, I live in Garner with my husband and our dog, Brutus. I love to travel, and have had the opportunity through my work to visit both Tokyo, Japan, and Brussels, Belgium. I also love to read, go to the gym, and play Dungeons and Dragons. My primary hobby is playing roller derby; I have been skating since 2015 and led Carolina Roller Derby out of the pandemic as their Training Director from 2021-2023.

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Hello Everyone,

My name is Fahim. I grew up in Bangladesh . I come from a background in civil engineering and construction management, with over 10 years of professional experience spanning two continents.

Over the years, I’ve worked on a variety of projects in roles ranging from assistant project engineer to project engineer, superintendent and estimator . Currently, I work at NC State University in the Design & Construction division, Facilities Services .

In terms of education, I hold a BS in Civil Engineering, an MS in GIS for Environment and Development, and an MS in Construction Management. I’m now pursuing my MBA at NC State’s Poole College of Management to broaden my leadership and business strategy skills. This is my second semester in the program.

On a more personal note, I live in Raleigh, North Carolina with my family. My wife and I recently( a year ago, feels like yesterday) welcomed our daughter- Arissa , she just turned one. Outside of work and school, I enjoy learning about new technologies , playing soccer and spending time outdoors with my family .

I look forward to getting to know all of you and learning together throughout this program.

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Hi everyone! My name is Sam Highfill. I graduated from NC State in 2023 with an undergraduate degree concentrating in finance. I was prepared to enter the corporate world when I got the opportunity to play professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies- so that has been my "job" for the past few years.

Playing for different minor league teams has moved me to Florida and now New Jersey, but I will spend the offseason (September-February) back home in Raleigh.

Once my playing career is up, I'd love to end up working in the front office for any professional sports team- my dream goal would be to become a GM.

I also enjoy golfing, working out, watching TV, and spending time with friends/family.

Looking forward to meeting you all soon!

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Hi, my name is Claire Atkinson and this is my first semester in the MBA Program. Although I live in Raleigh now, I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. I graduated from Davidson College in 2018 with a degree in history and French. After a year working as an English language assistant in several primary schools in France, I returned to the U.S. and got a job as a prospect research analyst at UNC-Chapel Hill. I now work as a Business Data Analyst at Red Hat and have been in that role for nearly four years.

Outside of work, I love to travel, read, spend time with family/friends, watch shows/sports and explore the food places in the Raleigh-Durham area. Looking forward to meeting you and learning about everyone's different experiences!

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My name is Madeline and this is my first semester in the MBA program! I grew up on a horse farm in Vermont where I developed my love for animals! I graduated with my bachelors degree in Animal Science from the University of Findlay in 2020. After college I moved to Washington DC where I interned at the national zoo and fell in love with animal nutrition. I moved to Cary for a job with Hill's Pet Nutrition at a territory manager and I absolutely love it. I decided to get my MBA to grow my knowledge on the business side of the industry as I can talk about animals but numbers and I are still working on becoming friends. I am recently engaged and my wedding is in May of next year. My friends say I am crazy for going back to school and planning my wedding at the same time but here we are! Feel free to reach out since I am new to the area still I will take any recommendations anyone wants to share! Looking forward to meeting you all!

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Hello Everyone. My name is Brandon. I grew up mostly in the UK, finished high school in Australia, and began college in Belgium. I had the amazing opportunity to work in supervisory roles in both Australia and Belgium, for two separate international retailers. Eventually returned to the States, where I completed my undergrad at Oklahoma State! Go Pokes!

After obtaining my undergraduate at OSU, I held several retail leadership roles with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service in Columbus, Dayton, and throughout the Middle East. Later I stepped into analytical roles with Whole Foods Market, Dollar Tree, and Harris Teeter. I'm thrilled to be starting the next chapter of my career with an MBA at NC State!

I currently live in Charlotte. Outside of work and school, I like to run, cycle, hangout friends, and I'm always walking my dog, Carmel.

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Hi, I’m Chandan! I live in Morrisville, NC with my wife and our two kids. I work at Microsoft as a Director of Business Operations, Experience & Analytics, where I get to use data and strategy to help teams make better decisions and improve performance.

Outside of work, I love exploring new technologies, analyzing trends, traveling, and photography. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m really excited to be part of this MBA journey, and I look forward to learning and growing alongside all of you this semester!

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Hello everyone,

I’m excited to begin this MBA journey with you all. I graduated from NC State in the fall of 2023 with a degree in Agricultural Business Management and have since started a career in sales, specifically in the poultry processing industry—a field that has been part of my life since childhood.

