Research and Development Center

BLAKE

Hometown: Peoria, IL 

Major / Minor: International Business with French minor

Extracurricular Activities @ U of I: Zeta Psi Fraternity, Illinois Business Immersion Program and Illinois Business Consulting.

Favorite Class @ U of I: It is an honest to goodness tie between BADM 382: International Marketing and DANC 100: Introduction to Contemporary Dance… it’s two Gen Eds in a 3 hour course.  You learn about dance from around the world and you meet tons of ladies!

Hobbies: Gourmet Cooking, Off-Roading, Mudding, Euchre, Sports and reading about the automotive industry.

Favorite Quote: I have quite a few, so I hope this will suffice.
"Don't put twinkies on your pizza" -Heavyweights.

Hero/Role Model: My dad

Favorite Restaurant in C-U: Silver Mine Subs, Dos Reales, Pita Pit, Rosati's, Garcia’s, Chipotle, Alexander's Steakhouse, the Original Pancake House and Hickory River.

Favorite Music: I can appreciate all forms of music except Country.  Furthermore, I detest all forms of "Emo".

Favorite TV Shows: Frasier, LOST, the Office and SportsCenter.

Best college advice:  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—you’re going to make them.  Get out and try different activities.  Join clubs, try a different restaurant every time you go out to eat and get to know your professors—they have tons of knowledge that they’re willing to share…from study techniques to “how to do well in my class”  Lastly, take out collegiate loans while you can and enjoy life… never again will it be acceptable to be in debt, so live it up!

Project Work @ RC: My primary project is analyzing the use of Unified Communications (e-mail, voice, IM, presence, VoIP, etc.) and their impact on Generation Y and the workforce.  How does this technology impact decisions?  What companies use this technology etc.

My secondary project has me as a Project Lead for one of this summer’s cross-disciplinary, team-based projects examining  Touch Sensitive Computing.  My team and I are to figure out what value this type of technology can provide State Farm employees as well as customers.

What brought you to the RC? I had been in frequent contact with John Quarton and I have to say that he was a huge part of why I decided to work for State Farm.  John is a man with a vision.  He is passionate and he understands my age group.  And those three elements are a killer combination when put into action.  I admire that and wanted to be a part of it.

Best thing about working at the RC: It's gotta be the environment!  The RC is relaxed and full of snacks and fresh fruit.  We work with other college-aged students, the facility is air-conditioned and it's not too far from home.

Most surprising thing you’ve learned about State Farm: That State Farm is more than just insurance.

Life Aspirations:  I want to live an international life.  We live in an international world and to have a position where I can make a large impact is a dream of mine.  I want to network and build relationships around the world in business and in life.  I would like to be involved in international politics someday perhaps, but when I am much older.  I really would like to become the next Mr. Rogers for youth; showing them businesses from around the world, sparking dreams and aspirations so that we can continue to live in a progressive world, always thinking about the future.