About me

I turn data into actionable insights. I can help you move decisively through your most knotty or slippery problem, whether it has too much data, too little data, too many unknowns, or too ma...

I turn data into actionable insights. I can help you move decisively through your most knotty or slippery problem, whether it has too much data, too little data, too many unknowns, or too many constraints. I’m an instructor and consultant in data science, decision analysis, Excel for analysts and decision-makers, statistics for Six Sigma, systems engineering, and more. I’m the author of the book "Simple Spreadsheets for Hard Decisions," which teaches leaders to use the interactive features of Excel to explore ever-changing questions. I’ve taught these powerful techniques to technical managers at major corporations and government agencies through short courses at major universities. Now, after 20 years, I’m bringing these simple but strong tools to a general audience through the Udemy class series, “Excel for Decision Makers.” The first is now available, “Insights from Data using Excel.”  I love doing mathematics research. I have a Ph.D. in mathematics with several recent research papers in peer-reviewed journals and a graduate-level text, “Abelian Groups: Structures and Classifications” (with Peter Loth, de Gruyter, 2019). Before founding Jacoby Consulting, I had 28 years of experience as a systems engineer specializing in the critical early stages of system development.  Specialties: Data science, decision analysis, systems engineering, systems-of-systems, assessment of needs, concept development, mission analysis, concept effectiveness, system simulation, system trade studies, Microsoft Excel, writing, briefing, training, motivational speaking, intelligent transportation systems, defense, mathematics research in abelian group theory and logic.