Q&A with Peter Bacich, April YP of the Month
Name: Peter Bacich
Title: Business Analyst- Healthcare Economics
Company: Rocky Mountain Health Plans
What are some of the things you do at your job?
Right now, I mostly focus on data and financial analysis related to our Affordable Care Act membership. This includes researching data integrity issues related to the data we submit to the Federal Government as well as tracking and forecasting the financial performance associated with these lines of business.
2. What is your educational background and do you have any special certifications?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Colorado-Boulder. I am also working on a Professional Certificate in Accounting through CSU and I am thinking about starting a Master of Finance program through CSU sometime in the near future.
3. Why and how did you come to locate in the Grand Valley?
I would almost say I ended up here by accident because when I was younger I never would have guessed I would ever live in GJ. Back in the summer of 2014 I packed up and moved from Colorado to Tampa Florida. After a little over two months I realized Tampa wasn’t the place for me so I moved back to Colorado and took a job leading a business expansion for a small company who was setting up another branch down in Montrose. After 10 months in Montrose I came across the opportunity with RMHP and I decided to move up to Grand Junction prior to even interviewing for the position. Fortunately I was offered the position 3 months later and everything worked out.
4. What do you like about the area?
First of all, GJ has great access to incredible outdoor recreation. Not only is there plenty to do within the Grand Valley itself but you never have to drive more than a couple of hours to find incredible hiking, biking, camping etc.
Second, Grand Junction and Western Colorado have a great and growing beer culture. Beer is a hobby of mine so I’ve really enjoyed discovering Kannah Creek, Ale House, Rockslide, Colorado Boy, and Palisade Brewery.
Third, the Grand Valley has a relatively affordable cost of living which makes it so much easier to get established and start building a life. I’ve known so many people in bigger cities who make a really good wage but really can’t get ahead because they spend so much on rent and bare necessities.
5. What do you do in your spare time?
-In the summer, my girlfriend and I try to plan a hiking/camping trip almost every weekend. When we aren’t out of town we are usually enjoying patio season somewhere in the area, watching movies, or hanging out at Barnes and Noble. Unfortunately, between work, school, volunteering, etc. we don’t have a lot of free time so we try and maximize it as much as possible.
6. What advice would you give to people thinking about moving here?
The first piece of advice I would give is network. I’ve lived in a lot of places and meeting people has been difficult everywhere but it can be particularly difficult in small cities and towns.
My second piece of advice would be to explore. Not only is there plenty to do in the valley itself but we are only 90 miles north of the San Juan mountains which I consider to be some of the finest wilderness in the entire country.
7. What is your favorite thing about YPN and why is it beneficial to be a member?
As I mentioned previously meeting people can be very difficult in smaller communities so for me the networking aspect of YPN has been extremely beneficial. Through YPN I have had the opportunity to meet some really great young people who are genuinely interested in becoming involved and continuing to improve the community.
Additionally, I have really come to enjoy the lunch conversations as well. It’s a really great opportunity to meet and learn from various community and business leaders from the Grand Valley.
8. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
The TV show ‘Burn Notice’. The acting, writing, and plot lines are usually pretty laughable but I enjoy all the spy craft they demonstrate as well as seeing how they solve their problems.
