As a seasoned data scientist with a proven track record of success, I possess extensive expertise in enhancing, automating, and analyzing data processes to drive business growth. My journey began in the US Marine Corps, where I honed my data management skills and developed a deep understanding of data integrity and protection. Since then, I have consistently delivered exceptional results for businesses of all sizes.

Key Accomplishments
DataOps.live: Served as the primary problem-solver, providing insightful analysis and ensuring optimal platform functionality using Snowflake. Successfully trained customers on how to reduce process run time by 92%.
KORE Wireless: Implemented configuration changes that stabilized the server from day one, eliminating outages and performance issues that had previously averaged 2 hours per week across 600 databases.
Cengage Learning: Developed a Markov chain model to identify high-performing students and engineered an Ensemble Predictive Model to predict at-risk student behaviors with over 80% accuracy.
Thought Leadership: Presented at renowned national data conferences and developed presentations on cutting-edge topics such as data structure graphs, high-level graph theory, and network analysis.
Published Author: Authored and published "The Enrichment Game: A Story About Making Data Powerful," which focuses on leveraging data-driven insights to achieve business success.
Let's Connect

I am always eager to expand my professional network and explore new opportunities. If you are interested in harnessing the power of data to drive purposeful action, please contact me at dougthedataguy@gmail.com or connect with me here on LinkedIn.

Doug Needham

I just published an article about database design that starts with Pixar and ends with a Walt Whitman poem.
 
That might seem like an odd mix, but I had a point to make: whether you're building databases or writing screenplays, the key to making your mark is to tell a strong story.
 
Poor database performance usually boils down to a design problem. To design a database well, you need to understand what story the data needs to tell, and build accordingly.
 
Read the piece on HackerNoon: https://lnkd.in/e_Fqnut7

#Data #Datamodeling #DataOps #Writing

Open article: Back to Basics: Database Design as Storytelling | HackerNoon by hackernoon.com

Back to Basics: Database Design as Storytelling | HackerNoon

I am speaking on the  #TrueDataops Podcast. Join me on January 21.  I am sure we will have fun!

#TrueDataops Podcast - S4.Ep5 with guest Doug Needham, 'The Data Guy'

Join Keith Belanger, Field CTO at DataOps.live & Snowflake Data Superhero as he discusses 'Getting back to Basics' with his next guest Doug Needham, 'The Data Guy' on January 21st for S4:Ep5.

Doug, Principal Solutions Architect for DataOps.live is a seasoned data scientist with a proven track record of success, possessing extensive expertise in enhancing, automating, and analyzing data processes to drive business growth. His journey began in the US Marine Corps, where he honed his data management skills and developed a deep understanding of data integrity and protection. Since then, Doug has consistently delivered exceptional results for businesses of all sizes & is instrumental in driving customer adoption at DataOps.live & whose most recent book, "Data Structure Synthesis: Boosting Productivity through Data Structure reuse, focuses on leveraging Data Structure fundamentals to speed up productivity.

Click to add to calendar!

Keith Belanger, Kim Kelley and 13 other attendees

#TrueDataops Podcast with guest Doug Needham, 'The Data Guy'

My Podcast with Keith Belanger on the DataOps.live #TrueDataOps podcast is now viewable on Youtube. 

https://lnkd.in/e3n4tmzb

Open video: #TrueDataOps Podcast - Doug Needham - Ep.58 (S4:ep5) on youtube.com

#TrueDataOps Podcast - Doug Needham - Ep.58 (S4:ep5)

"Silence is one of the great arts of conversation." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

The art of the pause can be difficult to master.

Too often, we are enthusiastic about whatever we may have on our mind.

Occasionally letting the other person speak without interruption can lead to new insights.

There are plenty of times where I rant or ramble, but I do desire to work harder at listening.

Tearing a subject apart to analyze its inner workings is a great joy for a writer. 

As I pull threads on my current writing journey, I run across ideas that have been around for some time. 

It has been some time since I heard of Edward De Bono's six thinking hats. To be honest, I do not recall who I worked with who was familiar with the thinking hats toolbox. 

It would be a great help to me and my current writing effort to speak to someone who is familiar with this tool and has "used it in anger" in the real world. 

