James Patrick O'Brien

55 Tarence Street * Rockville Centre, NY 11570 * (503) 550-6857 * job4d48c@westp

ost.net
________________________________________
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Manager / Assistant Director / Vice President / Senior Analyst
Competitive Intelligence / Financial Services / Health Insurance Industry
Forward-thinking and versatile Competitive Intelligence practitioner offering 9+
years of successful experience in positions of progressive responsibility withi
n financial services and health insurance industries. Proactive and insightful i
n conducting market research, analyzing competitive intelligence, and recognizin
g industry trends to develop innovative strategies that increase sales, enhance
product offerings, and support corporate growth in highly competitive markets. S
killful in analyzing statistical data to make sound, accurate decisions and leve
rage reliable solutions to senior executives on key business functions. Recogniz
ed throughout industry as an intelligence expert-delivered presentations at past
two Blues Intelligence Group national conferences. Passion to succeed and build
relationships with cross-functional teams to achieve targeted goals. Core Compe
tencies include:
* Strategic Business Planning * Project Management & Leadership * New Business
Development
* Data Collection & Analysis * Product Marketing & Launch * Consulting
* Financial Management & Analysis * Risk Management * Cost / Benefit Analysis
* Performance & Process Improvement * Team Building / Management * Report Gener
ation
* Budget Management * Strategic Sourcing * International Business
* Market Analysis * Cost Control / Containment * Audits
* Customer Needs Assessment * Staff Training & Development * Managing Diversi
ty
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
REGENCE - BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF OREGON, Portland, OR
2005 - 2010
[Regence is a Blue Cross Blue Shield licensed health insurance company that serv
es the states of Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Washington, employs 5,500 people, and
generates annual revenues of $2 billion.]
Directed overall operations for company's competitive intelligence (CI) function
, including management of CI budget. Utilized CI to increase sales and enhance p
roduct offerings. Wrote white papers for CEO / Board of Directors that provided
coverage on health care topics and competitors. Prepared quarterly market update
s, which included analysis of competitor health plans. Collaborated with sales t
eam to create or retain business by providing competitive information relevant t
o a given account. Worked with the Pricing Committee to provide benefit adjusted
relativities, identify where Regence was priced, and make recommendations. Prov
ided quarterly competitive landscape analysis to product managers. Teamed with o
ther business intelligence managers annually to establish budget membership proj
ects. Authored competitive section for annual marketing plan.
Supervisor 2008- 2010
* Revitalized Regence's competitive intelligence program from top to bottom to b
ecome a key business function that empowered sales to retain key clients such as
Boeing and Oregon Association of Educators.
* Sourced, trained, and managed a competitive intelligence analyst to create a p
owerful team dynamic.
Senior Analyst 2006-2008
* Developed a CI Intranet Web site with 20+ competitor profiles to provide info
on competitors' vulnerabilities.
* Increased accessibility to company's CI to become more proactive in supporting
business operations.
* Created the "Weekly Wrap-Up," a weekly summary of news related to the health c
are industry, to keep senior management apprised of industry updates and trends.
Analyst 2005 -2006
* Prepared "Competitive Bytes" to support sales team that provided breaking news
on competitors.
* Achieved A- or higher ratings from A.M. Best Company every year by communicati
ng the strength of Regence's financial position for annual rating reviews.

Continued...
James Patrick O'Brien Resume / Page 2
J.P. MORGAN CHASE, New York, NY
2001 - 2005
[J.P. Morgan is a leader in financial services with annual revenues of over $100
billion and 232,000 employees.]
Assistant Treasurer (2004 - 2005)
Served as Treasury Services CI Analyst responsible for preparing competitor prof
iles that detailed product offerings, market position, and marketing / pricing s
trategies; reports provided SWOT analyses and evaluation of core product offerin
gs. Wrote "CI Newsbrief" that covered global developments in the treasury servic
es industry. Provided special briefings, allowing senior management to respond q
uickly to rapid turnaround time deliverables.
* Identified and established relationships with 150+ subject matter experts acro
ss the heritage JPM and Bank One organizations during first 6 months in new role
, increasing efficiency and organization of CI operations.
* Planned and held learning sessions with subject matter experts to gain profici
ency in their fields.
Internal Consulting Services, Analyst (2001 - 2004)
Worked in 5 divisions during JPM's leadership development program. Provided seni
or management with a data-rich scorecard that focused on the disparity in human
capital retention, which stimulated efforts to enhance talent retention. Determi
ned data requirements for a centralized, companywide expense and spend managemen
t portal to analyze multiple levels of information. Analyzed risk data, capitali
zation comparisons, and provided business decks for monthly CFO meetings. Implem
ented a scorecard to assess quantitative value adds of pipeline projects.
* Designed a Sales & Trading 101 presentation as an educational / recruitment to
ol, which was used during visits to college campuses.
* Nominated to serve as member of the Global Finance Diversity Committee: worked
with senior management to analyze diversity metrics and develop a diversity sco
recard.
* Headed Internal Consulting Services Diversity Committee: coordinated training,
educational settings, and cultural events for 40 members of program.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
B.S., Commerce with concentration in International Business & Finance, 3.7 G.P.A
.
Beta Gamma Sigma - Top 7% of graduating class
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Danish International Studies Program
AFFILIATIONS
Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
National Association of Health Underwriters
Human Rights Campaign
Front Runners New York
Arthur Anderson Alumni Network
LANGUAGES
Working knowledge of Spanish and Danish
PRESENTATIONS
O'Brien, J.P. "Critical Illness Insurance." Blues Intelligence Group National Co
nference. 2008. Meredith, NH.
O'Brien, J.P. "UHC: A Formidable Threat." Blues Intelligence Group National Conf
erence. 2007. St. Paul, MN.