Let me christen this year's first blog post by giving you an introduction to who will be guiding you through the B-school jungle. So belt up, strap in, grit your teeth, and flex your glutes as we begin this jubilant and joyous journey!!!
The name's Buzz Black. What can I say, my parents have a penchant for alliterations. Dwight Schrute from the famous American comedy "The Office" was once asked in an interview how he would describe himself. I echo his answer in describing myself: "How would I describe myself? Three words: hard-working, alpha male, jack hammer. Merciless. Insatiable!"
If you looked at my childhood migration pattern it would look like the path of a pinball bouncing around the west coast and mountain west. I was born in Sacramento, then moved to Salt Lake City, then Portland, then Houston, then back to Salt Lake City. Nomadic, I know.
After high school I spent two years in Mexico for a volunteer church missionary program. This photo describes how much fun I had down there. I love my good friends from Mexico!
Upon returning from Mexico, I attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Finance. I met my wife at school and we got married a few months before graduation. Her name is Camille. She is the jelly to my peanut butter.
Pure Joy
I have spent the last three years working at Merrill Lynch's Private Banking & Investment Group in Los Angeles. In fact, the UCLA campus is just a stone's throw away from where I lived. Three years of hard work didn't come without any cool trips! Check out some pics from a trip to Japan, India, and British Columbia.
Golden Palace in Kyoto, Japan
Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Cycling near Victoria, British Columbia
A little more about myself...I love sports!!! You name it--baseball, basketball, football, cycling, MMA--it keeps my life full. If I'm not working or hanging with Camille it's likely that I'm on a court or field somewhere playing some ball.
Fun fact: my wife and I are expecting our first, a baby boy, this August. I mean, business school isn't going to be that busy, er, right??? Should make for a fun experience. I can't wait for the little guy to arrive!
That's me y'all. I hope we can relate on either an electronic or subatomic level through these posts. And most importantly, I hope my subsequent posts give you a crystal clear, HD, 1 bajillion mega pixel image of what it was like applying, what it is like waiting to start, and what it will be like when things get rolling. Keep your eyes on the prize and go big or go home! Signing off...