I am tagging my friend Steve Spiro here. When he invited me as a guest to his networking group, they asked if there was anything they could assist me with. I mentioned I periodically make a post about speaking with someone who may be familiar with a topic I am studying for my book. When I did so, if they were familiar with the topic, please let me know. Otherwise, interact with the post to find people who may be willing to chat. 

This is one of those networking opportunities. If you cannot answer the question directly, and know someone who might, please tag them or forward this. 

#writing #thinking #networking

Occasionally, I remind myself of the great writings of Marcus Aurelius. 

This is a great reminder to start the week.

Struggling to book meetings? Getting ghosted? Want to sell without pushing, convincing, or begging? Read this profile.

Marcus Aurelius said there are only three things in your control:

How you judge things.
How you act.
What you accept.

That’s it.

Not outcomes.
Not buyers.
Not timing.
Not budgets.
Not whether someone ghosts you.
Not your territory.
Not quota.

Sales gets hard when we argue with the wrong things.

A prospect doesn’t reply.
You judge it as rejection.
You act anxious.
You refuse to accept uncertainty.
Stress follows.

But the event itself was neutral.
Silence is just silence.

The suffering came from the judgment.
And the resistance to accepting what is.

Marcus wasn’t saying “do nothing.”
He was saying “aim correctly.”

Do your best.
Forget the rest.

When you do, selling gets lighter.

You stop fighting reality.
You stop forcing outcomes.
You show up more resilient.
Harder to shake.

That’s not philosophy.

That’s peace.

Technology Leadership: CEO & Founder Tomorrow University | Follow me to learn what it takes to become an impactful Technology Leader

If you want to think sharper, read this:
12 Models that Upgrade Your Thinking.

You don’t need to learn everything the hard way.

Mental models simplify complex decisions.

They help you think sharper and act faster.

Use them to:
✅ Break problems down.
✅ Anticipate outcomes.
✅ Lead with clarity.

Here are 12 that top performers use 👇

- First Principles. Start from zero. Rebuild from scratch.
- Second-Order Thinking → Ask: “What happens next?”
- Compounding → Tiny actions. Massive results over time.
- Circle of Competence → Stay in your zone. Delegate the rest.
- Pareto Principle (80/20) → Focus on what moves the needle.
- Inversion Thinking → Find failure points. Avoid them early.
- Map ≠ Territory → Plans change. Adapt fast.
- Diminishing Returns → More isn’t always better.
- Occam’s Razor → Simplicity wins.
- Regression to the Mean → Stay steady through highs and lows.
- Social Proof → Watch what works. Learn from others.
- Tipping Point → Keep going. Momentum builds quietly.

Mental models don’t remove effort.
They reduce wasted effort.

Are you ready to use them daily?
These will help you to decide faster and lead smarter.

👉 Repost to help more founders think with clarity.
Follow Christian Rebernik for insights on leadership and performance.

Smurfit Westrock

In this role, I'm responsible for Technical Services, Customer Support, Sales & Application Development in the Foodservice Paperboard business segment and may support other food, packaging and specialty business segments.

It's a customer-facing technical service and support function while collaborating with operation, innovation, commercial and sales teams to provide the best-in-class value-added innovative paperboard and sustainable packaging solutions to our customers.  

I'm excited about expanding from my previous function in materials & coatings innovation and product development to partner closely with customers, deliver improved values and drive business growth.

Manager - Technical Services & Support - Global Paper Sales & Operations

My area of expertise in materials & coatings and extrusion technology platform is to identify, evaluate & commercialize a range of polymers, biopolymers & natural polymers, functional fillers & additives, cellulose fibers, and blends in monolayer extrusion and multilayer co-extrusion coated and film lamination paperboard products for high barrier and high-performance food, beverage, pharmaceutical, security, agriculture & horticulture, and sustainable packaging applications.

Science & Innovation, Paper Barrier Coatings + Polymer Extrusion

WestRock Company

My primary area of responsibilities in materials innovation and extrusion technology platform is to identify, evaluate & commercialize a range of polymers, biopolymers & natural polymers, functional fillers & additives, cellulose fibers, and blends in monolayer extrusion and multilayer co-extrusion coated and film lamination paperboard products for high barrier and high-performance food, beverage, pharmaceutical,  security, agriculture & horticulture, and sustainable packaging applications.

