Michael Williams
About Michael Williams
Michael Williams is a Senior Manager of Liability Analytics, ALM & Hedging at Transamerica, where he has worked since 2017. He specializes in performance optimization and leads a team in developing projection software, utilizing various programming languages and actuarial tools.
Work at Transamerica
Michael Williams has held the position of Senior Manager in Liability Analytics, ALM & Hedging at Transamerica since 2017. In this role, he focuses on developing projection software with an emphasis on performance optimization. He leads a team of developers to enhance parallel CUDA/C++ hedge solutions, extending their functionality across various business blocks. His work contributes to the company's analytical capabilities and risk management strategies.
Previous Experience in Actuarial Roles
Prior to his current role at Transamerica, Michael Williams gained extensive experience in the actuarial field. He worked at FIS as a Senior Actuarial Consultant for one year in 2015-2016 and as a Lead Actuarial Developer for seven months in 2016-2017. Before that, he served as an Assistant Actuary at Pacific Life from 2011 to 2015 and as an Actuarial Analyst at Farm Family Insurance from 2009 to 2011. This diverse background has equipped him with a strong foundation in actuarial practices.
Education and Expertise
Michael Williams earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Brown University, where he studied from 2004 to 2009. His educational background supports his expertise in actuarial science and analytics. He specializes in various programming languages, including C++, Python, R, Scala, and Haskell, which he utilizes to address actuarial challenges. Additionally, he has extensive experience with actuarial software tools such as Prophet and MG-ALFA.
Technical Contributions and Innovations
In his role at Transamerica, Michael Williams has made significant technical contributions, including the conversion of a Parallel CUDA/C++ application to Numba. This conversion resulted in a 70% reduction in lines of code, although it came with a 40% performance hit. His focus on performance optimization and software development enhances the efficiency of actuarial processes within the organization.