My family’s history is rooted in poultry. My grandfather grew chickens for Holly Farms, the first vertically integrated poultry processing company (now known as Tyson Foods), for fifty-two years. My father has worked for Tyson for over thirty years. Naturally, I followed the same path, working in chicken houses during high school and later in a processing plant for two years while attending community college in my hometown of Wilkes County, North Carolina. I do not mind being addressed as the chicken guy, I'm used to it!

I also served seven years in the North Carolina National Guard, including one deployment to the Middle East, which gave me the opportunity to pursue higher education. After graduating from NC State, I began my career with a personal protective equipment company, selling PPE to poultry processors like Tyson, Pilgrim’s, Mountaire, Wayne Sanderson, and Case Farms. Recently, in May, I transitioned to Morris & Associates, based in Garner, NC, where I sell poultry processing equipment across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Arkansas.

Outside of work, I spend as much time as possible with my spouse, daughter, and extended family. My favorite pastimes include hunting, fishing, and golf.

I look forward to getting to know each of you and learning together throughout this program.

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Hi everyone, my name is Brandon Sullivan. I have lived in North Carolina my entire life. I have lived at beach, in the mountains, and places in between. I currently call Boone, NC my home. I am a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, where I received my bachelors in Business Administration.

I currently work as a Clinical Recruiter for UNC Health Appalachian. As a Clinical Recruiter, I manage full-cycle recruitment across multiple healthcare specialties, including nursing, ambulatory services, and surgical care. I partner with hiring managers to source, screen, and hire top clinical talent while ensuring a smooth onboarding and orientation process that supports engagement and retention. I also oversee contract labor management, working with vendors and developing strategies to reduce reliance on temporary staff by converting strong performers into permanent hires.

I am excited to being my MBA journey at NC State! I hope to continue strengthening my skills in business knowledge, leadership skills, and prepare myself for future career growth. I hope to continue my work in HR in the healthcare industry.

In my free time I enjoy anything outdoors including hiking, kayaking, and walks with my dog. I also enjoy football season and hope to attend some NC State games! I am looking forward to working with you all!

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Hello everyone,

My name is Adam Gately, and I live in Moore County, NC. I retired from the U.S. Army last October after 20 years of service. Shortly afterward, I began working at an AI/ML software company, where I currently serve as a Business Development Executive. The learning curve has been challenging at times, but not nearly as difficult as I had originally expected. I genuinely enjoy both my profession and my organization.

I have always enjoyed learning, so I was excited about the opportunity to attend NC State and continue my education. I look forward to gaining as much as I can from the MBA program to support my current career and explore where it may take me in the future.

Outside of work, travel, and school, I enjoy spending time with my family. Our summers are filled with boating, camping, bike riding, and evenings around the fire. Winters are a bit calmer, often spent taking trips with family and friends.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and since I have not attended school in some time, I am learning to navigate the tools needed to be successful and to stay on top of assignments. I look forward to meeting all of you soon and wish you the very best.

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Hello, I'm Grant Swicegood. I'm from Charlotte, North Carolina and still reside in the area. I graduated from NC State in 2022 with degrees in Paper Science Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Since graduation I've been working for Eli Lilly at their new plant in Concord, NC. I'm working on their visual inspection and robotics equipment. In my free time I love to travel and spend time outside. I love to swim, play tennis & pickleball, and volleyball. I'm in my first year of the MBA program and am looking forward to learning more.

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My name is Mike Cush, and I currently serve as the IT Client Support Manager at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. I’ve been in this role for nearly two years, leading a team of seven, and I’ve worked in the IT field for about a decade. Before beginning my IT career, I served in the United States Air Force for seven years.

After my military service, I returned to school. I earned my Associate in Science from Wake Tech Community College in 2019, then transferred to NC State, where I completed my Bachelor’s in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in 2021. I continued on to pursue my Master of Science in Aquaculture, which I’m currently wrapping up—alongside this MBA program.

Outside of work and school, I’m married to my wonderful wife, Colleen, and we’re proud parents to two amazing kids: Ryan (2) and Kevin (3 months). In my free time, I enjoy fishing and spending time outdoors.

I’m excited to learn and collaborate with all of you this semester. Go Pack!

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Hi Everyone, it is nice to meet you. My name is Kelli, and I currently work at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions as a Marketing Specialist. I completed the Master of Management in Marketing Analytics at NC State last year and decided to continue my education with an MBA! In the MMA program, I studied abroad in Germany and Brazil. I highly recommend studying abroad if you can squeeze it into your studies!