R&D Science & Innovation ► Polymer Extrusion Coating Paperboard Barrier Sustainable Packaging

MeadWestvaco

Senior Principal Polymer Materials R&D Scientist and Technical Leader at MWV Technical Center for Packaging Innovation. Chief Polymer Technology Architect leading polymer materials & barrier extrusion coating R&D program and paperboard packaging product development & innovation in food service, food packaging, beverage, aseptic liquid packaging and healthcare packaging markets. 

• Initiate and direct the road map of a new Extrusion Coating & Lamination Technology Platform to enable innovation, development, speed-to-market scale-up & commercialization in materials, processes, products and technologies.

• Launch and manage a Supplier Technical & Commercial Exchange Forum to integrate with raw material sourcing, supply continuity, and value chain management.

• Scout, identify, evaluate and qualify next-generation polymer materials, renewably resource-derived bio-based materials, functional fillers, additives, cellulose fibers, barrier films, emerging packaging & converting technologies.

• Conduct IP landscape analysis, road mapping and competitive intelligence in paperboard extrusion coating and lamination for food & beverage packaging end markets.

• Mentor, coach and train junior engineers, scientists and researchers. Enhance overall capability and visibility of polymer R&D group. Establish and implement the best practices and systems for polymer R&D processes and project management. Lead the capital initiative to upgrade a pilot extrusion coating & laminating line and enhance multilayer coextrusion capability.

• Develop and commercialize barrier multi-layer coextrusion & monolayer film extrusion coating and multi-layer coextrusion blow molding technologies for paperboard-based food & beverage packaging solutions; e.g., hot-fill beverage, aseptic, microwavable, dual ovenable food packaging.

Senior Lead R&D Innovation ► Polymer ♦ Extrusion Coating ♦ Paperboard ♦ Food & Beverage Packaging

Sealed Air Corporation

•	Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project Manager and Product Development Leader.

•	Led global cross-functional, multi-location, multicultural teams of 10-15 members to develop and commercialize high-growth-profit and value-added products and solutions, most notably in next-generation, high-performance, patented inflatable cushioning, inflatable void-fill and packaging system, microlayer & multilayer co-extruded barrier films, and bio-based compostable loose-fill packaging foam. ($1.3M-$4.5M margin increase on $3M-$14M new sales, 25%-38% cost reduction, 37% carbon footprint reduction).

•	Managed strategic growth projects to deliver top line revenue growth and bottom line EBITDA results using Stage-Gate® product development & innovation process, NPV model, Lean Six Sigma tools, and DMAIC & DfLSS methodologies - from concept generation & Voice of the Customer (VOC) feedback to lab-scale experiments & pilot line scale-up development trials, from statistical analysis & data validation to successful technology transfer, implementation, commercialization & market launch. 

•	Accountable for high-visibility portfolio management & technical leadership to develop 5-year strategic plan, define project scope & success criteria, set project goals & timelines, design change management & RACI project plan, prioritize activities & guide directions, conduct IP landscape & competitive analysis, propose budget & monitor spend, set milestones & deliverables, manage FMEA risk assessment matrix, align internal & external resources to meet deadlines & financial targets within budget, build effective collaborative cross-functional teams, establish regular communication with team members & stakeholders, prepare reports & present at Stage Gate meetings to Senior Leadership Team. 

•	Extensive customer-facing experience engaging in application development, technical service & field testing to ensure market acceptance, expand market share, defend market position & enhance customer satisfaction.

Innovation Project Manager ►Inflatable Cushioning ♦ Flexible Sustainable Packaging ♦ e-Commerce

•	Led 50+ R&D projects in collaboration with Business, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and regulatory partners of 5 to 15 members to develop technology & innovation-based, value-added packaging solutions encompassing new product development, product line re-engineering, cost reduction, and sustainability initiatives in a diverse portfolio of more than 12 product lines. Impacts and benefits include annual $200K to $14M new sales, $50K to $4M margin increase, 12% to 38% cost reduction, or 7% to 37% carbon footprint reduction.

