Identity & Origin

Give me the 30-second version of your career — the way you'd answer it spoken out loud if a hiring manager kicked off a screening call with "so just walk me through your background." Don't structure it like a resume bullet list. Tell it like a story arc: where you started, the through-line, where you are now. Aim for what you'd actually want them to remember 10 minutes later.

¶ I started my working career in foodservice and really enjoyed it. Working with people gave me a lot of energy, both coworkers and customers. I didn't feel like there was a great path that fit my skills as corporations with regional directors and significant career paths had a real problem with their standards vs reality (or what they would pay for) and I didn't feel like that was a fight I wanted to take on. I pivoted to accounting, decided I was much more interested in data analytics than being a CPA, and got a job at Chubb working in Internal Audit. Learned a lot specifically in Qlik, doing the typical Qlik data warehousing tasks, but ended up being stuck in the "slow and steady" corporate ladder. I took an opportunity at SDG in consulting and have been leading end-to-end data strategy and architecture ever since.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

¶ Outside of work a lot of what the kids do. Try to play some board games with them as much as possible, playgrounds, theme parks, other experiences. I enjoy all those things. I follow the NFL for more of a mental "escape" - Jacksonville Jaguars. Wouldn't mind getting back into soccer and goalkeeping coaching or weekend team, but nothing right now.

What are you reading, listening to, or watching lately?

¶ I do not read books or listen to music. I enjoy listening to Jaguars content... i think its interesting hearing the coaches interviews... but you really have to pay attention cause its 90% fluff. But seeing how players react differently to leadership styles and just observing personalities and lessons they claim to be learning. I bounce around a lot of random TV / Movies. Nothing particular. Wife ropes me into a bunch of reality competitions - big brother, survivor, some "trash" tv. Read a decent amount of linked in and current event news or stories that catch my eye.

Tell me a fun fact about yourself.

¶ Fun fact... In my early 20s I once found a strategy at an online sportsbook that... if they were legally obligated to honor the bets... would have eventually bankrupted them. It was essentially linked bets on points scored and points spreads that were allowed when parlayed together and probably shouldn't have been. Mathematically guaranteed to produce results. I figured it PROBABLY wasn't intentional, but was hoping there was a chance they wouldn't notice for a little bit and pay off a bit of school debt or something. They flagged it first time i tried to take money out and received nothing. But it as fun.

What's a recent non-work thing you're proud of?

¶ I think in general I keep an eye out for opportunities to serve others and provide value, and that comes up pretty often whether its just a piece of advice or helping someone research something or cooking a meal. So those tend to come to mind over personal projects like painting a room or whatever.

How do you recharge?

¶ I recharge with 1 on 1 time with my kids. I enjoy group time with them, but that can move to work quickly lol. 1 on 1 is usually quite relaxing and good bonding. Pretty much anything not productive is good for a recharge. Finding a random research project on something that costs money is great. I can be not productive and spend money i dont need to in one swoop. Sleeping in, long showers, letting my brain wander without forcing it back to a chosen topic i feel like "needs" to be front and center also great.

Who has been influential to how you think — inside or outside the field?

¶ Honestly probably too many to remember. Theres a few podcasters I have listened to a lot that certainly have played a role in philosophical principles of thought. My family members have all pushed me in different ways... maybe not necessarily stealing their thoughts, but more challenging me to refine mine. My brother, father, uncle for sure. That said, the honest answer is probably myself. I self-talk myself on philosophy quite a bit, and I think how I see the world has shaped my brain routines significantly. And thats consistent with advice I give people. I think the words you repeat and your self-talk content is immensely powerful.

What's something most people don't know about you?

¶ Most people meaning most people not close to me or most people even the ones close to me? I would say my food service experience, cooking ability for those that somewhat know me. Those that have more interaction but not "family" close dont know about my soccer goalkeeping experience and the book I wrote on it when i was ~20.

If you weren't in data and analytics, what would you be doing?

¶ Food service is the obvious one, but feels almost cheating. I want to start up fast casual, regional chain at some point. Love working with people. Outside of that i would probably go into some other type of engineering - product engineering. Something innovative and creative that solves problems.

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Full name + preferred name?

¶ Nick Timm

Where do you live now?

¶ South Jersey - 30 minutes from Philly. Marlton

Where did you grow up?

¶ Annapolis, MD - really enjoy downtown Annapolis vibes - didnt appreciate it enough as a kid.

Other cities or regions you've lived in?

¶ Eastern Shore MD.. Williamsport PA. West Chester PA. Did lots of moving around after high school and bouncing around colleges. Short stops. Those are the core areas though.

Spouse or partner?

¶ I am married with 3 kids

Kids — ages? Names if you want them captured.

¶ Kids are Ruby Zeke & Niles - 7 5 and 2.5.

Pets?

¶ We have three cats. We liked them much more BEFORE the three kids.

Education — schools and degrees?

¶ B.S. Accounting from Western Governor's University, Graduate work in Data Analytics also from WGU

Languages spoken?

¶ just English

Jaguars confirmed earlier — any other teams you root for?

¶ Only Jaguars really. Pay attention to local Philly teams, but nothing comes close to the Jaguars. The story on why is that when I was ~8, 1995/1996 - I was tired of hearing about the Ravens and i thought the Redskins broadcasts were just boring. Something about the gray broadcast and probably the environment I was a part of when those games are on. I went with the nice teal colored Jaguars and got sucked in by a great website and senior writer long term.

Favorite places you've visited?

¶ I really enjoyed pacific northwest trip - olympia national park. We did a 10 day giant circle to orcas island, ruby beach, national park, redwoods. Good Stuff. I also thoroughly enjoy smaller florida keys, marathon. Been there a couple times. So i guess the corners. I like the corners of the US.

Places you'd most want to visit?

¶ I have always been highly interested in visiting New Zealand and Alaska. Some well planned excursions to those areas I'm sure i would thoroughly enjoy.

Working time zone / hours?

¶ Live in new jersey, so EST - i work normal working hours

Anything else basic that should be on a "quick facts" panel — age range, hometown allegiance not already covered, anything else?

¶ Skip it

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