Vice President - Technology Strategy

Warren Hearnes

Founder
OptiML AI

Biographical Profile

Education

  • PhD, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999
  • MS, Operations Research, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999
  • BS, Mathematics, United States Military Academy, 1989

Professional Experience

  • OptiML AI, Founder, 2024: Furthering the education and use of optimization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
  • Best Buy, VP, Head of Data Science, 2022-2024: Set and executed the AI/ML strategy within Best Buy. Led a team of 45+ data scientists that elevated the use of AI, ML, and optimization across the enterprise including marketing, services, labor, call centers, inventory, and supply chain.
  • Cardlytics, SVP, Analytics & Data Science, 2011-2021: Head of analytics, optimization, and data science. Led a team of 75+ analysts and data scientists. Set and executed analytics/data science strategy that helped propel CDLX from startup to multi-billion-dollar public company.
  • The Home Depot, Manager, Marketing Sciences, 2011: Recruited to build and lead the in-house analytics team for direct mail and email marketing.
  • UPS, Manager, Data Mining & Advanced Analytics, 2003-2011: Developed innovative fraud detection, pricing optimization, asset balancing, and suspicious order monitoring solutions.
  • Lucent Technologies, Member of Technical Staff, 1998-2003: Optimized the use of fiber inventory in daily orders in the world’s largest fiber-optic cable factory.
  • S. Army, Field Artillery Officer, 1989-1992: Served in numerous leadership roles.

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities (Member since 2000)

  • INFORMS Board of Directors, VP, Technology Strategy, 2023-Present
  • Co-chair, Practice Curated Sessions, 2022 INFORMS Annual Meeting
  • Chair, Career Center Committee, 2016-2021

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • Member, National Retail Federation (NRF) AI Working Group, 2023-2024
  • Member, Georgia Tech MS Analytics Advisory Board, 2015-Present
  • Member, Emory University MS Business Analytics Curriculum Advisory Board, 2022-Present
  • INFORMS Volunteer Service Award, 2020
  • West Point Society of Atlanta John R. Petty Sr. Award for outstanding commitment and service, 2018
  • Co-inventor on two patents for UPS: Systems and Methods for Improved Calculation of Coefficient for Price Sensitivity (2011) & Systems and Methods for Identifying Suspicious Orders (2010)
  • IEEE Systems, Man, & Cybernetics Society Best Transactions Paper Award, 1999
  • S. Army Ranger Tab, 1990
  • S. Army Parachutist Badge, 1989
  • Field Artillery Officer Basic Course Honor Graduate & Master Gunner, 1989

Selected Publications

Organizer and moderator of dozens of INFORMS Industry & Academic Job Search panels, author of OR/MS Today article, co-author of two book chapters, four academic journal articles, and numerous conference presentations and/or podcasts.

Statement

I am honored to be nominated for a second term as VP, Technology Strategy for INFORMS. INFORMS is stronger when we can connect, collaborate, and share research and experiences easily and effortlessly. Technology is an integral part of how we as teachers, researchers, practitioners, students – as a community – communicate, learn, and connect. I pledge to continue to review and adapt our technology strategy so that INFORMS has a strong foundation for innovation and growth, as well as gather ideas and feedback from our members to better support students, professors, practitioners, and INFORMS staff to elevate our community and develop the next generation.

In the past term, we have made some significant strides, notably the reconstitution of the INFORMS Technology Strategy Committee. We are actively exploring cutting-edge solutions, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance access to and utilization of vital information. These efforts are instrumental in aiding the INFORMS staff and enriching our members’ experiences to find, learn, and use information.

Serving this organization has been immensely rewarding, and I am eager to contribute further to its growth and success. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving you all in this capacity.

For more information, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenhearnes/