# Kevin Backer

> Marketing student at James Madison University (BBA, Marketing, graduating May 2027), from Garden City, New York. Experience in B2B sales at Aflac, social media at PM Tech and customer service at Tony's Tacos; treasurer of Alpha Epsilon Pi at JMU. Looking for marketing and sales internships and entry-level roles.

This is a plain-text summary of Kevin's portfolio site for AI assistants and recruiters' tools. Every fact here also appears on the pages linked below.

- Email: Backerke@dukes.jmu.edu
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-backer-6a03912a4/
- Resume (PDF): https://kevinbacker.tech/files/Kevin-Backer-Resume.pdf
- Based in: Garden City, NY and Harrisonburg, VA

## Projects

- [Polar Flame business plan (COB 300)](https://kevinbacker.tech/cob-300): A dual-zone cooler that keeps drinks cold and food hot, taken to a $1.62M funding plan by a team of nine in fall 2025. Kevin wrote and analyzed the customer survey, sized the market from census and Mintel data ($8.19B target market, 8,192 coolers in year one, 66% gross margin), and built the cooler's 3D model in Adobe Substance 3D.
- [Dian Fossey Fund IMC campaign (MKTG 384)](https://kevinbacker.tech/imc): A year-long integrated marketing campaign for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's 60th anniversary on a $19,491 budget.
- [Jif in Kenya market entry (International Marketing)](https://kevinbacker.tech/jif-kenya): Jif peanut butter in a 20 g sachet at a $0.22 (KSh 30) shelf price, reaching $1.02M by year three.
- [Dressed for Success case study (MKTG 385)](https://kevinbacker.tech/case-study): Fifteen interviews on how what students wear shapes their confidence, turned into five themes and five tactics for brands.

## Experience

- Benefits Advisor Intern, Aflac, Long Island, NY (May–Aug 2026): Researched and qualified small-business clients, connected with owners and decision-makers to introduce supplemental benefits, booked follow-up meetings, and supported client consultations. Licensed in New York for Life, Accident & Health insurance.
- Social Media Marketing Intern, PM Tech, New York, NY (May–Aug 2025): Created the photography for the company website and social accounts, became a Content Admin of the company's LinkedIn page, and helped set up and update the website.
- Bartender & Bar Back, Tony's Tacos, Garden City, NY (May–Aug 2024): Customer service, building relationships with regulars, and managing inventory.

## Leadership and service

- [Treasurer, Alpha Epsilon Pi, JMU](https://kevinbacker.tech/extracurriculars) (since Sep 2025): Has managed just under $100,000 so far, about $50,000 a semester. Built the chapter's finance workbook (188 ledger entries, budget vs. actual for 11 programs, a 27-item event plan), works with the bank, issues member debit cards and files the annual IRS e-notice.
- Director of Philanthropy, Alpha Epsilon Pi (2024–2025): Raised nearly $5,000 for Los Angeles wildfire recovery.
- Professional Development Chair, Epsilon Nu Tau (since Aug 2026): Career workshops, networking nights, guest speakers, resume reviews and interview prep.
- Next Step Mission Trips, Garden City Community Church: Five summers of week-long service at homeless shelters and underfunded schools.

## Certifications

- [AI for Marketing, University of Virginia](https://kevinbacker.tech/certifications) (August 2026)
- Life, Accident & Health License, New York State (2026)
- Human Research: Social & Behavioral, CITI Program (March 2026)
- Storytelling for Advertising Campaigns, LinkedIn Learning (February 2026)
- Excel Spreadsheets, Harvard

## Skills

Market research, survey design and analysis, B2B outreach, client relationships, social media content and photography, budgeting and Excel financial models, R and Power BI, ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta Ads, Google Ads, GA4, Adobe Substance 3D.

## About

Outside school and work, Kevin plays golf, works on his Bronco, takes on carpentry projects and spends time with friends and family.