Love of business, politics and sports inspires ambitious associate
As an intern, he helped pioneer a new product intelligence/analysis approach.
By Brady Sharp, Corporate Communications, Little Rock, AR, USA
Max Carranza made his first foray into business and politics at an age when most boys aren’t thinking much past their next snack.
“I was 4 years old,” he recalls, “and I convinced my grandpa to give me money for singing political songs for the party that my family supported.”
It was a sweet deal for the youngster, especially since it combined two endeavors that would become his passions and set him on a path that would lead to Acxiom.
Now a product analyst in the Global Marketing Organization, Max was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in 1985. His parents, both physicians, ingrained in him the importance of education – including the value of a multilingual upbringing. He learned English at his private school and spent time overseas studying French and German.
In 2003, after moving from Honduras to pursue his undergraduate degree at the University of Central Arkansas, Max joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He would eventually hold several SigEp offices, including president. Max was also the star intramural soccer player for the fraternity and won multiple intramural championships.
The fraternity was not Max’s only exploit at UCA; in a landslide election in spring 2005, he became Student Government Association president, a position that helped motivate his future political aspirations. His two years as president were filled with pushing the students’ ideas and even an instance of protesting on the lawn of the University president.
“That was a good time, but it was too bad that we didn’t burn any tires. I always wanted to burn some tires,” he says wryly.
After completing a BBA degree in economics/international trade, Max stayed on at UCA to pursue a graduate degree. While studying for his MBA, Max was hired as in intern by Duncan McClain, Acxiom vice president of product marketing. Together they pioneered a new approach to driving product sales in the “white space” where accounts were not fully penetrated.
“Clearly it was not a comfortable job to jump into, but Max was really productive in conducting the right research and reporting to drive change,” Duncan says.
While colleagues dubbed Max as a “poster child” for Acxiom’s internship program, he did not immediately join Acxiom full time. Instead, he spent a semester in Spain, completing a few graduate study hours. While there, Max traveled across Europe to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the region’s cultures. He eventually found his way back to the States, where last summer he married his college sweetheart, Mallory, and bought his first home in Conway, Arkansas.
A major recent highlight was his new status as a permanent resident.
“As a full-time employee,” Duncan says, “Max has since expanded his role to directly manage business intelligence around product and the installed base. He manages solution/product management reviews by the highest levels of the company and works with the Enterprise Project Management Office to enhance our process around investment management.”
Also at Acxiom, Max met Brad Crunk, another fraternity brother who already worked in Acxiom marketing. They now play together in a weekend soccer league. While talking about the sport’s ultimate professional prize, Max noted, “I have waited all my life for a year like this when Honduras is finally back in the World Cup. I may be taking a few days off this summer…”
Max Carranza looks forward to cheering for Honduras in the World Cup.
Max’s ambition has driven him to accomplish many things in only 25 years and he continues to provide valuable insight for Acxiom. His years of leading campus organizations inspired him to eventually start his own business in Honduras and pursue a career in politics. While chances are he won’t retire with Acxiom, he may one day look back on his time here as a crucial step toward his ascendancy to a third presidency—the one leading his home country.
INVITATION EISAA & COPA MATU INAUGURATION
ALL EIS ALUMNI INVITED
EISAA & COPA MATU invites you to: COPA MATU INAUGURATION
When :
Sunday December 20, 2009
Time : 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Where : EIS Cafetorium
Free Food & Drinks !
Our bylaws have been approved!
On December 14, 2009 EIS Alumni that attended the meeting, approved the Association’s (EISAA) bylaws. They will be published shortly.
Officer Elections at our next meeting on December 14th ..6:30 pm 2nd Floor EIS Library ..
All EIS Alumni welcome to join & vote!
Requirements to be a EISAA Member :
Must have graduated or attended EIS/EILL for at least 3 years. Must be 18 years or older.
3rd Official EIS Alumni Association held
November 23, 2009 Meeting Highlights
• We reviewed the new Official EIS Alumni Association Facebook group. In 4 days more than 250 EIS alumni have registered. We ask everyone to invite all your former EIS/EILL classmates to join.
• Different ways we have been recruiting members: Facebook, EIS website, word of mouth, edline..
• Thank you Victor Nuila for your recommendations. We all agree on getting the overseas alumni community involved. In the near future we will work on setting this up.. Great ideas, keep ‘em coming!
• Rossana Ordoñez (Class of 82) visiting from Costa Rica.. We’re very excited to see our alumni overseas joining us in our meetings!
• Two Committees were formed. One (#1) will review the mission, bylaws, functions, goals and Association’s structure and the other Committee (#2) will be coordinating the Association’s big presentation to existing and new EISAA members.. Committee # 1 : Augusto Escoto, Luis F. Mendieta, Sergio Fernandez, Carlos Ramirez, Ana C. Millares, Daphne Perez Committee # 2 : Walter Molinari, Bessy Arriaga, Juan Panayotti, Denia Baron, Gennie Marquez Collaborator : Luis Prado
• Both Committee’s and current EISSA members will focus on Recruiting, recruiting and more recruiting…
• Next meeting will be Monday December 7th at 5:30 pm 2nd Floor EIS Library where both Committees will present the proposals of tasks assigned.
Wishing everyone a Happy & safe Thanksgiving and Election Weekend! See you on December 7th!
New Alumni Association Mission.
EIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISSION
The EIS Alumni Association exists to promote strong ties between current and former students and their families as well to continue the traditions and values
that the institution has maintained for many years. The Association provides support to enable members to reconnect with other EIS graduates, provide a forum for professional and social networking opportunities and to make a positive influence on new generations. The organization strives to work on behalf of the entire EIS community, regardless of where alumni may reside.
EIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FUCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
? To connect alumni to EIS and each other
? Production of Alumni Section INTER Magazine, Maintenance & Enhancements of Alumni Section on EIS website, newsletters and e-mails that communicate with alumni on a regular basis
? Organizing Activities, Events & Fundraisers
? Organize campaigns to bring more alumni into the family (Recruiting)
? Serving alumni
? Upkeep of records and the alumni directory
? Obtaining special benefits for members
? Alumni excellence recognition
.
Alumni Opens Official Facebook Group
Alumni Opens Official Facebook Group - join at link.
Next Alumni Association Meeting
Next Alumni Association Meeting will be held this Nov. 23, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at EIS Library, second floor. Please invite your former EIS classmates and participate.
First EIS Alumni Meeting Held On November
Attention EIS Alumni! We want to hear from you!
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to be part of our EIS Alumni Steering Committee. It is a great opportunity to network and strengthen ties amongst EIS graduates and our school!
If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Bessy Arriaga at barriaga@seishn.com no later than October 15th. We look forward to your active participation!
Anyone who graduated from Escuela Internacional Sampedrana or attended for one full year qualifies as a member of the Alumni Association.
