Alumni Connections  /  Everyone Has a Story
  • Companies & Organizations
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
Home // Programs & Centers // Executive MBA // Meet our EMBAs

Mike Bozzo EMBA '11

Title and company: Vice President, Project Management, Capital One Bank, Commericial Banking Division

Hometown: Alexandria, Va.

Mike BozzoUndergraduate education: BA Government, William & Mary

Career experience: The Commercial Division is a large segment of Capital One’s Banking business and we serve the banking needs for a variety of medium-to-large-sized commercial clients.  Technically, I am a Project Manager, but I find I end up as more of a jack-of-all-trades, managing a variety of activities for the business.  Right now, that happens to primarily involve business leadership of a three-year, transformative IT platform implementation as well as leading process improvement projects and integrating operations after our bank acquisitions. I started working for Capital One immediately after I graduated from William & Mary in 1999.

Hobbies/interests: My job requires me to travel quite a bit, and when that is combined with the demanding schedule of a full-time Executive MBA program, it isn’t a surprise that I don't have much time for hobbies.  I spend most of the time that I am not working or studying with my wife, Katie, our two daughters, Mary Beth (5) and Molly (2) and Lucy our beagle.  However, when I do get spare time, I enjoy travel, reading, home improvement projects and amateur event planning with my wife.

Why did you select the EMBA program at William & Mary?

Since I received my Bachelor’s degree from William & Mary, I was already very familiar with the school and the demanding academic environment it provided.  Also, I was well aware of the caliber of the faculty at the College.  Personally, I was looking for a program that fostered a collaborative environment where students worked with their teams to solve business problems and Professors went out of their way to ensure that each student succeeds.  Williamsburg is also conveniently located a relatively short drive from my Richmond-area home.  The brand-spanking new facilities at Miller Hall didn't hurt either.  It's been very nice to be the first Executive MBA class to complete our full curriculum in the new building.

What are some highlights of your experience here?

Academically, I feel I have learned an amazing amount from my professors as well as from my classmates.  And I know that I have already been able to apply things I have learned at school to my daily job.  But what I will probably remember most when I look back are my classmates.  I did not know what to expect when I joined the program, but I have been grateful to find that I am part of a class full of fun, friendly, interesting and extremely intelligent and talented people that I am proud to have been able to work with.  I think that it is amazing that I can sit down with any of my classmates over lunch and have an interesting conversation with them, and I suspect that may not be the case at all schools.  As we are the first EMBA class at W&M to experience the 2-week schedule with overnight stays, we have been able to bond as a group and have a lot of fun.

What impact has the EMBA program had on life?

The program is a major commitment and it certainly means I get to spend less time with my family than I would like.  I am fortunate that I have a wife who understands and kids who have been very supportive.  And the bonus is that when the program is over, I can devote the time I used to spend studying to them.  Executives who have been out in the world of work and have been successful understand how to manage crazy schedules and a variety of commitments.  The EMBA program is just an extension of that.  Planning, time management and discipline are critical skills to balance everything and once you get up and running and into a rhythm it is surprising how much you can get done.

What's next for you?

In a way, I feel as if things have already changed for me.  I had never even taken a business class before, and now I feel like I am learning a whole new language and seeing a completely different world than what I saw before.  This ranges from making better personal financial decisions to being able to assess the impacts of international economic developments.  Even if I never start a business or become a CEO, I have benefitted from what I have learned in the program and the enhancements to my worldview and my decision-making skill sets. 

I received a promotion about six months after starting the EMBA program, so I look forward to applying the management lessons I have learned in my new role and continuing to add value for my company.  I feel confident that I have gained many tools that I would need if, down the road, I decide to start my own company or move into a different line of work.