•	Products include Air Cellular BubbleWrap® cushioning, NewAir® I.B. Inflatable Cushioning, Fill-Air® Inflatable Void Fill Packaging, Jiffy® Mailers (JiffyLite® Kraft Bubble Mailers, TuffGard® Plastic Cushioned Bubble Mailers, Jiffy® Padded), Shurtuff® Poly Mailers, PriorityPak® paperboard, PakNatural(TM) biodegradable/compostable loose-fill, Dri-Loc® films and NaturePAD(TM) renewable absorbent films for meat, fish and poultry pads, Speedypacker® films, Cellu-Cushion® and Cellu-Aire® PE foams. 

•	Developed R&D innovation pipelines and road maps. Identified, developed and implemented growth initiatives, improvement projects & Supply Chain support projects in timelines from 6 months to 3 years.

•	Extensive experience in technical service, application development, and customer engagement in support of business development, sales & marketing and supply chain by providing technical support, conducting fit-for-use performance testing, assisting Supply Chain in new resin evaluation, alternate resin qualification, resolving manufacturing and quality issues. 

•	Conducted competitive product bench-marking test, materials & property characterization, performance evaluation, reverse engineering, cost modeling, price-benefit value mapping management, SWOT analysis & strategic recommendations.

•	Product stewardship, sustainability and EHS leadership responsible for business unit R&D group's safety program, OSHA safety training, and regulatory compliance.

Research Scientist ► Multilayer Coextruded Cast/Blown Film♦ Foam♦ Paper♦ Barrier Flexible Packaging

A. Schulman, Inc.

•	Provided technical expertise in thermoplastic extrusion, resin compounding, application development and technical service to support over 25 proprietary (POLYBATCH®, PAPERMATCH®, POLYFLAM® , POLYFORT®, SCHULAMID®, POLYTROPE®,SCHULABLEND®), custom  and toll compounding operations for improving productivity, efficiency and quality. Optimized and streamline assigned plastics compounding projects leading to as much as 20% efficiency improvement, 45% production volume enhancement, and $650,000 annual net revenue increase.

•	Extensive hands-on experience in a wide variety of plastics, resins, additives, compounding and processing including, but not limited to thermoplastic polymer materials (polyolefins - conventional & metallocene/single-site based, thermoplastic polyesters, engineering thermoplastics, styrenics, polyamides, thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl resins, high-temperature resins, engineering thermoplastics, copolymers, blends and alloys), reinforcements, mineral fillers, additives & modifiers, compounding equipment (single and twin screw extruders, batch mixers and blenders) and shaping/forming machinery (injection molding, compression molding, cast film, blown film, calendering, hot press).

•	Managed proprietary product portfolios encompassing formulation development, product improvement, processing technology, customer technical service, and sales & marketing support in various pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical, industrial, consumer, and packaging end-markets.

Product Development Engineer►Additive & Filler Masterbatch♦Extrusion Compounding♦Engineering Polymer

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

•	Led projects for improving process efficiency, productivity and quality in polymerization, drying and bulk handling of dispersion Polyvinyl Chloride resins and copolymers. Acted as an internal technical consultant to production group, engineering project team and maintenance crew. Participated in cross-functional teams for implementation of productivity, quality, environmental and safety related improvement programs such as SPC/SQC, TQM, PSM, ISO 9002 and ISO 14001.

•	Provided technical support to operations management in process research and product development, process economic analysis, process feasibility and capability studies, plant capacity expansion planning, concept design and cost benefit analysis for capital improvement projects that enhanced productivity by 7% and saved $763,000 annual fixed cost.

•	Optimized operating conditions and utilized high efficiency filtration system that reduced particulate emissions by 87% and saved $15,000 fees in Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit application.

Process Engineer ► Polymerization ♦ Resin Development ♦ Vinyl Compounds

University of Maryland

•	Developed a sensor technology for real-time on-line monitoring of shear stress history, residence time distribution and melt temperature profile for characterization of screw elements and their mixing capabilities in twin-screw extruders.

