About Me

Hi there, my name is Dakota Rennels.

I’m a graduate of the University of North Texas with a master’s degree in Advanced Data Analytics with a focus on Deep Learning and AI. I also hold another master's degree in Data Science and a bachelor's degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from the same institution. I spent the majority of my undergraduate journey at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College pursuing Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry. My academic journey seamlessly integrates computer science and engineering, providing me with a strong foundation in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, software development, and AI systems - all areas that align with my personal interests. This combination of skills allows me to design, build, and deploy innovative solutions that bridge intricate technological gaps and address critical business problems.

I currently work as a full-stack Data Scientist for Paycom, a leader in payroll and HCM operations. Working for Paycom has exponentially improved my well-rounded tech stack skills from concept ideation to driving applications into production. This end-to-end build of AI/LLM and data science applications has honed my ability in all the core skillsets needed in the modern data infrastructure. My current role allows me to be a key curator for an internal python library, used throughout the organization, both as a maintainer and a contributor to new functions and optimizations. Additionally, my role has given me the ability to conduct research-based projects within the LLM space. This has allowed me to experiment with a multitude of methodologies and push the limits of our existing documentation.

Working within the dev/IT departments has allowed me to gain valuable experience in all facets of the computer science field, along with the business and data strategy exposure. My current role also focuses on developing and deploying general machine learning models like decision trees, random forest, XGBoost, SVM, Kmeans, and KNN models to deep learning models like ANN, CNN, RNN, and NLP models. In my previous roles, I’ve used my technical expertise and collaboration skills to contribute to significant projects in AI systems, end-to-end data models, and software development. My experiences demonstrate my ability to navigate complex challenges and drive interdisciplinary projects. With a passion for technology and a versatile skill set, I’m well-positioned to make lasting contributions through innovation and collaboration.

  • Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • E‑mail: dakotarennels@gmail.com

Education

University of North Texas

Master of Science in Advanced Data Analytics & Data Science; GPA: 4.00/4.00
August 2021 - December 2023 Denton, Texas

Field of Specialization: Deep Learning & AI
Dedicated Project: State of Oklahoma Purchase Card Analysis
High Honors Degree: Awarded to Bachelor alumni who have graduated with a GPA greater than or equal to 3.50. (July 2023)
Relevant Coursework:
  • Data Analytics
  • Large Data Visualization
  • Harvesting, Storing and Retrieving Data
  • Discovery and Learning with Big Data
  • Applications and Deployment of Advanced Analytics
  • Deep Learning with Big Data
  • Recurrent Neural Networks for Sequence Data
  • Advanced Organizational Redesign
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Leadership
  • Introduction to Database Systems
  • Introduction to Image Processing
  • Machine Vision

University of North Texas

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences; GPA: 4.00/4.00
August 2021 - July 2022 Denton, Texas

Senior Capstone Project: Neural Networks for Anomaly Detection
Graduation Rank: Awarded rank 1 out of 1197 graduating seniors.
High Honors: Graduated with a perfect GPA and was on the President's Honor Roll every semester.
Relevant Coursework:
  • Data Analytics and Computational Statistics
  • Principles of Data Structures, Harvesting and Wrangling
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Methods for Discovery and Learning from Data
  • Pathways to Civic Engagement
  • Discovery & Inquiry
  • Organizational Redesign

University of Oklahoma

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
August 2012 - May 2020 Norman, Oklahoma

Field of Specialization: Biochemistry
Senior Capstone Project: Chemical Process Design
Relevant Coursework:
  • Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer
  • Chemical Engineering Computing/Statistics
  • Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  • Numerical Methods for Engineering Computation
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Differential and Integral Calculus
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Professional Development

Oklahoma City Community College

Associate of Science
December 2011 - July 2016 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Experience

Paycom

Data Scientist
March 2024 - Present, Full-time Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Hybrid)

  • End-to-end AI/LLM application development and deployment.
  • Work closely with business stakeholders and software development to provide valuable products and insights to improve business operations.
  • Extract data from enterprise systems and clean the data for analysis and modeling.
  • Conduct analysis to derive insights from data.
  • Develop visualizations of analytics and models for communicating findings.
  • Build, test, and validate predictive models and machine learning algorithms.
  • See models through the deployment stages and drive them to production.

