Recent MBA graduate Chaz Hinkle will soon join The TriZetto Group, Inc., as the Manager of Organizational Effectiveness. Hinkle is a United States Marine who completed two tours of duty in Iraq with the Marine Corps, serving with the 1st Marine Division during the initial invasion and with the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines and 3rd Battalion 4th Marines in Fallujah from 2004 to 2005. While completing his MBA, Hinkle continued to serve as a Platoon Commander at a reserve unit based out of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hinkle’s international exposure broadened while studying at the Illinois MBA. During winter break in January 2007, Hinkle took part in the Illinois MBA’s study abroad trip to São Paulo, Brazil. He joined over 50 other MBA students at the Universidade de São Paulo where they studied the Brazilian labor market, social welfare institutions, and the landscape of the energy market in Brazil, among other things. Then, during winter break of this past year, Hinkle toured India for 27 days with several of his Indian classmates with whom he became great friends at the Illinois MBA.

Hinkle started his academic career at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned two bachelor’s degrees with highest honors in accountancy and finance. This spring he earned his MBA in finance and general management, graduating with honors.

On top of his academics, Hinkle was the Operations Manager for Illinois Business Consulting, the on-campus, student-run consulting organization; he served as the Vice President of Operations (Military Service Officer) for the MBA Service Association; and he was the Graduate Student Representative for the College of Business Academic Integrity Council. Regarding his involvement in these organizations, Hinkle said, “The Illinois MBA has provided me an incredible opportunity to transfer the leadership experiences I have gained in the military to develop myself both academically and professionally through opportunities unique to the Illinois MBA.”

After completing the first year of the program, Hinkle completed his internship as the Corporate Executive Intern for The TriZetto Group, Inc., in Newport Beach, Cal., where he worked and traveled exclusively with the CEO of the industry-leading provider of healthcare IT solutions. This experience directly led to Hinkle’s full-time employment with TriZetto. Hinkle has one more goal to achieve prior to settling into his new position, however. He will earn his USPA (United States Parachute Association) Skydiving License by taking part in the Accelerated Freefall Program at Skydive Chicago in the coming month.