WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE AREA AND/OR AREA OF EXPERTISE?
Retirement Consulting
WHAT LED YOU TO BECOME AN ACTUARY? AND WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE PROFESSION?
Throughout my schooling, I appreciated the apparent certainty and objectivity of math. I was always keenly interested in business as well. When I learned of the actuarial profession, it seemed the perfect blend of mathematics and business. Of course, as I progressed in my career, I realized that the certainty found in the textbooks is never present in the real world—and that real-world environment makes our professionalism so essential and well-executed work so fulfilling.
DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOUR PROFESSIONALISM TRAINING HAS HEALPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER.
Professionalism training helps every practicing actuary every day—even if we don’t recognize it as often as we should. There are specific moments when we are faced with a clear ethical or professionalism-centric decision, but professionalism is truly omnipresent in the background with the way actuaries approach our daily work, and apply the skills and experience we have gained.
TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOUR ACTUARIAL EXPERTISE INFLUENCED AN IMPORTANT DECISION IN YOUR WORKPLACE.
Much like with professionalism, most (if not all) actuaries approach many problems with a differentiated perspective due to our background and education. While maybe not a specific example, I believe a strong understanding of probability and recognizing observed outcomes from small samples as less-than-certain creates a more patient perspective as results emerge. Such patience can often prevent a lot of gyrations responding to tail events that are quite possibly going to correct themselves over time without any intervention at all. At the same time, understanding when data clearly shows a pattern that is likely signal rather than just noise makes me more assertive to address those particular problems.
WHAT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER?
Throughout my career, I have always tried to avoid doing the same thing repetitively. I seek new opportunities or new approaches to existing opportunities. I really believe that “never stop learning” is a maxim that should guide everyone’s career.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH WERE GIVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER?
Early in my career, I focused a lot on honing specific technical skills required to perform actuarial services. I don’t believe I realized as soon as I should have how important non-technical capabilities are in effectively delivering those services with skill and care. Our principals need not only accurate, complete, and well-thought-out work, they also require well-structured communication of that work product and actuaries who are willing to invest the time to bring the principal along for the learning journey to make most effective use of the information the actuary is providing.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST ABOUT YOUR ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP OR ACADEMY VOLUNTEER WORK?
I value my Academy membership because I am proud of the work the American Academy of Actuaries does to advance professionalism across all actuaries (members or not) and to inform policymakers on important actuarial issues in an effective and objective manner. I recognize my volunteering opportunities as a simultaneous way both to learn from many of the best actuaries in the business and also to make a personal contribution to the profession at the same time. I view volunteering as a way to maximize the value of membership for myself and to optimize my employer’s dues investment.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE ANYTHING ELSE WITH ASPIRING OR NEW ACTUARIES, OR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THE ACADEMY?
For those just looking into volunteering, at the risk of a copyright violation, “just do it.” Volunteering has tremendously helped my career. Volunteering doesn’t need to start big; it could be a micro-volunteering opportunity to gain visibility and experience, which could then grow and grow. To those who are already volunteering, please think of how you can involve more junior members of your network. I started volunteering because a couple of experienced volunteers encouraged me to do so; we all need to pay forward that experience.
BEYOND WORK—WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES OR OTHER PERSONAL INTERESTS?
I really enjoy college football—particularly last year, when my alma mater the University of Michigan (which two of my children attend now) won the national championship! I also look forward to weekends by the lake with my family.
