The AIM Alumni Project
The AIM Program is producing a series of profiles about the professional work of graduates. The goal is to explore the diversity of work of the information manager and to examine how the field is evolving.
AIM alumni who wish to submit a profile should send an email to the AIM Program at aim@uoregon.edu, or call us at 800-824-2714, and we'll send you a suggested framework.
A Brewery and Project Management—An Interview with Michael Wright ('06), owner and brewer, The Commons Brewery
What prompted you to begin brewing beer? I started homebrewing about six to seven years back after being introduced to it by a friend. I was hooked instantly and the hobby grew over time to what it is today.
On your website, you talk about what inspires your beer. What inspired you to start The Commons Brewery? How did the name come about? Simply put, starting The Commons Brewery was all about following a passion. This is a simple concept we hear about for the vast majority of our lives but so often we have a lengthy list of reasons why we can't, or shouldn't do it. There comes a time, and this was true for me, when you have to take a leap and go for it. So many cliches, but all of them are dead on.
The name is meant to bolster the concept that the people and conversation that occur when you gather around beer are the most important thing. In many ways the beer should be secondary to the interaction you have with family, friends, and neighbors.
Project Management—An Interview with Connie Atchley ('10), senior project manager, SunGard Higher Education
What is your current job? SunGard Higher Education designs software solutions for higher education and purchases and implements complimentary products as part of a suite of solutions to meet the broader needs of a campus. They are specifically known for Banner, their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application. I am a senior project manager for SunGard Higher Education working on software implementation and technology projects in the Western Region. My region includes the Western United States, Western Canada, and Guam.
IT Leadership—An Interview with Travis S. Luckey ('09), director of Information Technology, VTM Group
What is your current job? I am the Director of Information Technology at VTM Group. In this role, I am responsible for short and long-term planning, P&L and IT budget management, IT and software development program management, personnel management, and vendor contract management.
Green and Clean Technology—An interview with Peter Batten ('98), general manager, ISS Green Fleet
What is your current job? I run a business unit of Instrument Sales and Services (ISS) that retrofits public and commercial "big engine" fleets with emissions reduction technology. We install equipment like exhaust catalysts, crankcase filtration, and cabin heaters. This is a big change from my last role managing a software company, but I was attracted to this "clean technology" opportunity because I know we make a difference in air quality for everyone, and especially for people like my asthmatic daughter.
Communicating as an Enterprise Architect—An Interview with Linda Ballas ('05), enterprise architect, Standard Insurance Company
What is your current job? I am an enterprise architect responsible for the domain of applications within Standard Insurance Company. Enterprise architecture is a department within Information Technology (IT), focusing on alignment of IT with company strategic goals and objectives. I also teach IT classes at the University of Phoenix, mostly for information systems majors, including various programming languages and other topics such as Internet security. I enjoy teaching business majors about IT—many of those folks only experience IT when their laptops fail or they get an error message in an application.
Information Architecture—An Interview with Joel Tachau ('07), director of user experience
What is your job title? I am an information architect (IA). My specific job title is director of user experience. And while I was unexpectedly downsized last month, I quickly found a similar position as user experience lead and software design expert. I want to emphasize that my project management training and technology management experience helped in the job search. I am currently using my project management skills and working on a portal project—both things I learned in AIM.