•	 In collaboration with Energetic Materials Research and Technology of Naval Surface Warfare Center, developed a feeder-extruder interaction model to investigate the effect of feeder fluctuation on the mixing performance in screw extruders with respect to the screw design and operating conditions.  Applied the feeder-extruder interaction model, in combination with the characterization of screw elements based on the mean residence time, to develop a process scheme for optimizing the screw configurations and operating conditions during the continuous twin-screw extrusion processing of highly filled explosive energetic thermosetting materials and composite propellants.

Research Associate

•	Designed experiments and developed mathematical models and analytical characterization to investigate the mechanisms of polymer devolatilization and the effect of stripping agents associated with foam dynamics in polymer extrusion and compounding processes. 

•	Examined a novel bench-scale co-rotating twin-screw extruder for visualizing the incorporation of stripping agents and investigating devolatilization capabilities in relation to screw configurations and processing conditions.

•	Applied artificial neural networks and statistical methods in design of the devolatilization section in singe- and twin-screw extrusion and compounding processes.

•	Proposed factorial experimental designs and performed statistical analysis for process development and optimization in the mixing and devolatilization of highly filled polymer systems in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder for research project sponsor.

•	Investigated the foam dynamics, modeling and process technology in microcellular foam extrusion in relation to materials properties and process conditions.

**     Project was sponsored by DuPont Central R&D in Experimental Station, Wilmington, DE in collaboration with University of Maryland.

Research Assistant

•	In charge of Polymer Characterization Laboratory. Conducted polymer characterization, analysis & testing Training Workshops to more than 20 graduate and undergraduate research students and external customers.

•	Provided technical support in the use of rheology equipment, rheology measurement and data analysis for steady state and dynamic behavior of various viscous and viscoelastic polymer solutions and suspensions in various applications.

Analytical Rheology Laboratory Manager

•	Developed a new signage-encapsulating technique by a resin transfer molding (RTM) technology to improve product quality and reduce environmental hazards by investigating the curing kinetics of a unsaturated polyester resin and examining proper application of glass fiber mats.

•	Performed experimental studies on the adhesive bonding, mass diffusion and heat transfer in the processing of fiber-reinforced thermoset composites. Evaluated the mechanical, optical and surface finish properties of encapsulated graphical art works.

✔ DECLARATION:
I AM a hands-on Ph.D. R&D & technical leader with 28 years of cross-industry experience in R&D, new product development, innovation & commercialization leading cross-functional teams of 5 to 15 members and having completed over 73 projects (and counting) in delivering innovative & differentiated solutions to drive growth, increase sales, improve margins, and reduce costs in plastic resin, additive & filler masterbatch, multilayer film & flexible packaging, paperboard food & beverage packaging.

✔ VALUE CREATION:
Annual $200K to $37M new sales, $50K to $4M margin increase, 5% to 38% cost reduction, 20% efficiency improvement, 87% particulate emission reduction, and 7% to 37% carbon footprint reduction in 20+ product lines ranging from $3M to $750M annual revenues. Author of book chapters on mixing and screw design in polymer extrusion and more than 40 inventions, journal publications & conference presentations.

★ ★ I can help solve your problems and achieve similar or better results faster. ★ ★

✔ EQ & Core Competencies:
• Polymer Materials Science, Multilayer Film Coextrusion, Barrier Film, Coating, Lamination
• Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC, DfLSS, Stage-Gate®, Statistical Analysis
• Cross-Functional & Multicultural Team, Change Agent, Emotional Intelligence Leadership
• Customer Focused Problem Solving, Application Development, Technical Service
• Competitive SWOT Analysis, Value Management, Blue Ocean Strategy, Value Innovation
• Product Stewardship, Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability

✔ SPECIALTIES:
• Polymer: LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, Nylon 6, PET, EVOH, PVOH, TPS, PVC, TPO, PLA, BioPBS, Biopolymers
• Additive & Filler: antiblock, slip, antistat, colorant, flame retardant, fiberglass, mineral, nanoclay
• Process: film extrusion, foam extrusion, single/twin-screw extrusion, compounding, coextrusion, multilayer, microlayer, cast film, blown film, extrusion coating, paperboard packaging, adhesive-cohesive-kraft-foil-lamination

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