Who We Are
Christophe Combemale, PhD
CEO, Principal Partner
Professor Christophe Combemale is both the founder and owner of Valdos Consulting, and Assistant Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Engineering & Public Policy. Dr. Combemale applies his interdisciplinary research and his experience in operations management, engineering, workforce demand, and economics to develop scalable, repeatable solutions for both government and private-sector clients.
Katharine Combemale
Business Manager
Katharine Combemale is co-founder and business manager of Valdos Consulting. With a background in medical and academic executive support and administrative coordination, Katharine supports Valdos’s office from the ground up.
Patrick Funk, PhD
Associate Partner, Senior Consultant
Balancing comprehensive technical expertise with leadership in diverse settings, Dr. Patrick Funk brings a unique blend of decision science, machine learning, and economic modeling skills to Valdos Consulting. His experience spans from leading advanced manufacturing efforts to researching machine learning algorithms.
Dustin Ferrone, MSSE
Senior Systems Engineer, Senior Consultant
Dustin Ferrone is a seasoned data scientist with expertise in operations engineering. He is dedicated to enhancing data-driven process improvements. Dustin excels in systems analysis, project management, and cutting-edge predictive risk-modeling techniques. He is an expert at moving seamlessly from detailed engineering design questions to the implications for project direction and vision.
Andrew Barber, PhD
Senior Consultant, Economist
Dr. Andrew Barber specializes in applied microeconomics, with a particular interest in public, labor, health and education economics. His diverse background includes a Civil and Environmental Engineering BS from Cornell University, giving a robust technical foundation to his economic expertise. At Valdos Consulting, he leverages deep knowledge and analytical economic skills to develop data-driven solutions to complex challenges.
Shantanu Samant, MSPPM
Associate Consultant
Shantanu Samant brings skills deeply rooted in data analytics, machine learning and programming, blending academic grounding with hands-on experience. He has successfully executed projects from developing AI-enhanced educational platforms to sophisticated data analytics in public policy and commercial environments, showcasing his dedication to using data for effective decision-making.
Justin McDonnell, MAPS
Technical Editor
Justin develops documentation of research methods and supports the translation of key findings. He contributes to organizational growth through grant and proposal writing, applying his social sciences and humanities background to strengthen project narratives, rationales, and outcome analyses. His experience with diverse international contexts informs his understanding of evidence-based policymaking and socioeconomics, offering nuanced perspectives at the nexus of public and private sectors.