Elango Thillai
Kansas City,USA
Summary
Highly accomplished and results-oriented data and analytics leader with over 25 years of experience in driving data-driven culture, innovation, and strategic initiatives across federal and corporate environments. Expertise in cloud modernization, AI/ML, data governance, enterprise data architecture, and leading high-performing teams. Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings and enhancing operational efficiency through advanced data solutions.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Data Scientist
USDA - Farm Production and Conservation Center
Kansas City, MO
08.2021 - Current
- Promoted data-driven culture, prioritized data visualization and storytelling, developed data democratization with self-service analytics, and relentlessly focused on data quality (p. 1).
- Hired, mentored, and retained data talent, partnering with ACIO for modernization and embracing emerging technologies (p. 1).
- Delivered cloud innovation prototypes, modern architectures, and strategies for AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning (p. 1).
- Co-led development of FY24-26 USDA Data Strategy and FY25-26 USDA AI Strategy (p. 1).
- Led development of Generative AI assisted chatbot agent, projected to save thousands of man hours and improve accuracy (p. 1).
- Supervised a high-performing data analytics team, fostering innovation and data-driven decision-making (p. 2).
- Led FPAC Analytics and OPO contract teams ($2.9M) to deliver numerous data visualization and analytical products, including 51 new dashboards (p. 2).
- Led cloud architects in developing proof-of-concepts for cloud automation, metadata management, and modernized data science platforms (p. 2).
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance farm production efficiency and sustainability.
Principal Data Architect
Spring Venture Group
Kansas City, MO
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Designed future state architecture for Data Science and advanced Analytics in AWS Cloud, presented to executive leadership (p. 3).
- Developed strategic roadmap for data and analytics needs and future state information architecture (p. 3).
- Recommended and strategized Enterprise Data Warehouse and Data Lake Platform leveraging Amazon and Snowflake (p. 3).
- Designed and implemented enterprise-level Metadata Management (p. 3).
Principal Architect - Data & Analytics
H&R Block
Kansas City, MO
04.2017 - 10.2020
- Designed enterprise-level data and analytics architecture, governance, and strategies, including presenting future state enterprise model for IT modernization and digital transformation (p. 4).
- Designed and implemented CARDS (Corporate Analytical Ready Data Sets) data lake project (p. 4).
- Designed and implemented prediction machine learning algorithms for clients and developed methodologies to enhance data quality (p. 4).
- Designed future state analytics architecture with Lakehouse architecture concept (p. 4).
- Presented two-year road maps for MDM, Data Services, Analytics (p. 4).
- Designed and implemented Enterprise Client Consent/Contact Management system (p. 4).
IT Specialist - Enterprise Data Architect
USDA - Farm Service Agency
Kansas City, MO
01.2011 - 03.2017
- Managed teams of data architects, developers, and administrators, providing strategic and technical advice to executive leadership (p. 5).
- Led a team of data architects to produce integrated Enterprise Data Conceptual Entity diagrams (p. 5).
- Designed and presented MDM implementation roadmap and led delivery of MDM system (p. 6).
- Redesigned EDW infrastructure, saving over $2 million in O&M costs (p. 6).
- Introduced and implemented data vault methodology for a flexible, automated EDW (p. 6).
Architect
H&R Block
Kansas City, MO
09.2007 - 12.2010
- Designed end-to-end architecture for MDM and Data Warehouse for Tax Professionals (p. 7).
- Designed and implemented Managed File Transfer (MFT) and enterprise-wide domain data model (p. 7).
Vice President (IT Leader - Operations)
Swiss Re (formerly GE Insurance Solutions)
Kansas City, MO
09.2003 - 08.2007
- Managed onsite and offshore teams supporting operations of over 300 e-Applications and Databases (p. 7).
- Developed self-service database management tools and operational workflow templates (p. 7).
Consultant (for GE Advanced Materials)
IRIS Software
Edison, NJ
05.2000 - 08.2003
- Led and provided technical guidance on Data Warehouse and ERP projects, including designing and implementing DW and Data Marts (p. 8).
Education
Master of Science - Mathematics
Madurai Kamaraj University
01.1991
Post Graduate Diploma - Computer Applications
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
01.1992
Skills
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Data governance
- Amazon redshift
- Team collaboration
- Data-driven decision making
- Natural language processing
- Python programming
- Agile methodology
- Database management
- Sentiment analysis
- Data operations
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Continuous improvement
- Data warehousing
- NoSQL databases
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 10 in the development of Claribel - GenAI Chatbot.
- Achieved Data Modernization by introducing AWS Services for Data Lake.
- Supervised team of 3staff members and collaborated over 25 staff members cross functional for multiple project tasks
Certification
- AWS Certified Specialty - Data & Analytics
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- ITIL version 3.0 Foundation
- Oracle Certified Professional DBA
- Scrum Master (p. 10)
Timeline
Chief Data Scientist
USDA - Farm Production and Conservation Center
08.2021 - Current
Principal Data Architect
Spring Venture Group
11.2020 - 08.2021
Principal Architect - Data & Analytics
H&R Block
04.2017 - 10.2020
IT Specialist - Enterprise Data Architect
USDA - Farm Service Agency
01.2011 - 03.2017
Architect
H&R Block
09.2007 - 12.2010
Vice President (IT Leader - Operations)
Swiss Re (formerly GE Insurance Solutions)
09.2003 - 08.2007
Consultant (for GE Advanced Materials)
IRIS Software
05.2000 - 08.2003
Post Graduate Diploma - Computer Applications
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Master of Science - Mathematics
Madurai Kamaraj University
Awards
GE spot Awards for Leadership and various projects, GE Global Award for outstanding Team work, Six Sigma, Financial, Communication Trainings (p. 10)