Q+A Profile - Data and AI

Question 1.
What are you passionate about?

I’m really excited about new technologies, particularly Generative AI and 3D printing (I own two 3D printers). These innovations are truly empowering consumers by making advanced tools and capabilities more accessible. They are starting to break down the traditional scarcity economy, turning both knowledge and many physical items into commodities. It’s fascinating to watch how these changes will shape society, and I hope it will be for the better.

Question 2.
What drew you to MANTECH?

I had been working in healthcare IT for a while and had a chance to work with a number of people at MANTECH as a subcontractor on a data sharing project. I saw how dedicated and passionate they were and when one of them reached out to me to ask if I’d like to interview, I jumped at the chance. I would say it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made regarding my career.

Question 3.
What do you like most about MANTECH?

I’ve been with MANTECH for over a decade, and one of the things I truly appreciate is its perfect balance of size. It’s large enough to provide support like a large company and has a diverse array of projects, yet it maintains a small-company atmosphere. This allows you to make a meaningful impact and connect with a wide variety of colleagues.

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

With the advent and rapid progression of generative AI, entirely new realms of opportunities are emerging. Just as the proliferation of smartphones and the Internet gave rise to new career paths like influencers and YouTube creators, we’re going to see similar opportunities with AI. I would recommend focusing on two primary areas. First, educate yourself on the capabilities of foundation models, keeping track of their development and what can be achieved with them. Second, explore new approaches for using these models, such as AI agents. If you’re currently working in a technology field, look for ways to solve problems using these technologies for your existing clients. For those not currently in the field, being able to apply AI to solutions will be critical in the future.

Question 6.
What do you wish people understood about Data and AI?

It is important to understand that while the advancements in AI technology over the past five years have been remarkable, almost like something out of science fiction, these technologies don’t provide value on their own. For AI to be genuinely useful, it needs to be seamlessly integrated into existing systems. This means connecting it to resources such as databases, document stores, and external services so that it can effectively understand and work with the data it processes.

Question 7.
How do you balance career and home life?

Balancing career and home life has always been a priority for me. I maintain a clear boundary between work and personal time. With three daughters, the youngest of whom is starting college this fall, it’s crucial for me to put my family first. Work is important as well, so my approach is to stay organized, avoid procrastination (this is really important), and concentrate on completing my tasks efficiently. This has enabled me to make time for my family.

Question 8.
What’s your favorite place in the world?

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a bit and grew up in Hawaii and Florida, so I’ve seen many beautiful places, but I think my favorite place is Paris, France. One of my daughters studied abroad there recently, and we had a chance to go there again to visit her and see the city more like locals and I never get tired of it. Especially the bread.

Question 9.
How do you stay current with the latest advancements in your field?

In addition to the usual answer of attending conferences and continuing education, I recommend three great sources: YouTube, Reddit, and arXiv.org. Reddit is great for hearing about new AI projects usually with GitHub links, YouTube for summarizing a lot of the recent product announcements, and arXiv.org for a deeper dive via technical papers