We are excited to welcome Alec Coughlin as COO at Gemini Sports Analytics! Learn a bit more about him, in his own words:
Tell us a bit about yourself.
New York City will always be home, but my wife Julia, our rescue dog Winston, and I live in Raleigh, NC, which we love. I studied Finance and Philosophy (Classics) at University of Southern California. I love shooting pictures of Street Art, playing tennis, and I’ve picked up Surfing which I’m horrible at but can’t get enough of.
Describe your career journey and your previous experience. What drew you to tech and AI?
I started my career in Finance before becoming a Management Consultant in the Sports, Media + Entertainment space, which led to me becoming the VP of Sales + Marketing for the St. Louis Rams. My systems orientation drew me to AI, which began about 15 years ago when I started following my curiosity via digital, digital transformation and ultimately AI in / around 2016.
What inspired you to work with, and then for, Gemini? What do you bring to the table?
I’ve been involved since Day 0 with [CEO] Jake [Schuster]. I’ve always been driven by my curiosity for AI and deep belief in the opportunity, Jake, the team, and more recently the extraordinary and strategic investors involved. I believe I can raise the floor across Product, Operations, Sales, and Marketing, while enhancing our high performance and team culture through my commitment to leading from the front.
What are you currently working on at GSA, and what excites you most about the work you’ll be doing?
Enhancing our customer centricity, product focus, customer acquisition efforts and high performance team culture. Building an AI native product and a meaningful company that puts a dent in the Sports world.
What does AI / data mean to you? What does an AI future look like?
Unleashing human potential through Human and Machine collaboration. Humans + Machines, not Humans vs Machines.
What does it mean to be a great leader? What are some good leadership techniques?
Helping teams and individuals realize their potential while creating a high performance team culture that attracts talented, motivated and principled people. Leading from the front, cultivating intellectual honesty, applying first principles thinking and empowering people to be able to execute with minimal constraints.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
Follow your curiosity, think independently and make your thinking visible by committing to writing culture.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?
Follow your curiosity, think independently and make your thinking visible by committing to writing culture.
