Mark Zais, PhD, CAP-X
Enterprise Analytics
where strategy meets execution.
Enterprise analytics executive with 20+ years leading data strategy, AI innovation, and advanced analytics initiatives across defense, government, and industry. Trusted advisor to C-suite executives and senior government leaders on multi-billion-dollar investment, workforce, and capability decisions.
Bridging executive strategy and technical execution.
What distinguishes my leadership is the ability to bridge executive strategy and technical execution: I set the vision, architect the solution, and work alongside data scientists and engineers to deliver results — translating complex quantitative insights into executive decision advantage.
Credentials
- PhD, Business Administration (Operations Research) — CU Boulder, Leeds School of Business
- MS, Operations Research — Georgia Tech
- MS, Industrial Engineering — Georgia Tech
- BS, Operations Research — West Point
- Certified Analytics Professional — Expert (CAP-X)
- Active TS-SCI Security Clearance
- U.S. Army Veteran (Colonel)
- Former AH-64D Apache Pilot-in-Command
- Cloud Digital Leader
Two decades from the cockpit to the boardroom.
A path through military aviation, doctoral research, national defense policy, and enterprise analytics leadership — each chapter compounding technical depth with executive influence.
- IndustryAug 2022 — Present
Senior Technology Director
Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
Enterprise analytics executive responsible for data strategy, AI innovation, and advanced analytics capabilities across defense technology portfolios supporting a 900+ person workforce.
- Accountable for enterprise analytics strategy, operating model, and capability development across all business units and customer portfolios.
- Architected analytics strategy for multi-billion dollar military modernization programs and portfolio investment decisions.
- Drove business development and capture strategy, securing >$600M in new contract awards through technical solution architecture and proposal leadership.
- Established AI governance frameworks, analytics communities of practice, and delivery standards to institutionalize data-driven decision-making.
- GovernanceMar 2025 — Present
Board Member — Analytics Certification Board (ACB)
INFORMS
Oversee the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) program as a standard-setting and assessment body for analytics professionals worldwide.
- Provide independent verification of critical technical expertise and soft skills valued by analytics-oriented organizations globally.
- DefenseJun 2020 — Jun 2022
Chief Data Scientist
USSOCOM
Tampa, FL
U.S. Special Operations Command. Enterprise AI and analytics strategy lead for a global command of 70,000+ personnel with a $13B annual budget.
- Designed and led enterprise data science and machine learning capability supporting mission operations, workforce analytics, financial management, and medical research.
- Established AI governance and analytics priorities aligned to enterprise digital transformation objectives.
- Senior advisor to Command leadership on enterprise AI strategy, analytics investments, and data governance policy.
- Built and mentored cross-functional teams of data engineers, data scientists, and ML engineers across mission domains.
- ResearchJul 2019 — Jun 2020
Research Fellow — Information Technology & Strategy
Carnegie Mellon University
Collaborated with academia, industry, and government partners on AI policy, global strategy, and applied analytics research.
- First Place, 2020 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff National Defense Strategy Paper Award.
- Nominated for three individual research writing awards focused on artificial intelligence strategy.
- DefenseAug 2017 — Jul 2019
Strategic Studies & Analytics Branch Chief
USSOCOM
Greater Tampa Bay Area
Led enterprise modeling and analytics supporting strategic budget and acquisition decisions across a $13.5B portfolio.
- Directed development of optimization platforms supporting $40B in military construction planning.
- Delivered executive-level analysis shaping long-range investment and resource allocation decisions.
- GovernmentAug 2014 — Aug 2017
Senior Operations Research Analyst
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Enterprise decision science advisor supporting defense-wide economic and budget policy within the Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD), Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) directorate.
- Led Congressionally directed studies and economic analyses influencing over $1B in resource realignment.
- Directed national-level compensation and housing allowance analytics optimizing billions annually.
- Delivered findings to senior DoD leadership and U.S. Congressional committees.
- AcademiaAug 2011 — Jul 2014
Doctoral Student
University of Colorado at Boulder
Earned a PhD in Business Administration (Operations Research).
- Research focused on Simulation-Optimization, Dynamic Programming, and Metaheuristics (Graph Coloring, Tabu Search, GRASP) to solve complex real-world problems.
- Toolset: Java, SAS, SQL, MATLAB, SPSS.
- DefenseJul 2008 — Jul 2011
Behavioral Forecaster | Operations Research Analyst
U.S. Army — Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1
Washington DC–Baltimore Area
Strength Analysis and Forecasting Division.
- Led enterprise workforce forecasting and optimization for a 547,000+ employee organization — modeling accession, retention, and recruiting policy during wartime operations.
- Presented Army-wide analytics directly to senior DoD leadership, influencing critical wartime manpower policy decisions.
- AcademiaMay 2006 — May 2008
Graduate Student
Georgia Institute of Technology
Greater Atlanta Area
Earned two Master's Degrees: M.S. in Industrial Engineering and M.S. in Operations Research.
- MilitaryJun 1997 — May 2006
Aviation Officer / AH-64D Apache Longbow Pilot
U.S. Army
Served in multiple leadership positions as an Aviation officer and helicopter pilot (Senior Aviator); designated Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
- Commanded a company of 31 personnel and 8 AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopters with associated equipment valued at over $250 million.
Core capabilities that turn data into decision advantage.
Enterprise Analytics Strategy & Governance
Build and scale analytics organizations, operating models, and AI governance frameworks that turn data into durable strategic advantage.
Data Science & AI
Architect machine learning and predictive analytics capabilities spanning mission operations, workforce, and financial domains.
Operations Research & Optimization
Simulation-optimization, dynamic programming, and metaheuristics applied to complex, multi-billion-dollar allocation problems.
Decision Science
Translate complex quantitative insight into executive decision advantage for boards and senior government leaders.
Executive Advisory & Influence
Trusted advisor to C-suite and senior leaders — influencing from corporate boardrooms to Congressional committees.
Business Development & Capture
Drive technical solution architecture and proposal leadership, securing >$600M in new contract awards.
Education
PhD, Business Administration (Operations Research)
University of Colorado Boulder — Leeds School of Business
M.S., Operations Research
Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S., Industrial Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S., Operations Research
United States Military Academy at West Point
Honored for analysis, strategy, and the written word.
Honors & Awards
- Dr. Wilber B. Payne Award for Excellence in Analysis
- CJCS National Defense & Military Strategy Essay Competition — First Place
- Davis Rist Prize (Runner-Up)
Selected Publications
- 01A Simulation-Optimization Approach to Estimate Workforce Requirements
- 02Big Data for Generals… and Everyone Else over 40
- 03A Markov Chain Model of Military Personnel Dynamics
- 04Optimizing Simulation Fidelity for Cost-Effective Aviation Training
- 05Artificial Intelligence: A Decisionmaking Technology
Where the strategy becomes tangible.
A growing body of applied work and an independent consulting practice helping organizations turn analytics ambition into operational reality.
Selected Work
A curated showcase of analytics platforms, optimization models, and AI initiatives is in the works — case studies translating complex problems into executive outcomes.
Preview on GitHubLet's build your decision advantage.
Open to advisory engagements, board service, speaking, and strategic partnerships at the intersection of analytics, AI, and enterprise leadership.