Chris Willard

Regional Financial Institution (Illinois)

Built production AI systems and predictive models across finance, HR, compliance, and reporting workflows.

• Built agentic workflows with OpenAI, Claude, LangChain, and vector databases (Oracle, Pinecone, ChromaDB).
• Implemented RAG pipelines over SQL, PDFs, and internal docs with semantic retrieval and relevance filtering.
• Led enterprise AI adoption with governance, prompt design, guardrails, and staff training.
• Designed customer attrition and churn prediction models using Python, scikit-learn, XGBoost, and SQL.
• Integrated AI with existing banking infrastructure using APIs, Redis, workers, and event-driven patterns.

Public Research University (Missouri)

Led cross-functional teams delivering enterprise platforms and analytics systems.

• Delivered enterprise applications with Python, .NET, JavaScript, SQL, Docker, and ColdFusion.
• Architected data platforms for analytics and predictive use cases across multiple universities.
• Introduced CI/CD automation, ETL pipelines, and data validation workflows.
• Mentored developers on modern engineering practices and cloud deployment patterns.

Independent Consulting Practice (Missouri)

Built and delivered SaaS and consulting systems for fintech and regulated clients.

• Built and sold SaaS platforms using Docker, PHP, Node.js, MySQL, and cloud infrastructure.
• Designed ETL and analytics pipelines for fintech clients using Python, .NET, SQL, and message queues.
• Re-architected legacy enterprise systems with a focus on security, auditability, and performance.
• Developed AI/NLP prototypes including document parsing, classification, and semantic search.

Distribution and E-commerce Company (Missouri)

Maintained and enhanced large .NET/MSSQL e-commerce systems in regulated workflows.

• Implemented compliance, security, and performance improvements.
• Partnered with business stakeholders to map operational needs into technical solutions.

K-12 School District (Missouri)

Delivered data-driven applications and reporting tools across finance, HR, and district leadership.

• Built automated forecasting/reporting tools for budgeting and planning.
• Streamlined public-facing business processes through workflow automation.

Local Outreach Center (Missouri)

Oversaw operations and data management for a non-profit providing support services to local residents.

• Managed teams of dozens of volunteers doing hands-on work in the community.
• Migrated data systems from spreadsheets to a custom-built CRM application, improving data integrity and reporting capabilities.

K-12 District Research & Evaluation Department (Missouri)

Built enterprise analysis and reporting systems while modernizing legacy applications.

• Developed data/reporting systems using MSSQL, JavaScript, ASP, and .NET.
• Improved performance, maintainability, and usability of legacy applications.