Veterans in Analytics: Bridging Perspectives for Success

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 3:40-4:30pm

Veterans in Analytics: Bridging Perspectives for Success

Less than 1% of the U.S. population has served any length of time in the Armed Services. This is a stark contrast to the decades following WWII where arguably some of the fastest economic growth in U.S. history occurred. This contrast has made it more challenging for hiring managers to understand and relate to veteran experiences. For this talk we will bring together a panel of veterans that have made the transition from the military to successful careers in analytics. This facilitated discussion will provide veterans, hiring managers, and others a chance to ask questions like: What unique and maybe unexpected attributes can veterans bring to an organization? What are best practices when adding a veteran to your team? How do you best retain veterans within your organization?

Moderator: Nick Ulmer, CAP

Principal Operations Research Analyst at CANA LLC

Bio

Mr. Nick Ulmer is a retired Navy Supply Corps officer with over 20 years as a defense systems analyst. He is a Principal Operations Research Analyst for CANA LLC where he leads teams of analytics professionals to produce high level analytics products across federal and commercial domains including: operations research studies & analysis, models of systems, data and information-based decision support solutions, and data quality & analytic assessments. He is the current President of the INFORMS Veteran Interest Forum, voting council member of INFORM Military and Security Society, and the VP of Professional Development on the Executive Council of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).

Panelist: Warren Hearnes

Former Chief Data Scientist at Best Buy

Bio

Dr. Warren Hearnes has held many roles in the areas of optimization, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) over his 30+ year career. Most recently, Warren was Chief Data Scientist at Best Buy, where he led a team of 45+ data scientists that elevated the use of AI, ML, and optimization across the enterprise, including marketing, labor, supply chain, and customer service. His career includes significant roles such as Chief Analytics Officer at Cardlytics, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth to a multi-billion-dollar entity, and positions at The Home Depot, UPS, and Lucent Technologies. A proud veteran of the US Army, Warren holds a BS from West Point (1989) and an MS and PhD from Georgia Tech (1999), where he conducted funded research in reinforcement learning algorithms for robotic control for NSF, NASA, and EPRI. In addition to his work, Warren volunteers his time to several organizations, including INFORMS. Warren served six years as Chair, INFORMS Career Center Committee, co-chaired the Practice Curated Sessions for the INFORMS 2022 Annual Conference organizing committee, and currently serves as VP, Technology Strategy on the INFORMS Board of Directors. In Atlanta, he serves on advisory boards for Georgia Tech and Emory University.

Panelist: Jen Walston

Senior Manager at Disney Decision Science and Integration

Bio

Dr. Jennifer G. Walston is a Senior Manager for Disney Decision Science and Integration, an analytic center of excellence inside the Walt Disney Company. Her work at Disney involves building analytical tools to help business units make optimal decisions. Her primary projects have supported Walt Disney World resorts, Disney Cruise line, Disney media networks ad sales and research, and Disney Theatrical. Additionally, she has taken an advisory role on special projects that support multiple lines of business. Prior to her time at Disney, Dr. Walston was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in June 1994 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. She then served in various positions including ICBM and Space Systems Suitability Manager, Enlisted Personnel Analyst, Squadron Officer College Academic Evaluations Division Chief, Deputy Director of the Air Force Logistics Management Agency, Wargaming Technology Division Chief at the LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, and Chief of Analyses and Assessments for Pacific Air Forces.

Panelist: Andy Garrick

President and Co-founder at JDSAT, Inc.

Bio

Mr. Garrick is the President and Co-founder of JDSAT, Inc, an operations research and data science consulting firm based in McLean, VA. In this role, Mr. Garrick routinely hires and works with transitioning veterans from all services, both officer and enlisted. Prior to founding JDSAT, Mr. Garrick served 20 years in the US Marine Corps. His career included 9 years as an enlisted Marine achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, at which time he transitioned to the officer corps serving as a Logistics officer and Operations Researcher. He retired in 2015, transitioning to a consulting role supporting United States Automobile Association (USAA) before founding JDSAT.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 3:40-4:30pm