Otis Benton Smith, III, 35, is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Applied Methods Inc. Otis started Applied Methods Inc. to help small and mid-size retail companies convert data into strategic information.   Prior to starting Applied Methods, Otis developed a solid understanding of the business of retail as the general manager of a $40 Million Home Depot Store and as the co-manager of an $80 Million store.  As a Store Manager, Otis developed and implemented several basic decision support and modeling tools that helped his stores achieve both revenue and profit goals. 

Otis’ understanding of scientific modeling techniques began with his undergraduate education at the U.S. Naval Academy.  He developed a passion for the discipline of applying scientific methods to decision making processes, also known as Operations Research/Management Science (OR/MS), while studying Management Science in graduate school and while working as an Operations Research Analyst for the Navy Recruiting Command.

Following a distinguished active duty Naval career (two Navy Achievement Medals and one Navy Commendation Medal), Otis’ passion for technology led him to the telecommunications industry where he held several leadership roles with RCN Communications.  With a solid understanding of various business functions, Otis accepted a general management opportunity for Home Depot in its selective Store Leadership Program.   

Otis’ accomplishments inside Home Depot’s Store Leadership Program enabled him to complete the program with a performance rating of “High Potential”.  His responsibilities included profit and loss, inventory management, and personnel management (100 – 200 associates). Otis accomplishments included helping an under performing store increase productivity by 20% and executing the grand opening of a new store that exceeded first quarter revenue and profit targets.      

Otis is a member of the Institute For Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS).  He completed a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, an M.S. from Central Michigan University, and additional graduate courses in Applied and Computational Mathematics at Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering.  Otis is a volunteer with the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and enjoys competing in triathlons.  Otis and his wife Michon have one daughter, Tiffany.