Q+A Profile - Data and AI

Question 1.
What are you passionate about?

I’m a big believer in the power of data and AI, but I’m even more passionate about building organizations that run effectively and do great work. I was part of the Elder Research team that was acquired by MANTECH and helped build it from 20 to 185 employees. The best part was seeing such talented people collaborate so effectively for our clients. We hit many bumps along the way, but I look back with a lot of pride on what our team built together.

Question 2.
What drew you to MANTECH?

One of my responsibilities has been the legal side of our partnerships. Prior to Elder Research being acquired by MANTECH, I dreaded dealing with ‘800-pound gorilla’ companies that pushed small businesses around without real concern for mutual benefit. MANTECH was the exception. I looked forward to working with them because they treated us with respect and made agreements fair to both sides. Now that I’ve officially joined the MANTECH team, it has felt like a natural transition because I was already so familiar with their culture.

Question 3.
What is or has been the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

Growing up as an Army brat, I spent several summers in Kansas working for a moving company near the local base. For four years, I packed boxes and hauled furniture for everyone from three-star generals to brand-new privates. I originally took the job because I loved the physical labor and the relatively high pay, but it ended up being a continuing sociology lesson. Few jobs give you such an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at how people from all walks of life live.

Question 4.
What do you wish people understood about Data and AI?

After 18 years in this industry, I’ve started calling it the “Black Box Fallacy: the idea that you can just pour messy data into a mysterious box, turn a crank, and have perfect solutions pop out the other side.

Data science isn’t magic; it’s a team sport. It works best when we have clear problems to solve and direct access to subject matter experts who know the business well. To get real value from data requires teamwork, planning, and the diverse mix of skills we bring to the table before the science part even begins.

Question 5.
How do you balance career and home life?

I’m pretty protective of my time with my wife, our four adult children, and three grandkids. To stay present, I make it a point to set my phone aside for extended periods of the evening and I almost never look at it first thing in the morning. When I’m not at work or busy with home activities, you’ll often find me mountain biking or playing disc golf. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not very skilled at either, but that’s not really the point. Being outside and moving is a lot better for my well-being than being inside and sitting. It’s how I reset my brain.

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

Alaska! I lived there for three years as a kid and always thought of it as a wonderland. After more than 50 years, I finally made it back in 2024 for an extended trip with my wife, and it was every bit as majestic as I remembered. The mountains, glaciers, and wildlife were incredible—though we did have one close encounter! My wife startled a bear on a trail, but luckily it was just a black bear (rather than an aggressive grizzly) that was more scared of her than she was of it. While I’m not looking to move back to the cold permanently, I’m already dreaming about a few more return trips to see the parts of the state I haven’t yet seen.