Some of my hobbies include exercising, traveling, visiting new restaurants, shopping, and volunteering at church. I am also in the process of starting a luxury fashion blog. In addition to those hobbies, I am a bookworm. What is the latest book you have read?

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Hi everyone,

My name is William Kingery and I’m excited to be joining the MBA program. I live in Durham, NC, and earned my undergraduate degree in Marine Transportation from SUNY Maritime College in 2014. After graduation, I spent eight years at sea as a Chief Mate on oil tankers and picked up more than a few sea stories along the way.

I’ve since transitioned into software engineering and now work at a fintech consulting firm, where I focus on building technology solutions that support financial services.

Outside of work, I enjoy classic cars (I own a 1972 Triumph TR6), traveling with my wife, surfing, whitewater kayaking, and exploring new food and wine spots.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning together.

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Hi everyone! I’m happy to start my first semester in the MBA program. My career has already taken a few turns and here I am ready for another.

I got a BA in psych from UNC CH in 1999, a BFA in Sculpture from UNCG, and an MFA in Studio Art from Northwestern University. I was a practicing artist and curator in Chicago for many years. Then I started working in library technology as an agile scrum Product Owner and this job kicked off an unexpected career.

I just started a new job at Project Kitty Hawk as a Sr Technical Project Manager. PKH is a start up that partners with UNC schools to provide online education to adult learners.

I have two dogs, a cat, and I’m married and have a 12 year old kid who is about to start 7th grade. I love the beach, traveling, audiobooks, karaoke, and anything new to experience!

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I'm Dev Joshi, and I’m really excited to kick off my first semester in the MBA program. I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and I earned my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida.

Currently, I serve as the Global Materials Manager at Golf Pride, a leading manufacturer of golf grips within the sporting goods industry. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing global material planning, distribution, and logistics operations.

Outside of work, I’m a big fan of golf (naturally), traveling, and watching sports. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you and learning together throughout this journey.

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Hey everyone! My name is John Apa. I graduated from Youngstown State University in 2017 with a chemical engineering degree. I have been working with Merck vaccine manufacturing since then. I'm originally from western Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina in 2019. I am excited to start this program and get a better understanding of business.

I've worked on all different kinds of things over the years, originally working as a process engineer for steel mill and specialty metal finishing, moving to do capital projects as a project manager and process engineer. The last few years I have been focusing on vaccines, working in upstream processes, analytical methods, and supply chain/logistics.

My wife and I have 2 kids in first and second grade, so they take up a majority of my time. When I do have some free time I enjoy mountain biking, reading (scifi and fantasy usually), hiking, weight-lifting, and homebrewing different beer styles.

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Hello Reader!

My name is Joshua Corley and as a military brat, I have perfected the art of human conversation. Being a new kid to school every year, from 6th grade definitely has its perks. With that being said, I currently reside in Wilmington, NC as a Personal Lines Insurance Agent. I obtained my undergrad from Liberty University for business administration. Following in my fathers footsteps I served 9 years in the United States Navy as a medical professional. I've done some pretty intense things like holding a human heart in my palms, to cutting open chest cavities. Im really looking forward to the fast paced environment of the MBA world and all the connections and networking that comes with it. I just started doing Jiu-Jitsu and its my obsession. For anyone reading this if you have any pointers i'm all ears! Looking forward to meeting you all!

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Hi everyone, I'm Kali. I grew up in Holly Springs and graduated from NC State with a degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management. I currently work as a Senior Investor Relations Specialist at an accounting firm.

In my free time, I like gardening, crafting, and spending time with my family.

I'm looking forward to starting this program and growing as a professional!

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Hello all! My name is Rachelle Brigham. I'm originally a west coaster but have found myself all over the east coast for the past 8 years since being in the Army. Currently, I am stationed at Fort Bragg and work in Logistics.

I received my undergrad in Finance from Arizona State University (Go Devils!) and found my place as a stockbroker for about 8 years before taking a break to become a mom. I decided to rejoin the workforce in a completely different environment and have loved every adventure it has presented me with.

I have two beautiful boys who keep me busy and immersed in the world of Legos and imagination. In my free time, I love to hunt, work out, travel, and enjoy quiet time (very limited) on my patio!

Can't wait to work with and learn from this amazing group of leaders.