State of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services
Data Scientist - Tiger Team Lead
January 2022 - March 2024, Full-time Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Hybrid)

  • Appointed as a technical resource to the Governor's AI Task Force.
  • Currently serving as the State's AI subject matter expert in Data Services.
  • Pioneered the first-ever implementation of a Conversational GenAI chatbot in the United States public sector.
  • Spearheaded AI & data-driven initiatives resulting in $2.2 million in cost savings for the state between 2022 and 2024.
  • Experience with identifying and evaluating new data sources and abandoned siloes.
  • Recognized for translating various business problems into successful AI and data science projects.
  • Development of A/B tests to enhance the performance of AI and data science applications, utilizing quasi-experimental methods to ensure robust model optimization.
  • Responsible for mentorship of junior data scientists and interns for a robust upskill and mentorship in various systems and processes.
  • Collaborates closely with analysts, DBAs, data engineers, and other professionals to design end-to-end machine learning models.
  • Proficient in creating impactful data visualizations to convey valuable insights.
  • Constant development of random forest, SVM, and other ensemble models for time series analysis, forecasting, and anomaly detection.

Vail Resorts

Data Analyst - Sales Operations Specialist
October 2020 - January 2022, Full-time Broomfield, Colorado, (Remote)

  • Implemented Data Science processes and models for sales-based analytics.
  • Performed quality assurance and risk management analysis of internal and external sales systems.
  • Enhanced communication methods from the team and other departments.
  • Developed improved competitive analysis methodology and coordinated with marketing teams for new method training.
  • Lead UAT testing for various e-commerce webpages and internal booking systems.
  • Headed process modernization efforts through the implementation of CRISP-DM and DAMA-DMBOK II methodologies for transactional data reports.
  • Identified process bottlenecks and inconsistencies to management while facilitating continuous process improvement.

Spirit Shop

Business Manager - Software Lead
October 2015 - June 2020, Full-time Norman, Oklahoma (In-Person)

  • Analyzed monthly data for sales and inventory trends.
  • Implemented new technology for automated inventory management.
  • Monitored day-to-day operations while actively managing project execution.
  • Performed daily accounting, budgeting, and transactional analytics.
  • Led teams to provide optimal customer service and lead sales-based events.

Projects

Page Maintenance Underway

Pardon the mess! This page is actively undergoing updates. Expect continuous changes.

Python Notebooks

A Github repository with various Python notebooks from general conversions to image processing operations and recurrent neural network algorithms.

Non-Profit SAS Analysis Project

A senior capstone project which efficiently utilizes SAS Data Miner to develop a streamlined analysis for non-profit use.

State Data Platform

A continuous project to build out a robust state data platform to aid in automated processes to aid citizens in both services and velocity of support.

Skills

Languages

python
Python
   
r
R
   
sql
SQL
   
c
C
   
cplusplus
C++
   
csharp
C#
   
java
Java
   
go
Go
   
javascript
JavaScript
   
html5
HTML5
   
matlab
MATLAB

Technologies

gcp
GCP
   
azure
Azure
   
aws
AWS
   
linux
Linux
   
postgresql
PostgreSQL
   
Flask
Flask
   
github
GitHub
   
jira
Jira
   
jupyter
Jupyter
   
kubernetes
Kubernetes
   
docker
Docker
   
django
Django
   
nodejs
Node.js
   
reactjs
React.js
   
mysql
MySQL
   
mongodb
MongoDB
   
git
Git
   
terraform
Terraform
   
bash
Bash
   
vscode
Visual Studio
   
powerbi
Power BI
   
jetbrains
JetBrains
   
sas
SAS
   
lambda
Lambda
   
google_analytics
Google Analytics
   
databricks
Databricks
   
firebase
Firebase
   
apache_spark
Apache Spark
   
pyspark
PySpark
   
bigquery
BigQuery
   
cloud_run
Cloud Run
   
nginx
Nginx
   
lucidchart
Lucidchart
   
confluence
Confluence

Libraries

opencv
OpenCV
   
scikit_learn
Scikit-Learn
   
pytorch
PyTorch
   
keras
Keras
   
tensorflow
TensorFlow
   
numpy
NumPy
   
pandas
Pandas
   
matplotlib
Matplotlib
   
seaborn
Seaborn
   
beautiful_soup
BeautifulSoup
   
faker
Faker
   

Collaborative Partnerships

google
Google
   
amazon
Amazon
   
microsoft
Microsoft
   
ey
EY
   
sas
SAS
   
thoughtworks
ThoughtWorks
   
salesforce
Salesforce
   
paypal
PayPal
   
ibm
IBM

Badges & Certifications

certifications_repo
Certificates
   
google_dev
Google Developer
   
google_skill
Skill Boost
   
trailblazer
Trailblazer

Resume/CV

Resume/CV

The above link contains my updated Resume/CV. You can also download it by clicking here.

GitHub Résumé

The above link contains my résumé GitHub repo. You can also navigate to it here.

Contact

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