Abstract: 

In this talk we’ll shed some light on how Agero leverages data to help millions of stranded drivers get the help they need every year. Specifically we will highlight how the Data team fits into the present and future of Agero, and some lessons that we’ve learned as we’ve grown over the past few years. We’ll review take-aways from some projects that have gone really well, and some that haven’t. We’ll introduce the Agile process that we’ve implemented to make sure we’re delivering insights in a timely manner. Lastly we’ll discuss some of the challenges that we face as a data team at the center of a rapidly evolving company and what we’re planning for the coming year to stay ahead of the curve.

Bio: 

As Director of Data Science and Analytics at Agero, Mike spends a lot of time thinking about how to help drivers in need, whether their car has broken down or they’ve been in a crash. He and his team have developed algorithms for detecting crashes and risky driving behaviors using a smartphone, studied crash risk factors using billions of miles of driving data collected with the MileUp™ app, modeled demand for tow trucks and when they might arrive late, and much more. Formerly he was an astrophysicist at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Munich studying cosmic magnetism and developing new algorithms to apply to data from radio telescopes. Mike is a proud father of two, a fan of sci-fi, and enjoys playing games of all varieties.