David T. Hunt

(he/him)
Vice President
Oliver Wyman David Hunt - President Elect for INFORMS 2023 Election

Education

  • MSE, Princeton University (Civil Engineering and Operations Research)
  • BS, West Virginia University (Civil Engineering)

Professional Experience

  • Oliver Wyman, Vice President (2008-Present)
  • Cambridge Systematics, Senior Associate (2003-2008)
  • Wilbur Smith Associates, Senior Associate (2000-2003)
  • ALK Associates, Vice President (1983-2000)

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities

  • 2019-2022: Treasurer, INFORMS Executive Committee and Board of Directors
  • 2014-2015: Vice President of Chapters/Fora, INFORMS Board of Directors
  • 2015-2023: Pro Bono Analytics Committee, Founding Chair
  • 2022-2023: Member of team successfully modernizing the INFORMS Constitution
  • 2016: Ad Hoc Committee on Ethics Guidelines, Chair
  • 2016-2019: Co-organizer of Pro Bono Analytics events at annual conferences to support homeless populations in host cities (designing cards in Nashville, assembling hygiene packs in Houston and meal packs in Phoenix, creating quilts in Seattle)
  • 2020-2021: INFORMS Doctoral Colloquium, Panelist
  • 2019-2020: O.R. & Analytics Student Team Competition Organizing Committee and Judge
  • 2018-2020: Industry Outreach and Engagement Committee
  • 2016: INFORMS Nominating Committee
  • 2016: Franz Edelman Award Judge
  • 2016: INFORMS Strategic Planning Committee
  • 2015-2016: OR/MS Today and Analytics Magazine Committee
  • 2013-2016: Coffee with a Member
  • 2010-2015: Subdivisions Council
  • 2008-2010: New Jersey Chapter, President and launched the NJ Chapter Student Competition
  • 2002-2003: Railway Applications Section, Chair and was also a founding member in 1995, Treasurer, Cluster Chair, Founding Newsletter Editor, Student Paper Contest Judge
  • 2001: Transportation Science & Logistics, Society Officer

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • INFORMS President’s Award (2017)
  • INFORMS Volunteer Service Award (2017)

Selected National Service Activities

  • RCHP-AHC, currently serves as treasurer of a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and support to Ukrainian, Afghan, and other refugees, unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border, people involved in trafficking, and asylum seekers.

Selected Publications

  • 2021: “Can Algorithms be Ethical?” OR/MS Today
  • 2021: “Impact of INFORMS Strategic Plan: Where the Rubber Meets the Road” (with Radhika Kulkarni and Allen Butler) – OR/MS Today
  • 2017: “Using INFORMS Ethics Guidelines in the classroom” (with Scott Nestler)

Vision Statement

When the INFORMS Pro Bono Analytics program was launched, I received a heartfelt request from the founder of a community-based homeless shelter serving women and children. The founder said she collects data on families at the shelter and the services they use. She was sure the data could help her provide better services, but she didn’t know where to begin. We connected her with local INFORMS volunteers, who helped organize the data to support program improvements through more informed decision-making.

This story, to me, is what operations research and analytics represents – making direct and lasting impacts on society and the lives of people through research and applications. INFORMS members drive fact-based policy decisions, improve profits and growth at corporations, reduce inefficiencies for a more sustainable world – and help a homeless shelter better serve its community. Our vision succinctly sums it up: “Better decision-making for a just, prosperous, and sustainable world.”

I am honored to be nominated for President-Elect of INFORMS. My 32 years as a member, 6 years on the INFORMS Board, and a career in management consulting have helped prepare me for this position. If elected, I will strive to advance the five goals in our strategic plan:

1. Enhance Member Value

INFORMS provides tremendous member value through connecting people, disseminating research and best practices, honoring achievement, providing volunteer opportunities, and promoting the profession. There is, however, always room for improvement.

I will focus on enhancing value for all members, both in the United States and internationally, but especially for two cohorts:

  • Early Career Academic and Industry Professionals – INFORMS has a vibrant student community, but too many leave as they transition into their careers. It is important to provide meaningful opportunities and relevant content to the future leaders of our profession.
  • Industry Members – INFORMS offers great value for practitioners, but a campaign is needed to better package and promote this value to industry leaders and potential members.

2. Champion our Profession

A benefit of being INFORMS President is the opportunity to tout the cutting-edge research and impactful applications developed by our members. INFORMS needs to continue communicating these contributions outside of the O.R. community. I will therefore build on existing efforts to:

  • Engage funding agencies to discuss the relevance and impact of our work.
  • Support our members in expounding their contributions to science and society.

3. Advance the Science and Technology of Decision Making

During this golden age of algorithms, with frequent advancements and new buzzwords, INFORMS must promote the contributions and impacts from the O.R. community to ensure our voices are heard. Nominating members to serve on relevant national and international boards and committees is a key strategy to advancing our viewpoints.

4. Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

INFORMS is making great strides around volunteer and leadership opportunities, awards and recognition, and codifying DEI values in policies and procedures. I will:

  • Continue to support K-12 efforts and programs such as DEI Ambassadors that help attract more diversity into our field.
  • Champion how Pro Bono Analytics, Doing Good with Good O.R., and other efforts demonstrate that our solutions are inclusive for all and can equitably benefit everyone.

5. Ensure Operational Excellence and Financial Health

Having just completed four years as INFORMS Treasurer, I have a deep affinity for ensuring our financial health. INFORMS is in strong financial shape, but the budget impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt and curtailing opportunities to advance new member benefits. During my tenure as treasurer, the Finance Committee and INFORMS staff developed the first-ever 5-year financial plan with a path to a balanced budget. I would like to see this effort through.

Thank you for considering me for President-Elect of INFORMS!

For more information, please visit David Hunt | LinkedIn