Name? 

Mark Davis

How did you get to gap intelligence?

I started my career in the Financial Services industry as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Madison, WI, and eventually moved to San Diego in 2006 in search of warmer weather, sunshine, and an exciting opportunity with a San Diego based, advanced estate and tax planning firm. Eventually over the years I became a Business Consultant to Independent Financial Advisors.

After having spent over a decade in Financial Services, I learned a lot about myself and the type of work that put me “in the flow;” learning from instances where I’d lose track of time, or get lost in my work. I slowly began to ascertain where much of my daily joy and passion were derived from. I came to discover that I most enjoyed getting lost in the data, and had an affinity for analytics.

In an effort to perform more data-work and make the transition from Financial Services into the realm of Data & Analytics I completed coursework in Predictive Analytics and then dipped my toes into the industry as a Business Analyst performing Google Analytics and various reporting functions for small businesses.

I eventually stumbled across a job posting by a company called gap intelligence that appeared to have a very unique corporate culture and a strong commitment to being a values-lead organization.

Compelled by the mission and values-based proposition I decided to apply and ultimately interview in hopes that I could be a part of something unique and amazing; and ideally bring value to the organization and its clients via my financial experience and my passion for data.

What values lead you and why?

Two of my most cherished personal values include Integrity and Passion.

Having integrity, doing the “right” thing, as well as doing what you say you’re going to do are extremely important tenets to me. I believe that we should all strive to demonstrate integrity by treating others the way we would like to be treated at home, at work, and in the community.

Passion has been the catalyst for prompting my change in career paths from Financial Services to Data & Analytics. I firmly believe that if we follow our passions great things will happen. While it might not always be the easiest path (or the path of least resistance), it will likely prove to be more rewarding, satisfying, and meaningful in the long run.

What skills are you bringing to gap intelligence and what skills are you excited to learn?

I bring a fairly unique blend of skills and experiences to gap intelligence. I have many years of experience in sales, marketing, and consulting but also experience and a strong affinity for planning and data work as well.

I also have years of training and experience in providing A+, Ritz Carlton, white-glove client service and finding ways to anticipate specific client needs and common pain points.

My experience with Predictive Analytics has given me broader exposure to data collection, data cleansing, data munging, and a wide variety of analytical techniques.

I am excited to continue learning and improving upon my analytical and Microsoft Excel skills; finding ways to contribute impactful, actionable, and value-added insights, processes, and workflows (based upon great freaking data). I’m also excited about obtaining a better working knowledge of how companies utilize market intelligence to gain a competitive advantage and use it to ultimately bring value to their clients.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it?

If I could have any superpower it would have to be the power to create world peace; and eliminate/ minimize the tremendous amount of pain and suffering in the world.

I know it’s a rather Utopian and cliche aspiration, but I can think of no better way to utilize a superpower than to create more joy, happiness, contentment, love, and unity in the world.

What’s the quirkiest thing about you that you’re willing to admit?

Oh boy! For a little while (as a freshman in High school) I took a seasonal job as a stock-boy at Victoria’s Secret in the mall, and was in charge of back-stocking hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars of lace lingerie. Just an interesting and crazy thing that you don’t find a lot of teenage boys doing to make some extra money. But it was definitely a unique and quirky kind of job to have as a young, male, high school student.

What’s your favorite thing to do in San Diego?

Hmmmm… that’s a tough one.

I’m not sure I can name just one. Generally, I love catching Padres games, frequenting rooftop bars and restaurants, scootering the boardwalks with my two young boys, spending time at Wind N Sea Beach, and snorkeling in La Jolla Cove amongst many other things.

If you could have a personal chef or a live-in housekeeper, which would you choose?

I think I would have to choose the personal chef. I think mainly because I have a harder time cooking healthy meals than I do cleaning up after myself…and, I really dislike doing dishes :)

What is the favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?

That’s also a hard one. I’m going to have to say it’s probably a tie between Hawaii, St. Martin, and/or New Zealand. I say that because those three places include some of the most beautiful waters and amazing landscapes that I have ever seen.