Zak Tomich

Zak Tomich, MBA '15

Regaining Clarity: From Public to Private Sector

Zak Tomich, MBA ‘15, spent a decade working in Congress and for the State of Michigan. He provided legislative counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives and worked on strategy design and enterprise information management for the governor’s office of Michigan. 

“I think people get into the public sector with good intentions, but there’s a gap between their intentions and the institutions’ vision and ability to execute,” he explains. “In Congress the gap was huge ― like a gulf.” 

Still, he saw opportunities. “In the executive branch, at the state-level, you’ve got to run something. Actually provide services to people. There are 50,000 employees and more than 25 agencies. I saw the positive impact that can be made, but also how valuable public-private-philanthropic partnerships are.” 

After a 13-year hiatus from school, Zak came back to U-M, where he’d gotten his undergraduate degree. The return was not without trepidation. “I had been out of school and in the public sector for so long, I wondered if I would be able to make the transition. I liked that the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) course offered a chance to dip your toes in the water and try on a new career while still within the academic program.”

His MAP project at McKesson offered the perfect test run. “We looked at how they could leverage data and technology assets to improve customer service. It was almost a one-to-one match with things I was doing with the state, only in the private sector. It was very validating. A great experience overall.”

Not only was MAP a good proving ground, it continues to help in his current position at Marketing Associates. “On a macro level it was a large organization bringing innovation to how they operate. That’s very relevant to what I do now in providing marketing and transformation strategy consulting to Fortune 500 companies.”

Having successfully transitioned into the private sector, he sees a difference in his job performance. “I have greater clarity and structure in my thinking. I’m better equipped with frameworks that shape the narrative for clients.”

Overall, the most beneficial aspect of the program for Zak has been the people. “I’ve gained an unbelievable network of friends and confidants. I still keep in touch, reach out for advice, and share things I’m working on. I look at them all as potential future collaborators, colleagues and perhaps clients. The people are the best value creator.”