A Look At Our Trajektory Team
Around the business world, industries of all breadths are as interconnected as ever. As the uber-competitive market economy gains knowledge, recognizes trends, and improves methods for proficiency, a number of different skill sets are necessary for success. Individuals of varying backgrounds are able, and often encouraged, to work in sectors entirely foreign to past employment.
This development is the reality within sports as in any other industry. Specialists of diverse degrees, qualifications, and achievements are welcomed with open arms to roles with teams, leagues and universities. A classic instance is the “Moneyball Effect”, where an analytics-led, Oakland Athletics front office in the early 2000s, followed by on-field consistency, resulted in a data renaissance amongst all of the professional sports. Today, data analysts and programmers play integral roles for organizations (not just in baseball) across most departments.
As interconnectedness in sports grows, so too do the innovative attempts of “outsiders”. How often, in sports and in general, is something along the lines of, “industry outsider provides the solution to [insert relevant issue]” offered? Sure, there are examples of newcomers who bring outside-the-box insight and solve crucial problems, but there is still something to be said about the relevant, applicable experience. That’s what Trajektory’s services guarantee, as the leadership conglomerate is well-versed in the sports realm. Simply put, Trajektory’s squad has encountered every roadblock, data limitation, and hair-pulling bottleneck that appears throughout the process.
For starters, three prominent Trajektory team members all competed as college athletes. Alex Kerr, Trajektory’s Founder & CEO, played on the baseball team at Division III Kenyon College. Rutgers’ Swimming & Diving team (then of the Big East) was once represented by Sharon Fish, Co-Founder & COO. North of the border, Courtney Whiteside, Director of Marketing, captained the University of Guelph soccer team with a league All-Star and team MVP to her name.
Courtney Whiteside played five seasons as a midfielder for the University of Guelph Gryphons (photo via gryphons.ca)
Of course, playing a sport at a high level doesn’t make or break a business leader’s problem-solving abilities (just ask Michael Jordan about his tenure as the Charlotte Hornets’ owner), but the context always helps. Combining on-field competition with off-field employment fosters a sound, wholesome scope of the industry; Alex, Sharon, and Courtney cook that exact recipe.
Prior to Trajektory’s founding, Alex spent years working in sports highlighted by a tenure as a Business Intelligence Leader at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the governing body of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics, and several eSports entities among others.
CEO and Founder, Alex Kerr
Monumental is where the three’s experience aligns, as Sharon (Director of Partner Strategy & Development) and Courtney (Strategic Marketing) alike worked for the D.C.-based company. It was there that each came to face the realities and challenges of sponsorship reporting and insights, and the adverse impact these limitations had on sponsorship relationships.
Sharon on the Capitals Ice during her time at Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Alongside Monumental, Sharon’s career includes marketing/sponsorship positions at the Dan Patrick Show, DIRECTV, and rEvolution with roles grounded in branding and partnership focuses. Additionally, Courtney worked in the same capacity with Executive Media Communications, a marketing agency connecting major brands (such as Papa John’s) with sports partnerships.
Marrying our team’s invaluable expertise in sports with advanced technological capabilities is truly the secret sauce of Trajektory. Led by Co-Founder Matt Powers, the development department is as conditioned for creating an intuitive platform as any group out there.
Matt Powers leading Trajektory Pow Wow brainstorm session.
Matt, who once served as President of Illinois University’s Basketball Analytics program, utilized his background as a Google Engineer to build out our own Google Tech Deck.
Like Matt, the rest of the Trajektory roster and advising board possess top-tier practice in a number of sectors. From the Washington Football Team to Merkle, or Ripken Baseball to GE to Paragon, the group has accumulated thousands of work hours in distinct roles that leave no stone unturned.
At the end of the day, there is no substitute for hard-earned, “been there, done that” work experience. Meshing all ends of the workplace spectrum together, Trajektory’s team presents a tried-and-true product coupled with careful, conscientious assistance. Put your partnership data in the hands of trusted, industry-hardened nerds best equipped to tell your statistical story.
Written By Tyler Webb