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Hi Everyone, I am JR Heinzerling. This is my first semester in the MBA program. I live in Clayton, NC so I am not too far from campus. I have been in NC for the majority of my life and met my wife at NC State when I was an undergrad (we were chemistry lab partners) The picture above is from our campus visit for my son, a rising senior, this summer he attended a conservation camp on campus. I also have a son who is a junior in HS and a daughter who is a freshman in HS. My previous education includes an Aassociate's in Mechanical Engineering Technolgy from Wake Tech and a BS in Industrial Technology from ECU. My hobbies include Scouts BSA with my 3 kids, anything outdoors, traveling and RVing with my family and tinkering with Jeeps!

I currently work at Zoetis (Durham, NC) as a Principal Engineer in R&D where I support Product development as a Project manager, Project team lead, Supplier development, Metrology and Facilities management liaison. In my past I have been in the Quality and Reliability Engineering fields working in several industries; Nuclear, Automotive, Industrial Packaging and Pharmacy Automation.

I enjoy leading and working with driven product development teams where I can see products from ideation thru to delivery to the customer. My Goal with achieving my degree is being able to strengthen my leadership to transition to leading product development full time instead of part time and potentially bringing one of my product ideas to market. I am planning to also seek the Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization certificate to support this and possibly the Sustainable business practices certificate which also interests me.

I am excited to get started in the program and this class! Cheers!

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Hello everyone, I am Teddy Cook and I am currently a Sr. Project Development Engineer with Carrier. I did my undergrad at the University of South Carolina in Mechanical Engineering! (Go Cocks). I am currently in my 4th semester as an MBA student (I know i am taking this class late but unfortunately i could not make the residency dates work in the prior semesters). My wife and I live in Kannapolis, NC with our two dogs Aspen(left) and Boston (right)

My newest hobby that i've started since the new year is strength training/body building. My wife and I enjoy the beach and the mountains and spending time with family. Looking forward to a great semester and getting to know everyone in this course!

Thanks!

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Hi everyone! My name is Scott Thompson, and this is my first semester in the Jenkins MBA program. I'm excited to learn more about how to lead people and become a better leader.

I work in University Communications and Marketing at NC State as the Director of Web Services. Within my role at the university I lead a team of seven and collaborate with many others across the university. A large part of my role is acting as product manager to help find scaleable solutions to users' web, communications, and marketing problems.

My undergraduate degree is in computer science and German, and I enjoy acting as a translator between my technical team and my many non-technical colleagues.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, flying, cooking, traveling, and learning about new topics.

I'm looking forward to working with everyone in this course and in the semesters ahead of me within the program.

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Caroline. I'm a transplant from Miami, FL and this is my first semester in the Jenkins MBA program. I moved to NC a few years ago with my Border Collie "Cooper" so we could have a yard since no one told me having a Border Collie would be so much work! I currently work at Duke University as a GME Program Manager.

I received my undergrad degree in 2020 mid pandemic and was eager to join the workforce. I was lucky enough to find a job in graduate medical education and have continued down that career path. I recently took an exam to become a certified training administrator of Graduate Medical Education and that inspired me to start my MBA journey.

In my free time, I like spending time with my family who I have slowly convinced to move here. I watch formula 1 every weekend and consider myself a self taught dog trainer.

Looking forward to starting the program !

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My name is Benedict Isaac, and I am a Design Evaluation Engineer at Analog Devices. I hold an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, where I specialized in wireless communications. In my role, I work on evaluating and improving complex electronic systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable and innovative solutions.

My long-term goal is to transition into leadership roles where I can bridge technical expertise with strategic management to drive organizational growth and innovation.

Outside of work and academics, I am actively involved in professional and community organizations, participating in Toastmasters International by serving an area with four clubs,

I also enjoy traveling, exploring new cultures, and spending quality time with my family.

I look forward to learning alongside my classmates and gaining diverse perspectives throughout this course.

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Hi Everyone,

My name is Fiona Ballard. Originally from Portland, Maine, I grew up and currently reside in Cary, North Carolina. I graduated from UNCG with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentration in Human Resources. This is my first semester in the MBA program, and while it has taken me longer than expected to pursue this goal, it has always been a personal ambition of mine.

My professional background is in Human Resources, with a passion for organizational design and employee relations. In my current role as Chief Administrative Officer for a technology cooperative, I oversee the Human Resources, Internal IT, and Cyber Security functions. I am fortunate to work with some very talented individuals, especially as I am still navigating the learning curve in IT and Cyber Security.

On a personal note, I am married to my wonderful husband, David, and we have three beautiful daughters who keep us busy with their sports activities. We love to travel whenever we get the chance. I also enjoy cooking and am constantly redecorating our home.

