Home: Dallas, TX. Age: 61. Birthplace: Berkeley, CA. Profession: Brand activation and commerce. Organization: VMLYR Commerce. Title: Chief Innovation Officer in Advertising Industry. Pronouns: He/Hi/His. Alma mater: The University of Tennessee; Vanderbilt University. Languages spoken: English, Bengali and Hindi.
Current project: Bringing in AI powered transformative capabilities for various industry segments that benefit the suppliers and consumers alike. Recent professional development: AI For Leaders Certification from The University of Texas at Austin. Latest accomplishment: Completed the development and delivery of an AI/ML powered predictive capability for CPGs to create custom promotional offers across various year-round events for the consumers. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? From Manager to Director at Pepsico and from VP Products at Symphony Retail AI to CIO at VMLYR Commerce. Hobbies: Piano, 3D printing, cooking, golf, ice skating, Zumba, working out. Recent travel or adventure: Vietnam. Last book read: The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle. Recently viewed and recommended: Emilia Perez (Netflix). Recent unique acquisition: A condo in Chicago.
Personality profile: (Strength Finders) Achiever, Responsibility, Input, Intellection, Leaner. What one word or phrase would your closest friend use to describe you? Energizer Bunny. Moral compass: Learn from mistakes. How do you define a perfect friendship? One who will be there irrespective of outcomes and where there are no mutual expectations to be nice. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Transparent and candid regarding the good and bad issues around business operations and outcomes. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my children thrive. What is your greatest fear? That I will lose everything one day due to some unknown problem. What is your guilty pleasure? Drinking fine scotch with my best friend. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Get it done. What natural talent have you neglected? Being kind to others. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Doctors and astronauts.
What three emojis best describe you? 😀🤗💋.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Casinos. What is at the top of your bucket list? Going to space. How do you relieve stress? Playing the piano or working out. What is your go-to workout? Cardio. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? The beach.
What was your first paying job? Tuition to middle school student. What was your favorite college course? Finite Element Analysis. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Cricket. What book have you repeatedly read? The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Roman Holiday. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Paintings by my high school friend. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Don’t complain, just adjust according to the situation. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be open to change and embrace new opportunities even if it means learning new things. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Generative AI. What is your favorite app? WhatsApp. What is your go-to source of news and information? CNN. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Pinterest. What company or organization do you most admire? Google. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Marrying my wife.
What is your big idea? Go live in Portugal or Thailand. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Find ways to reduce stress from work. What change would you like to see in the world? More empathy, less hate. What message do you want to send out into the world? Live, love, listen, learn, let go, leave behind, laugh. What widely held belief do you reject? That a rolling stone gathers no moss. It’s the rolling stone that does gather moss, as there are more opportunities for one who rolls. What mega-trend most excites you? Cryptocurrency. What mega-trend most concerns you? Cryptocurrency.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Ordinary to Extra-Ordinary. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? George Clooney. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Albert Einstein. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A doctor. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Memorabilia about my dad and my kids when they were growing up. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? On the beach. What advice would you give your younger self? Be less anxious and more relaxed. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day my twins were born. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? Mid-to-late twenties.
Personal mission: To help the under privileged. Personal motto: Live life to the fullest and have no regrets. Favorite quote: “You can’t handle the truth” (A Few Good Men). Desired epitaph: Man of many virtues.
