Scott Meier

Current Role/Title: 

Director, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, IBM. I am a consultant to federal agencies and provide vision and overall leadership to the data, science, business intelligence, data analytics and data warehousing business units in support of our customers.

What is something fascinating happening in your industry right now?

From an industry perspective, Artificial Intelligence, GenAI, and the issue of governance. Whether this should fall on legislative bodies or be self-governed has implications for everyone and everything as precedence will be established both by action and inaction.

How did you end up in your current position?

I recently retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. I served in various capacities throughout my career, but my last role was as the founder and Director of Data Analytics Service for the Department. I played a role in advancing data science in the VA and served as Chair of several VA councils on analytics; was a founding director of a Federal Executive Council of government data leaders; and served as an Advisor to University of Texas, Master of Science in Business Analytics graduate program. Throughout a federal career you work alongside a lot of public corporations serving in a consulting role and when it was my time to retire from federal service, I joined one such organization that had supported me professionally. While I changed teams, I still support the VA mission and my fellow Veterans. 

In what ways has your Mizzou education/affiliation impacted your life since graduation? 

Earning a Crosby MBA marked a pivotal career change for me. I had two decades of nuclear operations and research but at the time was unsure of where the industry was heading. The MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration from the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs led to my next career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and ultimately to my current position with IBM. It has provided me the opportunity to work at the highest level of our federal government and with a corporation that has stood the test of time as a leader in technology. And as a partner and program advisor for other universities, I’ve been able to continue my affinity with higher education.

Why did you choose Mizzou—what makes Mizzou special? Why should someone consider Mizzou?

The first time I chose Mizzou was because it was my state school. I grew up in a tiny farming community in the bootheel of Missouri and I wanted to be exposed to new opportunities, and experiences, and people. The second time I chose Mizzou was because it had become home, I could use my Navy nuclear background to become staff at the Missouri University Research Reactor (aka MURR), but mostly I had unfinished business with my education. I was able to complete my degrees by attending courses part time while working full time. Plus, I knew it would be a great place to raise my daughter. 

Fondest memories while a student or faculty member here?

Being associated with MU across multiple stages of life, there are so many. But when I boil it down, it comes back to the people that have been an integral part of the story of my life. The lifelong friends I made, both as a Mizzou student and staff, will be the things I remember the most. I’ve witnessed Columbia transform over time, but the University has always been the cornerstone that draws people in. And I’m glad that it is part of my life story, and that of my daughter who has made Columbia her own.

In your spare time, what do you like to do? 

Cooking is my passion and my therapy after a long day of work. Between my time in the Navy and coming back to MU, I attended culinary school in Seattle and worked many aspects of the food industry. The kitchen is an oasis where I can express my creativity in a manner that is immediately shared, and hopefully enjoyed, with others. It also is the ideal setting to enjoy my other passion of music as there is no better metaphor for the organized chaos of a kitchen than a dance. 

Please feel free to add any other thoughts!

Mizzou has been part of my life since I first showed up on campus in the mid-80s and returned years later.  As an undergrad, an employee, a grad student, and a father of an alum…the University and the town of Columbia is in my DNA. 

M…I…Z!!