Patrick T Drake

CIMBA kind of popped out of nowhere for me... I was working on a political campaign and decided that an MBA would be helpful to my career. I got an email from Al soon after taking the GMAT in the summer of 2006 and was on a plane less than two months later (looking back, it is quite shocking that I got my visa that quickly from the Italian consulate of Detroit). It was really a dream come true for me as I had always wanted to live in Europe and this was an opportunity too awesome to pass up. In December I met the person who would eventually become my wife, a CIMBA undergrad alumna from the previous year. My team's consulting project was with Manfrotto, a high-end camera accessory company based in Bassano del Grappa which was an added bonus for me; I am really into photography! Unfortunately, they declined to give me any equipment as a "thank you" for a job well done, but my group did win the Stefano Andreello Project of the Year award and I am very proud of that. Since returning to the United States I have worked several jobs, each with increased responsibilities. CIMBA certainly prepared me to take on any challenge and learn new roles very quickly. I definitely hit the ground running, again and again. In 2010 my brother John will be attending CIMBA and I wish him the best of luck!