I am excited to meet and learn alongside all of you. Any tips or advice for navigating the MBA journey would be greatly appreciated!

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Hi everyone, I'm Johnny Heidt. I’m originally from Charlotte but currently live in Wrightsville Beach, NC. I graduated from NC State in 2021, where I majored in business with a concentration in finance. Since graduation, I have been working as a management consultant at ScottMadden.

I enjoy playing and watching most sports, traveling, boating, and snowboarding any chance I get. This is my first semester in the MBA program and I’m looking forward to meeting you all.

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My name is Max Wallis. I graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2017 with an undergraduate degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

After undergrad I have been working as a project manager in the logistics software and clinical trial industries. Most recently I have been working as a consultant specializing in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

Outside of work I like to golf, read, and spend time with friends. I enjoy watching soccer, football, and movies whenever I can.

I just started my first semester as an MBA student, and I look forward to meeting and working alongside all of you.

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Hi everyone, my name is Michael Hernandez. I am originally from Florida, but was stationed in NC from 2017-2021 in the Marine Corps. I earned my associate's degree while serving and moved back to FL to attend the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!). I graduated in 2024 with my degree in Electrical Engineering. Throughout that time, I was able to gain experience through multiple internships in unmanned aerial vehicles, renewable energy, and the commercial aerospace sector. Currently, I work at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) as an Electronics Engineer.

In my off time, I enjoy doing a lot of outdoor activities. You can always find me either fishing, running, or traveling and exploring new places. Currently in my travel era, anywhere near the coast is always my happy place!

This will be my first semester here at NC State. I am excited for the opportunity to expand my network and bridge the gap between my engineering skills and business acumen. Excited to meet everyone soon!

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My name is Sreeja Raghunath and I grew up in Dubai, UAE with my dad, mom and younger sister. Inspired by my dad who worked as a Mechanical Engineer for a ship building company and my mom who is a math teacher, I made the decision to pursue science and math in high school and then went on to my hometown to study for my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in Kerala, India. Soon after I was presented with an opportunity to pursue higher education in the US, and I completed my master's degree in science from University of Buffalo in New York. After marriage, I moved to California and worked in field of electrical design engineering for several years. In 2011 my husband got an opportunity to work with IBM located in Dubuque, IA and this led me to John Deere. I was fortunate to be offered a role in their validation and verification team and ever since there's been no looking back!

During my career at Deere, I have progressed through various roles in engineering, supply chain, and program management .

In my current role as Program Manager Electrification, I lead several cross functional program teams within the Electrification Module to oversee projects focused on developing and implementing electric machines for different applications across the company’s portfolio

I moved to NC in 2019 and live in Cary,NC with my husband, Vinod and my 16-year-old son ,Aarav .

Outside of work, I am a trained Indian classical dancer and I enjoy choreographing and performing at stage shows and cultural events.

I am always open to meeting people from diverse cultures , enjoy making new friends and look forward to meeting all of you during residency  .

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Hello fellow MBA 531 students. My name is Matt Royals. I look forward to meeting everyone in October. I work in corporate accounting currently in the independent retail sector. I have also worked in Aviation, and Healthcare as well as temping in a variety of other sectors like manufacturing. Excel is of course life. When I am not working, I enjoy reading, rewatching the same tv shows repeatedly, frequenting the gym, and spending time with family.

I am greatly looking forward to working through the coursework in this MBA program and most importantly getting to meet as many of you as possible.

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Hi, I'm Dorothy Aikin. I've lived in lovely North Carolina my entire life. I originally graduated from NC State with my BS in Chemistry and BS in Biochemistry, and loved my time here as an undergrad. I was a member of the Power Sound of the South, which meant I got to attend all the home football and basketball games! Since graduating I've been working in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. I'm excited to be back at NC State starting my first semester as a MBA student.

I love to read and hike in my free time. I'm also certified scuba diver and enjoy vacationing in tropical locales to dive and relax. I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone through the program!

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Hey everyone! I'm Julia and this is my first semester in the online MBA program.

I'm originally from Upstate NY, but I now call Raleigh home.

I graduated from NC State in 2019 with a degree in Material Science Engineering. After that, I started my career in aerospace manufacturing and then moved to biotech manufacturing at FujiFilm Biotechnologies. I made the transition last year from engineering to Program Management, after getting my PMP. I'm excited to begin this new opportunity in the MBA program to develop my business and leadership skills. I'm excited to network in person during the residency!

