Montgomery Blair
Montgomery Blair
Chief Analytics Officer at Go Subscription
With over two and a half decades of expertise in revenue management, pricing, supply optimization, digital marketing, customer experience, and advanced analytics, Montgomery has consistently harnessed the power of data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and success. His diverse experience encompasses both client and vendor perspectives, enabling him to help design, develop, and implement a wide array of solutions that cater to the unique needs of businesses of all sizes—from dynamic startups to Fortune 500 giants.
As a pioneer in decision science, Montgomery has been instrumental in establishing internal teams and departments within organizations while also sharing his knowledge through publications, conferences, and guest lectures at prestigious universities. He currently serves as the Chief Analytics Officer at Go, where he also spearheads Marketing and Customer Experience initiatives. Previously, Montgomery held key positions at Hertz, leading their operations research and data science team as Vice President and Principal Scientist, and at Avis Budget Group as Vice President of Science and Analytics for seven years.
His earlier accomplishments include leading a team that introduced revenue management to the multi-family housing industry and heading a team at PROS that designed and developed the first contribution management solution integrating supply and demand optimizations. As a trailblazer in the field, Montgomery joined forces with Andy Boyd over twenty years ago to establish the Revenue Management and Pricing Section of INFORMS, where he held various leadership roles, including Vice Chair, Chair, and Board Member. Additionally, he contributed to the founding of the Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management alongside Ian Yeoman, serving on its Board of Editors for a decade.
Montgomery is a proud graduate of the Colorado School of Mines and has held the esteemed CAP certification since 2019. He actively advises the Digital Marketing Certificate program at USF MUMA College of Business, further demonstrating his dedication to sharing his expertise and shaping the next generation of industry leaders.
Track: Cloud Data
Building an Analytics and Data Science Center of Excellence Within a Startup
Embracing analytics and leveraging the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence are critical for businesses of all sizes in today’s competitive landscape. However, implementing these advanced solutions can be particularly challenging for startups, which often face heightened expectations, limited resources, and minimal internal data.
In this presentation, we will explore a strategic approach to structuring an analytics and data science team within a startup, striking a balance between the pursuit of cutting-edge analytics and the need for practical, immediate solutions built on a strong foundation. We will delve into the key factors that influence a company’s success in achieving these goals.
Our discussion will encompass the “What” (scope and vision), the “How” (processes), and the “Who” (resources) of establishing an analytics and data science center of excellence. For each of these components, we will identify common risks, challenges, and offer valuable insights to help guide others embarking on similar journeys.
