Q+A Interview

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about using technology to help people make better decisions and better understand the world around them. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to projects that turn complex information into something easily accessible and useful.

What drew you to MANTECH?

I was excited by the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals, contribute to important initiatives and continue growing in a field that is constantly evolving. I joined the team when Elder Research was acquired, and the combination of innovation, technical excellence and mission-focused work made a natural fit.

What do you like most about MANTECH?

The people. MANTECH is full of smart, dedicated folks who are always willing to collaborate and share knowledge. I appreciate the culture of continuous learning and the opportunity to work on projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible with data and technology.

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

My most interesting work has been on the Ægir Solution, a predictive maintenance product that we built with our client, a large Norwegian hydropower company. It combines software engineering, time series modeling, LLMs, cloud architecture and user experience design, which makes every day a little different and presents unique challenges that require both technical and creative problem-solving.

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

Focus on fundamentals and stay curious. The tools and technologies will continue to change, but a strong understanding of data, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication will always be valuable. Build projects, experiment often and don’t be afraid to learn by doing. The best way to grow is to tackle real problems and continuously adapt.

What’s the coolest thing you’re working on now?

For years, we’ve used machine learning to pull insights out of our client’s structured data. However, we mostly ignored the vast amount of unstructured text, image and video data because it was so difficult to work with. New breakthroughs in multi-modal AI are now giving us a chance to take another look at tons of great data and make sense of it. Being able to combine structured and unstructured data is unlocking so much value in our projects, which is very cool!

What do you wish people understood about Data and AI?

I wish more people understood that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. The best outcomes happen when AI is combined with knowledgeable people who understand the context, ask the right questions and apply sound judgment. Data and AI can amplify human capabilities, but they work best as part of a partnership.

How do you balance career and home life?

Balance comes from being intentional with my time. Technology can easily become an around- the-clock pursuit, so I make a conscious effort to spend time with family, travel, read and enjoy activities outside of work. Those experiences help me recharge and often give me fresh perspectives that I can bring back to my professional life.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

The Grand Canyon is high on my list. It’s one of those places that reminds you how vast and incredible the world is. No matter how many pictures you’ve seen, nothing compares to standing there and taking it in for yourself.

What keeps you excited about technology after all these years?

For me, it’s the constant opportunity to learn. Technology never stands still, and there’s always a new challenge, a new tool, or a new idea to explore. The ability to continuously grow while helping solve meaningful problems is what keeps me energized and engaged.