Sloan management senior Jason Forte '09 was awarded an MLK Leadership Award for his ongoing work with the Undergraduate Association, for which he has served as Vice-Chair and Senate Speaker.

Forte believes in the importance of a good relationship with the MIT administration. During a debate for Undergraduate Association elections, he suggested working with “influential people who have the administration’s ear.” “It will be very hard for the administration to ignore Ray Stata ... or David Koch,” he said.

When asked about his ticket’s distinguishing factors, Forte pointed to the ticket’s experience and existing relationships with administrators, saying, for example, that he has attended MIT Corporation meetings and met the Corporation’s members. A member of the Chocolate City Living Group, he also suggested working more closely with dorm governments and The Tech to get students more involved.

In the summer of 2008, Forte worked as in investment banking equity for Credit Suisse in New York City, researching companies in the machinery, engineering, construction and environmental sciences sector.