When I'm not working (or now studying) I enjoy reading, watching any documentary, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops. A personal goal is to travel more, and I'm excited to have just gotten back from a trip to Spain and Portugal!

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Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Jewell and I am the Communications & Engagement manager for the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center based here at NC State. But, I went to school (BSc & MSc) in Zoology studying animal behaviour.

I get to travel a lot of work and have been to most of the Southeast & Caribbean states & territories. Day to day, I manage all of the intern and external comms of the Center, mentor fellows and students, and seek out new creative ways to connect our science with the people who use it most.

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Hi everyone! My name is Carsyn. I work as an Events and Programming Manager for UNC Chapel Hill’s Nutrition Research Institute. My wife and I are native North Carolinians who have moved around a bit during our time together. We currently live in Kannapolis, NC but split our time between here and Washington, DC.

I graduated from Wingate University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Biology, with the original intent to pursue research. I have since shifted my career focus and now happily hold what I call a “science adjacent” position – that is, I get to be surrounded by science every day but contribute in much broader, community-focused ways.

My wife and I have two small dogs, Effie and June. We love visiting state parks and beaches and enjoy camping from time to time. I enjoy designing and creating stained glass.

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Hello everyone, my name is Rashmikanth Umesh, but my friends and colleagues call me RK. I’m currently working as a Senior Leader Managed Services at Cisco Systems. I began my career in India and, as part of my growth and opportunities, my wife and I relocated to the Raleigh region in 2021 to lead a high-performing team that serves some of the major financial institutions.

I completed my Engineering in Electronics and Communications approximately 21 years ago, and it’s hard to believe that I’m a student again after so many years. I’m excited to work with all of you.

I’m an avid technology enthusiast and have a passion for working on home automation projects. However, I recently discovered a newfound interest in woodworking. Inspired by this newfound interest, I decided to enroll in a woodworking class at the NC State Crafts Center during the fall semester.

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Hi! I’m Naghmeh Roohani, but I go by Melody. Melody is the English translation of my first name. This is my first MBA semester. Originally from Iran, I moved to the US at 16 and graduated from NC State in Mechanical Engineering with an Accounting minor. After eight years as a Project Manager at International Paper, I took a year off to travel and spend more time with family and friends. I joined Hitachi Energy 2.5 years ago as a Supply Chain Tender Manager for large-scale projects.

In my free time, I like traveling, reading, walking, CrossFit, backgammon, arts and crafts, and puzzles.

I look forward to meeting everyone and collaborating with you all.

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Hi everyone! My name is Sal Vera, and I’m originally from Mexico. I’ve been working with Siemens for over 11 years, where I currently serve as the Technical Talent Director for our Power Protection and Automation business. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Tec de Monterrey in Nuevo León, Mexico, in 2011.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing volleyball, exploring the outdoors, fishing, and kayaking.

This is my first semester in the MBA program, and I’m excited to keep learning and to connect with all of you.

I look forward to meeting everyone and growing together through this program!

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Hi everyone, I’m Andy Kant. I grew up in Massachusetts but have called North Carolina home for almost 20 years. I like to say I’m a reformed scientist—I did my MS in toxicology at UNC, and along the way I discovered I was more excited about entrepreneurship and innovation. These days I work at a MedTech incubator at UNC with an awesome team and constant influx of new ideas.

Outside of work, my anchor is as a dad and husband. Dance parties, Lego's and soccer games. I’m big on fitness and love to stay active—endurance running, cycling, and yoga are all regular parts of my routine. My newest passion is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which has been both humbling and addictive in the best way.

Looking forward to connecting and learning from everyone here!

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Good afternoon,

My name is Garrett and this is my first class in the MBA program.

I am a North Carolina native and now live and operate a farm in Caswell county, NC.

I served as a Calvary Scout in the US Army from 2013-2016. I graduated from NC State University with my bachelor's in forest management in 2021. I worked in the private industry as a wood buyer for about 2 years and then came back to NC State University in 2023 as a forest manager for the College of Natural Resources.

I have always been very business minded and have always had at least one self employed job on the side.

I am passionate about the outdoors. I love to hunt, fish, boat and train dogs. My wife and I recently had a baby girl, she has been such a joy but also a handful!

I am looking forward to meeting everyone and working with you all in this program!

