Title: Director of Data Operations and Business Analytics, Software and Data Engineer
Company: Trawick International
Location: AL/USA
Education: Pursuing Master’s Degree in Applied Statistics; Pursuing MBA; Pursuing Master’s Degree in Statistics; BS in Accounting and Finance, Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama (2020)
Career History: Director of Data Operations and Business Analytics, Software and Data Engineer, Trawick International (2021–Present); Technical Instructor, Microsoft Office and EVMS, AIDT (2017–2021); Business Intelligence Developer, Analyst III, Austal (2010–2021)
Christopher Thomas Mercer, Director of Data Operations and Business Analytics, Software and Data Engineer at Trawick International, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of technology.
Always driven by a thirst for knowledge and discovery, Mr. Mercer excelled in school and began college at just 15, before embarking on his career two years later. He initially pursued a career in restaurant management, working in the industry for several years before growing tired of its repetitive nature. Seeking something more fulfilling, he entered the construction industry, which led him to Austal Limited, a major shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where he began as a pipefitter apprentice in 2010.
Mr. Mercer’s innate curiosity and determination to improve operations quickly propelled him into production control, where he managed planning, scheduling, and earned value management for government contracts. From there, he discovered a natural talent for working with complex engineering data as a business intelligence developer and Analyst III—and, in the process, rose to the company’s top 50 among 4,000 employees. The experience sparked his interest in software engineering, prompting him to develop tools that automate data integration and reporting. From 2017 to 2021, he served as a technical instructor for Microsoft Office and EVMS at Alabama Industrial Development Training.
Recognizing the importance of formal education in deepening his understanding of business, Mr. Mercer was inspired by the film “The Wolf of Wall Street” to return to college and pursue studies in finance and accounting. He ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance from the Mitchell College of Business within the University of South Alabama in 2020. Since 2021, he has served as the Director of Data Operations and Business Analytics, as well as a Software and Data Engineer at Trawick International. In this capacity, he manages and develops application integrations and controls for multiple transaction processing and information systems; designs and implements data models, visualizations, and analytics for decision support and executive support systems; creates and maintains power BI reports and dashboards for analytics and forecasting; and provides organizational support in system troubleshooting, usage, development, and continuous improvement, among myriad responsibilities.
In addition, Mr. Mercer works as a lead data engineer for a software firm specializing in telecommunications. Across both organizations, each operating on a global scale, he oversees all aspects of data operations, including data collection, system integration, and database architecture. His work spans from managing medium-sized databases to designing and maintaining large-scale systems that process billions of records annually, all of which he personally designs and optimizes. Looking toward the future, he aims to complete master’s degrees in applied statistics and business administration, earning both with high honors, while also obtaining the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certifications. In conjunction, he plans to continue his work at his current firms while growing three companies he recently founded—a firm specializing in data integration and intelligence, a digital marketing company, and an investment firm.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Mercer and his wife have three children.