Q+A Profile - Data and AI

Question 1.
What are you passionate about?

I enjoy trying to tackle ambiguous, messy problems that are common in the real world. I like the “puzzle” phase of the project, where you start with a lot of ambiguity, figure out the right questions to ask, and turn it into a methodology that creates data and a process for analysis. There’s rarely a single solution so I like trying to experiment with potential solutions while remaining within constraints, like time, that we’re working with.

Question 2.
What drew you to MANTECH?

I was drawn to MANTECH because it operates at the intersection of innovation and real-world impact. The Data and AI Practice supports cutting-edge research into new technologies while also delivering solutions that make a tangible difference for clients. For someone like me—a researcher at heart—this dual focus is ideal. Diving into data to understand underlying processes and analyzing how variables influence outcomes keeps work interesting, but it’s really satisfying seeing that work come to life in client projects.

Question 3.
What do you like most about MANTECH?

What I like most about MANTECH is its emphasis on cross-functional collaboration. Data and AI projects are inherently multidisciplinary, and I’ve enjoyed learning from colleagues with backgrounds in AI architecture, application engineering, and other fields. Having originally come from a research and analysis background, these diverse perspectives have not only taught me new approaches but have challenged me to think more holistically about solutions. This environment of continual learning at MANTECH helps me grow as a problem solver and innovate in my work.

Question 4.
What is or has been the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

In high school I discovered that I had a very specific, very useless talent: competitive grocery bagging. My first job in high school was as a bag boy in my local Whole Foods Market. It was basically like Tetris, but you can’t put anything on top of the long straight piece because the carton of eggs breaks and you’re docked points. I only made it to regionals and not the big leagues, but I still have the love of the game.

Question 5.
What advice do you have for those looking to start a career in Data and AI?

There’s enough advice out there about foundations to get you off the ground, so I’ll focus on how to keep yourself motivated early on. For me, finding problems and datasets that were interesting kept me coding to improve my March Madness bracket and learn about factors that come together to make a truly great movie or TV series. Early on you want to work on projects you’re interested in to make sure you’re completing projects and learning tooling from end-to-end.

Question 6.
What’s your favorite place in the world?

I grew up in Southern California and love spending time at the beach. Whether it’s laying around on a hot day, sitting around a roaring fire on a chilly night, or venturing into the kelp forests on a SCUBA dive, it’s fulfilling. There’s something about the push and pull of the current and waves that I find extremely relaxing. It is important to find your ways to wind down and recover from fast-moving projects, and this is one of mine.