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My name is Joshua Reaves and I’m excited to start my first semester as an MBA student and 28th semester here at NC State! I am the director of University Theatre here on campus and looking to broaden my education. I’m originally from Raleigh, born and raised, before moving to

Greensboro for my bachelor’s in theatre production from UNC-G. I worked in the industry for a few years before earning my MFA from the University of Cincinnati. I found myself back in North Carolina, teaching at Campbell before joining NC State in 2011. My wife is a high school theatre teacher and we have two middle school children and two pups.

Looking forward to meeting everyone over the next few years!

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Hello everyone, I'm Steve Fedewa and I'm excited to finally pursue higher education. I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2011, then commissioned into the US Army a few hours later. I spent 7 years managing Supply, Operations, and Logistics wherever Uncle Sam told me to. In 2018 I made the switch to Project Management in Clinical Research and have spent the last 7 years being the dumbest guy in the room (I work with Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, and the like).

After 8-9 years of not committing to a master's degree I finally decided to take the leap.

My wife and I recently celebrated our 14th anniversary. We enjoy taking our 2 boys (9 and 3) on big adventures, typically to different countries and usually outdoors but always with the purpose of exploring and learning.

I look forward to meeting everyone.

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Hello Everyone!

My name is Jesús Adorno. I am originally from Puerto Rico and now living in Raleigh, NC.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor concentration in Project Management from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Currently I am a Product Engineer in John Deere working on data generation. Outside of my regular work tasks, but within the same organization I am highly involved with the community as I am the College Liaison for John Deere SHPE.

When I am not working you can find me playing volleyball or running/jogging. Other interests that we can chat about: Formula 1, Coffee, NY Yankees, hiking, traveling.

Through this MBA journey I have three main goals: make meaningful connections while growing my network, develop a deep understanding about the corporate business model, and advance my career to a more strategic planning and managerial role.

Looking forward to connecting with you all.

Thanks!

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Hi everyone, I'm excited to start my first semester in the MBA program. I graduated from NC State in 2023 with a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering and began my career as an engineer at Siemens in Wendell, NC. After a year, I made the leap into my current role as Regional Sales Manager for Hitachi.

Outside of work (and now school), I enjoy working out, swinging the golf clubs, and playing piano. Always happy to connect, especially if it's on the course.

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Bobby Gollmar, I was born and raised in North Carolina, and I'm excited to start this first semester in the Jenkins MBA program. I studied chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill, and have spent the last 10 years as an analytical chemist and CMC consultant in the pharma industry.

Outside of work, I'm a dad first and foremost - I have an amazing wife, two young daughters, and a trusty corgi who acts as much like a big brother as he does a dog. In addition, I'm an avid gardener and baker, and enjoy video games.

Looking forward to meeting folks during the residency!

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Hello All, Like others I am starting my first semester in the MBA program. I graduated USF with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1994 and began my career as an engineer at Jacobs Engineering in FL.  My wife who graduated a semester behind me also with a BSChE began working as a Chemical Engineer for a Pharmaceutical Company in Miami, FL, where I transitioned to a year later.  I have been in the pharmaceutical industry in a variety of roles with several companies ever since.  I have been working at Purdue Pharmaceuticals in Wilson, NC since 2000 and have had a number of different roles in that time.  I received a Master of Engineering in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing at Stevens in 2017.  My son is a current student at NC State pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Accounting.

While away from work, which is rare, I try and spend time with my son as well as working out and riding a bicycle.  My job used to require that I travel every few weeks but that has lessened to once a quarter or so.  Sorry, the picture is 10 years old.

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Hey Y'all!

This is my first semester in the MBA program, although not my first time at State! I graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry back in 2022. During my undergrad I started interning at an industrial adhesive company, Parker LORD and I am still with them today. As an intern, I started out in the lab in product development and application engineering, and now I work in account management. My goal is to pivot into supply chain and eventually be a COO (fingers crossed lol)!

Outside of work, I love to cook, watch trashy reality TV, host friends/dinner parties and scroll Tiktok!

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Hello everyone, My name is James Von Canon. I was born and raised in Moore county as part of a military family. I am currently a legislative assistant at the General assembly, and graduated from NC State with a degree in International Relations with a minor in Russian Studies. Before my time at NC State I enjoyed a short-yet-fulfilling hockey career, which allowed me to travel and play around the United States.

My picture is from a seminar I gave to a group of Algerian students who were touring the United States. I am in the back holding the Red, White and Blue stuffed duck that they brought as part of their tour (who was affectionately named "Bob")

In my free time, I stay close to my roots, as I participate in a men's league hockey program in Cary and Garner. I feel it's a great way to keep myself in tune during the work week. (The 10:30pm start times can be a bit late though.)

