Professor Earl Levith and Class,

My name's Michael Paretti, but feel free to call me Paretti or MP for short. Just a heads up, "Mikey" is a no-go for me - too many memories of those '80s commercials where "Mikey likes it!"

I'm from Sachse, Texas, where I live with my wife Lara and our three kids: Dylan, Marley Rae, and Dominic. We moved here in 2007 from Southern California. While Texas has become home, I sometimes miss those California ocean breezes and, of course, the tacos. Professionally, I manage a team of 65 Loss Mitigation Specialists for a leading private mortgage servicing company. It's a role I take seriously, especially now, as we work hard to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Our team's dedication to quality and empathy has led to high customer satisfaction and performance. We hit a huge milestone - 90.00% of our portfolio is current or paying ahead. This is unheard of in mortgage servicing.

Outside of work, you might catch me coaching football, being a supportive dance dad, fishing, or working on my '55 Chevy Bel-Air. I'm nearing the end of my journey towards a degree in Operations Management and Analysis. This class, Strategic Management & Business Policy, is my final hurdle. I've spent over two decades in mortgage banking and finance, honing my skills in operations management, particularly in loss mitigation. The lessons from this course will undoubtedly enhance my ability to strategize and implement effective business policies.

This class ties into my previous coursework and life experiences by emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and execution, themes that have been central to my career. The skills and knowledge I'll gain here will be instrumental in furthering my professional growth, allowing me to refine our operational strategies and improve our team's efficiency.

I'm enrolled in the Operations Management and Analysis program, and the assignments from this course will be vital. Understanding strategic management and business policy at a deeper level will enable me to lead more effectively and contribute to my company's success while achieving its overall vision.

As for Handshake, I see it as an invaluable resource for networking, exploring job opportunities, and staying informed about industry trends. It's a tool I plan to leverage as I continue to advance in my career.

Looking forward to learning from and with all of you. Good Luck, and Godspeed!

Question1: Guided Response

Respond to at least two of your classmates. In each response, address the following:

• Compare any feedback discussed, considering especially if the comment seems to ring true for your own experience as well.
• Discuss the growth strategy that your peer identified and how it compares to your own.

Your responses should each be about 100 words. Please read all your classmates' posts, whether you are responding or not. You may respond to more than two classmates in this discussion.