James (Wes) Adams
About James (Wes) Adams
James (Wes) Adams is a Senior Data Analyst at NoRedInk, specializing in machine learning and business intelligence reporting. He holds a Master's degree in Data Science from The University of Texas at Austin and has previous experience in engineering and data analysis roles.
Work at NoRedInk
James (Wes) Adams serves as a Senior Data Analyst at NoRedInk, an Education Technology startup. He has been with the company since 2021 and was the first Data Analyst hired. In this role, he develops supervised and unsupervised machine learning models in Python, focusing on enhancing teacher experience and informing product priorities. He also establishes Business Intelligence reporting using tools such as Looker, Sisense, and Sigma. Adams standardizes and verifies data accuracy as the steward of the central Data Warehouse, utilizing Snowflake. He automates data processing with Snowflake, Data Build Tool (dbt), and Python, and administers git management for various data tools.
Education and Expertise
Adams holds a Master's degree in Data Science from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied from 2021 to 2024. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, completing his studies from 2013 to 2017. His educational background equips him with a strong foundation in data analysis and engineering principles, which he applies in his current role and previous positions.
Background
Before joining NoRedInk, Adams worked at FedEx Freight as an Analyst in Field Engineering from 2018 to 2021. He also held a position as a Communications Intern at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy for two months in 2011. Earlier in his career, he gained experience as a Chemical Engineering Intern at Buckman in 2014. His diverse background includes work in process engineering and data analysis for a logistics company, as well as chemical engineering for a biodiesel plant.
Technical Skills
Adams has developed expertise in various technical areas relevant to data analysis and machine learning. He trains and deploys Python machine learning models and improves product data using Snowflake SQL API requests in Ruby on Rails. He provides advanced analysis of usage and customer behavior to inform product strategy and company goals. His proficiency with data tools and programming languages allows him to automate processes and enhance data accuracy effectively.
Professional Contributions
In his role at NoRedInk, Adams leads interviews for candidates in positions such as Data Analyst, Full Stack Engineer, and Data Engineer. He plays a crucial role in shaping the data team and contributes to the overall growth of the organization. His ability to point out words that do not follow the 'i before e except after c' rule reflects his attention to detail, which is essential in data analysis.