Research Center

JEFF MCDONALD
Property & Casualty Actuarial Research Mgr.

Hometown:
I have several — Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana; Troy and Northville, Michigan; Bloomington, Illinois.

Alma Mater:
Ball State University
(Actuarial Science, Business)

Most vivid college memory:
Being able to look back at my college years and realize how much studying, working, and other “miscellaneous activities” I was able to pack into that extremely busy and rewarding time! (Yes, it’s a pretty generic answer without giving away too many secrets!)

Favorite class in college:
Classes that didn’t start at 8:00 am

Least favorite class in college:
8:00 am classes

College activities/jobs:
Intramural tennis and any other sport; I also worked at a grocery store, which was a great job but was a far cry from something as beneficial as working at a Research Center!

Favorite Restaurant in C-U:
Biaggi’s

Favorite Music:
I listen to most music, but enjoy 80’s & 90’s the best

Favorite Movies:
Star Wars; any computer animated movies for kids that are relatively entertaining for their parents as well

Favorite TV Shows:
Sports

Favorite Quote:
“If you are in a car that is traveling at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, do they do anything?” -Steven Wright

Career:
With job rotations available, I have held many different positions in the Property & Casualty Actuarial Department at State Farm. Before working at the Research Center, I recently managed State Farm’s auto and homeowner pricing for a number of states throughout the country. Currently, my main responsibilities include managing the actuarial research done at the Research Center.

What I like most about my work at the Research Center:
It is always rewarding to show students and others what it is like to work for a great company that highly values you and your work.

My future vision for the Research Center:
The Research Center would be expanded to accommodate additional areas and functions at State Farm with a larger number of available internships. We would also be providing cutting-edge research to contribute to State Farm’s continued success in helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.

Outside of work, I think I’m really good at:
I can hold my own at pop-a-shot basketball