SAS appoints JR Helmig to drive federal analytics strategy

Leader in financial, analytical and intelligence fields will match SAS® analytics strengths to federal government needs

Business analytics leader SAS has tapped JR Helmig to guide the company’s federal data and analytics strategy. Helmig has spent his career solving big data challenges for the world’s largest companies, as well as for the US departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Treasury, and the intelligence community. Prior to 9/11, he served in the private financial sector.

Helmig’s mission is to further SAS Federal’s efforts to transform government agencies by improving data collection and strengthening data-based decision making. Helmig will identify federal analytics trends and sources of disruption, foster public-private partnerships, and support research and development.

“JR brings a uniquely broad market and domain expertise to the SAS Federal team,” said Karen Terrell, Vice President of SAS Federal. “He can look across government to forecast changes in the analytical, technology and regulatory landscapes. He’ll bring that knowledge to bear as he positions SAS’ advanced analytics to help the federal government improve operations. He can also target specific domains, particularly the converging national security, illicit finance and cyber arenas. That’s where some of our country’s most critical battles are waged.”

Previously, as Special Project Officer for SDA Inc., Helmig transitioned national security applications into the private financial and supply chain sectors. He was a Senior Advisor (GS-15) for the Office of the Director for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at the Treasury Department during a $140 million modernization. He also founded Leveraged Outcomes LLC, an executive consulting practice.

“As a global leader in developing and deploying advanced analytics to help government, SAS is fighting fraud, tracking infectious disease, preventing insider threats and arming warfighters with mission-critical information,” said Helmig. “But there is so much more analytics can do. We can improve services, save taxpayer money and protect the public, especially by taking advantage of the ecosystem of big data, mobile technologies and the Internet of Things. It is a privilege to have the backing of such strong technology, and I look forward to helping SAS change government for the better.”

Helmig is an active member of Business Executives for National Security. He worked with the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists to create the Certified Financial Crimes Specialist global certification. He is also InfraGard’s Financial Industry Co-Sector Chief for the National Capitol Region. He is rated as a US Government Master-Level Subject Matter Expert.