John (Jack) Kohoutek, Ph.D.
About John (Jack) Kohoutek, Ph.D.
John (Jack) Kohoutek, Ph.D., serves as the Vice President of Machine Learning at Vesta, where he manages a global team of data scientists and focuses on developing advanced machine learning models. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University and has extensive experience in data science and engineering roles across various organizations.
Work at Vesta
John (Jack) Kohoutek serves as the Vice President of Machine Learning at Vesta since 2022. In this role, he manages a global team of Data Scientists dedicated to developing next-generation machine learning models. He is responsible for generating new intellectual property for Vesta.io and has played a key role in developing new digital fraud prevention product lines and revenue streams. Kohoutek ensures that model updates are released at gated intervals and deployed to production efficiently. He also facilitates cross-collaboration by embedding members of Product and Engineering teams, which enhances the integration of machine learning solutions within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Kohoutek earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing his studies from 2001 to 2005. He furthered his education at Northwestern University, where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from 2007 to 2012. Additionally, he studied Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania for one year in 2005-2006. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in machine learning and data science.
Professional Background
Before joining Vesta, Kohoutek held various positions that contributed to his professional development. He worked as an Analyst at McKinsey & Company in 2018-2019 and served as a Senior Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman Corporation from 2014 to 2016. He also gained experience in data science roles at Early Warning®, where he progressed from Sr. Data Scientist to Director of Data Science within a year in 2021. His early career included a position as a Post-doctoral Researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology from 2012 to 2014 and as a Research Assistant at Northwestern University from 2007 to 2012.
Achievements in Data Science
Kohoutek has made significant contributions to the field of data science, particularly in the areas of machine learning and digital fraud prevention. At Vesta, he has been instrumental in developing new product lines and revenue streams focused on fraud prevention. His role involves providing simplified, easy-to-read reporting on model updates for internal distribution, ensuring that stakeholders are informed about the progress and performance of machine learning initiatives. His leadership in managing a global team of Data Scientists reflects his commitment to advancing machine learning capabilities within the organization.