Hi my name is Mike and I started in the IT space in 1995 as a systems analyst at MCI.  I have since worked at several other large well known companies (Bellsouth, BofA, Wells Fargo, to name a few). I have a business degree in Finance and made a deliberate transition into IT because I saw that there would be good synergy and marketability for someone who could combine the two skills.  I've programmed in SAS for several years prior to making the transition to the business analysis side of things.  I also own my own company and sought out a community/forum such as this to be able to network with other BA's and expand my skills, network & company.  I have 20+ years of business experience and have worked in several industries (i.e. telecom & banking being the 2 most common).  My company was originally formed in the merchant services space with a commercial funding angle. I have great connections for government contracts, as well as, I am affiliated with a company whose service is to properly prepare, structure and align companies who are interested winning government contracts.

With that said, I have recently landed a BA contract with a recruiting company in Atlanta and am on assignment at a large regional bank.  I was able to go corp-to-corp with the recruiting company and I love the way that feels.  Therefore, my goal is to learn as much as I can about this growing industry, identify a niche, expand my network and build a very successful company in this space and take as many of you with me as I can!  I am happy to have found you!