Abby: Welcome back to the Data Trust blog. This week we are joined by former employee and data extraordinaire Chester Bedell. Today we will be hearing a bit about him, his time at Data Trust, and what he is up to now. Thanks for agreeing to talk with us, Chester!
Chester: Happy to be here!
Abby: To start, tell us about yourself.
Chester: I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. I love exploring the outdoors (hiking, skiing, backcountry camping), watching sports, and listening to live music. I also have a hidden talent for impersonating people, namely former presidents, and most people from South Boston like Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting.
Abby: Thanks for that insight into your life. With all these interests, what led you into working with data?
Chester: After the end of Governor Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign in February 2016, where I primarily worked on the data & analytics team, as well as in ballot access and door-to-door voter contact, I took a few weeks to recharge. I decided to get more experience leveraging and working with data and began taking interviews for positions in various industries across several cities. I became interested in Data Trust because of its connection to politics. I also had several friends from my hometown and former colleagues who were working at Data Trust then, so once a job offer was extended to me, I was excited to join the team.
Abby: What was your position at Data Trust?
Chester: Initially, I started as a Data Collection Coordinator, followed by roles in External Support (now known as Client Services) as an analyst and an embedded staffer at the RSLC. After three successful years holding 61 Republican legislative chambers, winning what was at the time the most expensive state Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin history, and flipping a state house seat which had never held by Republicans in Pennsylvania, I returned to the Data Trust HQ as our Director of Business Development.
Abby: Sounds like you had a broad range of positions. What are you up to now and how did Data Trust prepare you for the work you are doing?
Chester: I am currently the Director of Partnerships at Tunnl. My job is to make sure our data is accessible in the platforms where our clients expect to find it. My experiences at Data Trust played a big part in why I felt prepared for this position. Data Trust’s mission and focus helped me understand politics, trends, and how to utilize actionable insights and make data powerful. Being able to pull from that knowledge in selling a product is incredibly valuable.
Abby: As you have gone through these different positions, and particularly the one you are in now, what has made your work meaningful?
Chester: I find that my work is most meaningful when I either get the chance to help someone solve a problem they have had for a long time, or when I get to do something new and innovative. Helping someone become more efficient and effective in their job can be made possible by leveraging relevant data. Working at a job that challenges me while helping others in the process gives me fulfillment.
Abby: Our final question today is this: if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Chester: I would travel to Tanzania to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a goal of mine to reach the summit there and to experience hiking and camping in a more challenging environment.
Abby: That is an awesome goal and I hope you get to the chance to accomplish that. That is all we have for today. We really appreciate you taking the time!
Chester: Thanks the opportunity!