Alumni at Work

Jim Ricketts, ‘92

President

JPR Computing Solutions, Inc.
My company specializes in technical consulting for corporate SAP R/3 implementations.
    I can honestly say without any reservations that one of the best decisions that I've made in my life was to not only attend St. Bonaventure University, but to select Computer Science as my major. The knowledge and skills that I acquired from the faculty enabled me to be successful in my further studies at the graduate level and throughout my career as well.
    Bonaventure enabled me to achieve my dream of running a profitable, independent business in a field that I love.

Steve Gewand ‘05

Software Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton
Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading global consulting firm for governments and large commercial clients.
    The St. Bonaventure Computer Science program prepared me for the workforce by teaching me relevant concepts and techniques, but most importantly, it taught me how to learn. This is one of the most critical skills to have in order to succeed in finding and excelling in a job. Additionally, the close relationship that the Computer Science Department keeps with alumni allowed me to secure a job even before finishing school.

Gabe Potter, ‘06
DBA/Developer
Oil Price Information Services
Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) is a  comprehensive source for petroleum pricing and news information.
      The Computer Science program at St. Bonaventure University gives every student the perfect balance of fundamental values, cooperative learning and problem solving skills. The mix between lecture and lab classes gives the student a great chance to thrive individually, as well as make a few friends down the line. As I grew with the program, the classes became more like a family, or a small community, where everyone was sharing their ideas

Kelly Thiebaud, ‘02

Computer Scientist

CECOM
I work in Project Management with several different network planning and network management systems for the army.  The systems we deal with are currently or will soon be used on the battlefield by warfighters.
    I loved my undergraduate experience at St. Bonaventure. The Computer Science department gave me excellent preparation for joining the workforce.

Eric Enser, 2001

Software Developer

Paychex

My work involves the creation and maintenance of a large number of separate applications, spanning various programming languages and development environments.  Currently I am on a small team developing two large online applications using Java and jsp technology.
    The St. Bonaventure Computer Science program teaches you how to think.  In the program, you develop a solid foundation of programming skills and computer knowledge.

Nick Jordan, 2000

Director Ad Network/Business Analytics

LookSmart

Nick Jordan is the Director of Ad Network/Business Analytics for LookSmart, an online media company and technology company, where he is responsible for strategic analysis of business needs. Nick's specific focus includes maximizing yield of distribution partners while maintaining a high level of traffic quality for LookSmart's advertisers.
    Nick is known for being a strategic problem solver with broad experience leading the design, development, and implementation of robust client-focused technology systems, while managing operations and project-based initiatives. His specialties include web analytics, traffic quality, yield management, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, click fraud detection.
 

Brandon Smith, 2001

Programmer

Nationwide Insurance
We design and implement new applications that are used by our agents and service centers. Currently we are taking old Legacy systems and converting them to Web Applications.
    I have been working on this project, mostly programming and designing but also doing some testing as well.  I have been using ASP, VB, VBScript, JavaScript, and SQL.
    The computer science department allowed me to have hands-on experiences and really prepared me well for my career.

Michael Nowak, ‘92

Systems Engineering Specialist

Oracle Corporation

I train and support technicians who use Oracle products.  My specialty is the Oracle database, so most of my customers are Oracle database administrators.

The CS program at Bonaventure taught me the fundamentals that are necessary for success in the IT industry.  It taught me how to think logically, which is a skill that can be applied to any technology. Not a day goes by that I don't use the skills I acquired there

Dennis Patrone, ‘96

Associate Professional Staff

Applied Physics Laboratory

Johns Hopkins University
I am a member of the National Security Technology Department, Information Technologies Group. My responsibilities include software development, mainly in object-oriented languages such as Java and C++, and specifying and developing distributed system architectures using technologies such as Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java’s Remote Method Invocation (RMI), and Jini Network Technology.
    I truly appreciate the time I spent in the computer science department at St. Bonaventure University. The faculty was always student-focused and extremely attentive. The department provided numerous opportunities to all students, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Michelle Conway, ‘98

Software Developer

Experian

I work with other developers as well as business and marketing people to develop business to consumer web sites. 
    The computer science professors at Bonaventure are skilled teachers, which is rarely a given in the field of computer science. Many students work side by side with professors on research projects and co-author papers with them. The department is large enough so that you get exposure to a wide variety of topics, yet it is small enough that in four years, you get to know everybody.

Matt Enser, 1997

Database Administrator

EDS

 My group, the Data Base Administration (DBA) organization, provides services for the management of data stores and their related application environments and infrastructure for various mainframe and client server database management systems. These services encompass the full life cycle of application systems from development through production support and include activities required for design, implementation, maintenance, backup, recovery, and performance optimization in support of application data bases.
    The computer science curriculum provided a solid background in the fundamentals and developed skills such as  self confidence, the ability to work in a team as well as in an individual setting, time management, and the ability to problem solve, that are needed in any occupation.
    The University assisted in the job-seeking process as well. Professors wrote letters of recommendation and contacted alumni, the school arranged on-campus interviews, and the vast alumni network provided invaluable contact information.

Michael Wangler, ‘88

Product Manager

Eastman Kodak Corportation

My current job position is Product Manager for Eastman Kodak Company. I work with multiple business units at Kodak regarding IT needs and establish global IT standards for use by Kodak employees. 
    St. Bonaventure prepared me well for a successful career and future schooling.  It also helped me to initially obtain my job at Kodak. During my senior year at SBU a Computer Science alumnus came back to discuss opportunities at Kodak.  

Karaly Lemon, 2001
Data Analyst
Alcas Corporation
I create and maintain a variety of administration and sales promotion reports and data
    The best thing about my undergraduate experience was the one-on-one attention I received from all Computer Science professors. We had smaller classes that allowed us to be more hands-on and to get more involved. After entering the workforce I soon realized that SBU provided me with a well-rounded background, which is accountable for my success today.

Barbara Snyderman, ‘93
Owner
Business Information Technology Solutions, LLC
I am an independent computer consultant providing web design, computer support, and training to small business and organizations in the Rochester, NY area.  After graduation I spent almost 5 years with a consulting company in St. Louis providing network support for various Fortune 500 companies.  I always knew that someday I wanted to be my own boss, so I went back to school on a part-time basis and completed my MBA.  Within a year of completing my MBA I opened my own business. 
    The education I received while at St. Bonaventure gave me a firm grounding in the fundamentals of computer science and allowed me to go in any direction I wanted to.

Jeremy Bolton, 2000
Programmer/Analyst
NY Central Mutual Insurance
I currently develop, test, and maintain programs that the company uses to maintain the insurance business.  These programs cover a wide variety of needs such as data storage, insurance quotes and applications, internet applications, and several inhouse applications for insurance claims and premium payments.  I use a variety of languages to develop different applications, some of which include Visual Basic, RPGIV, Lotus Notes, JavaScript, and others.
    The education I received from St. Bonaventure was top notch:  it was the reason that I was hired by NYCM.

Brent Worthington, 2000
Senior Technology Consultant
Booz, Allen and Hamilton
I provide software engineering and technology consulting services to clients in the area of Information Assurance research and engineering.
    The professors at Bonaventure want you to succeed. They taught me how to learn new material, which is the most important lesson one can take from an undergraduate degree program.

Andy Steinorth, ‘97
Database Administrator
EDS
For me the most valuable and memorable thing was the dynamic of the entire Computer Science Department, students and professors.  It was like a large family. Such a strong relationship develops that after a couple years it's as if you are a colleague.

Alumni, to add your name to the list please send a brief description of your employer and position to Robert Harlan.