I am excited to earn my MBA and gain the skills and strengths necessary to transfer and have a successful career in the private sector once my time in the public sector ends. I look forward to meeting and learning from the experience of my fellow MBA 531 classmates.

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Hi everyone! My name is Anna Hodgson. I am a Raleigh native and I Graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2022 with my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. I'm now working at Pfizer as a Plant Engineer. I am very technical minded but I have almost no business experience so I am very excited to start the Jenkins MBA program and develop my social/leadership/financial skills!

Outside of work I like to spend time with friends whether it's going to events downtown, playing tennis or volleyball, or going to North Hills or Southpoint to feed my shopping addiction. I also love to cook, paint and spend time with my cat Tina.

I look forward to meeting you all!

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Hi everyone! My name is Taylor Flach and I am originally from Elizabeth City, NC though I now live in Raleigh. This is my first semester in the MBA program but I did graduate from NC State in 2022 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Forensic Science.

I currently work for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, NC as the Assistant Director of Summer Programs. I also coach the Varsity Cheerleading team for the school and serve as the staff advsior for the Academic Competition clubs FBLA and DECA.

In my free time-I enjoy spending time with my friends, traveling and playing with my two cats! When I get the chance, I love going home to spend time on the coast of NC and enjoy being out of the water!

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Hi, I’m April Collazo—HR Director, Army veteran, and lifelong learner.

I grew up in Wisconsin but found my way to North Carolina years ago when I was stationed at Fort Bragg. After completing my military service, I earned my business degree and launched a career in Human Resources that’s spanned 25 years—mostly in tech, and now in the life sciences industry.

Today, I lead strategic workforce planning and talent development at a CDMO, partnering with executives to shape resilient, high-performing teams. I’m also pursuing my MBA to deepen my business and marketing acumen.

When I’m not working, I’m outside with my son and our dog Luna—whether it’s a walk, a hike, or just soaking in the Carolina sunshine.

I believe in transparency, trust, and aligning people strategy with business impact.

Let’s connect.

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Hey everyone, I am Ari Goulder and I'm from Greensboro, NC. I graduated from NC State in 2023 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and now work at Pfizer on the mAbs Tech Transfer team. Looking forward to meeting everyone and learning more about business and leadership. In my free time I like to root for the Carolina Panthers, (unfortunately), the Hurricanes, and NC State. Other interests include working out, golfing, skiing, traveling, and trying to read more often.

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Hi, there! I'm Marie Davis!

I grew up in Charleston, SC, went to college in Charlotte, moved to New Orleans, then Chicago, and now I'm back in Charlotte.

Along the way, I climbed the executive ladder in finance and accounting at Marriott International, pivoted to product management hospitality tech, got married, had a kid, co-founded a startup, and built a small fractional consulting biz (mostly in that order).

I specialize in product strategy and business/revenue operations. I love supporting the startup and founder community in the Raleigh-Durham and in the Charlotte ecosystems.

My daughter Rosie is 4 and has ✨ big sassypants energy ✨. My husband is a mechanic and a huge sports fan (mostly New Orleans teams). We have a black cat named Ouija.

Pursuing my MBA has been a dream of mine since I finished undergrad a thousand years ago, and I'm very, very excited to be taking this journey at NC State. My mom is an alumna from the late 70s, and it just feels like the best place for me to be. Excited to share this experience with all of you!! 💕

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Hello Everyone!

My name is Jeremy Lahn. I am originally from Philadelphia, PA, but I moved to North Carolina for work. I am currently serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer, with my professional focus revolving around medical operations and medical supply operations. At the moment, I am serving in a broadening assignment as the Chief of Human Resources, where I am gaining new perspectives and learning more about HR every day.

While stationed at Fort Bragg, NC (which means I get to experience the joys of I-95 during my daily commute), I currently live just outside of Raleigh with my wife, Morgan, and our dog Roxy. Outside of work and school, I enjoy swimming and trail walks (looking forward to the fall weather).

I am now entering my third year of the MBA program, and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey so far. I’ve enjoyed learning from and collaborating with my peers, and I’m excited to continue growing alongside all of you as we work through this course together!

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Hi all! I am Nikki Falk. I have been living in Dallas most of my life, but I just moved to Raleigh! In my undergrad, I attended the University of Oklahoma.

I am an Account Manager for Crozier Fine Arts, where I work with Museums, Galleries, and Private Collectors for all of their project and art logistical needs.

In my free time, I enjoy going outside, listening to music, and working out.

I am excited to meet you all!