1. THOMAS J. COLLIER
3532 47th Street
Des Moines, IA 50310
H: 515-276-4726 / C: 717-449-3374
tjcollier@yahoo.com
Business Data Analyst with twenty years of diverse experience in the investment and telecom industries.
A liaison among stakeholders that elicits, analyzes, communicates, and validates requirements for changes to business
processes, policies, and information systems. Bridging the gap of understanding between business needs and
technology.
Member: International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA www.theiiba.org )
Experience: D.A. Davidson & Co. (Investment Firm) 1989 – 2001 / Qwest Communications 2002 – 2009
Qwest Communications
www.qwest.com
Senior Process Analyst
Apr 2002 - Jun 2009 / Des Moines, Iowa
Summary
Responsible for tracking contractors’ activity; maintaining contractor database; documenting and reporting on work
volume, spend, and damages. Collaborated with contract managers responsible for Qwest’s 14 state local network
region to develop state-specific methods to monitor work quality, data accuracy, and reporting timeliness. Made
recommendations on performance measures, interpretations of results, and corrective action. Managed the
integration, analysis and reporting of data from the following systems:
Enterprise Database Systems:
1.) NECTAS (‘Network Engineering & Construction Total Administration System’)
2.) IRTH (One Call dig request ticket processing system for underground utility locating)
3.) Claim Jumper (damage claims management system)
Extensively used Excel and pivot tables; Access, SQL, and data access pages for web and ODBC connections;
PowerPoint; Word; and Adobe Acrobat—for data extraction from enterprise databases, data processing, and reporting.
Results
° Managed database and reporting for contracted cable locating in 14 states. Designed processes and reports used
by both the field and executive management as standard for tracking damages, volumes, and cost of field
operations resulting in a better managed $60 million contract.
° Discovered significant gaps in Qwest’s enterprise databases making it impossible to map (link) data in critical
areas. Coordinated with respective database managers to modify tables and data entry processes by both Qwest
personnel and contractors. This increased visibility to work volume performed in the field by 33%.
° Investigated contract dispute between Qwest and contracted locator. During field visit discovered critical contract
processes being intentionally disregarded by the contractor. Proved $380,000 in disputed charges was based on
practices that neglected contract language.
° Managed the standardization of the work inspection process in Arizona, Colorado, and Iowa. Interviewed contract
managers and field inspectors for guidance on defining critical data points. Designed forms to gather data on the
company’s intranet, and provide on-line reporting of the data entered. Process was added as a requirement in the
contract thus making data comparable across a 14-state region.
° Evaluated telephone cable and buried-service-wire (BSW) damages. Though damage volume was approximately
50% cable and 50% BSW, dollars in cable damages comprised approximately 90% of total damage cost and BSW
only 10%. These findings caused the contract covering a 14 state region to be formally changed to focus on the
more costly cable damages which increased recovery cost by an estimated 15%, or $450,000.
° Supported seven contract managers providing data analysis and reporting on approximately 21 contractors.
2. D.A. Davidson Co. (Regional Investment Firm)
www.dadavidson.com
Equity Research Assistant / Information Systems Manager
Oct 1989 - Aug 2001 / Billings, Montana
Summary
Managed publishing of Wall Street analysts’ stock reports with focus on data accuracy and timeliness for the firm’s
equity research department. Trained all department personnel and new brokers on software and financial information
systems. Regularly assisted the research department director in primary research of publicly traded companies.
Served as liaison:
• Technical liaison for the firm to the Montana Board of Investments (1998 – 2001)
• Research liaison for the firm’s Wall Street analysts to the brokerage sales force (1989 – 1997)
Information / Data Systems used:
• Bloomberg
• ILX Market Data Systems
• StockVal Analytics
Extensively used Lotus & Excel; Cold Fusion web database program language and SQL; Freelance & PowerPoint; Word;
and Adobe Acrobat for data extraction, processing, and reporting/publishing.
Results
° Led the development of the firm’s first internet site, delivering equity research to brokers and clients with a critical
focus on increased timeliness as main objective. Online trading accounts were provided via contractor soon after,
retaining more than 100,000 retail clients.
° Trained analysts and staff on various financial systems and software increasing department productivity as each
analyst and staff support person became more self-sufficient.
° Designed and maintained spreadsheet models on publicly-traded companies followed. Managed the layout and
publication of the firm’s equity research reports, updates, and news feeds.
° Designed web-based system to provide proprietary stock reports to the Montana Board of Investments. Firm went
from last place to second in the list of firms selected by the Board for institutional trade executions. Increased
trading revenues by approximately $250,000 in the first quarter that the system went into effect.
° Designed Excel spreadsheets for publishing the firm’s “Recommended List” of publicly traded companies followed
by the firm’s analysts. Formatted Excel spreadsheet tables, charts, and graphs to add to published stock reports
for data visuals.
° Assisted analysts in writing stock reports on publicly traded companies. Co-authored stock report on Sun Micro
Systems, increasing retail trade revenue. Stock became a core holding in portfolios among 150+ broker sales force
and brought the firm an estimated $5 million in trading revenues.
° Designed investment presentations for analysts’ client dinners and brokers’ investment seminars.
° Managed a securities help desk fielding requests from over 150 brokers in the retail-brokerage sales force.
Requests consisted of performing equity portfolio review, creating client presentations, and providing information
on general securities questions.
° Supported equity research director and three Wall Street analysts in an effort to increase the number of stocks
followed by the firm thereby increasing trade revenue. Universe of stocks followed by the firm increased from
approximately 50-60 to over 100.
° Obtained several securities industry licenses in minimal amount of time.
° Served on the firm’s Marketing Committee, IT Committee, and Equity Research Committee.
3. Technical & Other Skills: (Years experience, Skill level)
° Excel spreadsheets (20 yrs, Expert)
° Access database (20 yrs, Expert)
° PowerPoint presentations (20 yrs, Expert)
° Word publishing (20 yrs, Expert)
° Adobe Acrobat (5 yrs, Intermediate)
° SQL programming (4 yrs, Intermediate)
° Publisher (2 yrs, Intermediate)
Business Analysis Skills
° Analyze and understand business problems
° Identify and document requirements
° Communicate effectively (written and spoken)
° Manage client relationships
° Facilitate discussions
° Negotiate and build consensus
° Model data and processes
° Plan and manage activities
° Facilitate and develop business strategy
° Understand and manage organizational change
Professional Licenses Held:
° Life, Accident, Health Insurance License (Iowa Insurance Division)
° Series 7 - Registered Representative; (NASD)
° Series 65 - Financial Advisor (NASAA)
° Series 63 - Uniform State Law (NASAA)
Education:
° Montana State University: Business Administration 1987-1989 Bozeman, Montana
° Community College of the Air Force: Civil Engineering 1979-1981 Maxwell AFB, Alabama
° Continued Education—Technical & Business Courses: Montana State University (Billings, MT); Des Moines Area
Community College (Des Moines, IA); AIMS Community College (Greeley, CO)
References:
° Available upon request