Tommy Gagné
Machine learning specialist with an engineering background.
I primarily work on time series analysis and tabular modeling, with additional experience in computer vision. I mostly develop in Python (NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, Scikit-Learn, XGBoost).
I am actively involved in the business community and enjoy contributing to diverse industries. For example, I sit on the board of the Jeune Chambre de Drummond and run several entrepreneurial projects.
Before transitioning my career toward artificial intelligence, I worked as an engineer and project manager on major construction sites in the United States, some exceeding $150M.
I am a math and statistics enthusiast and have taught differential and integral calculus at ÉTS.
As an athlete at heart, hockey runs in my blood.
My Technologies
Here are the technologies I work with.
Evaluating LLM Strategic Reasoning with the Game of Nim
As part of a personal AI engineering project, I built an experimental environment based on the mathematical game of Nim to evaluate the strategic reasoning capabilities of different large language models (LLMs). Despite its simple rules, the game offers deep strategic complexity and is well suited to studying how models handle fixed, dynamic, and memory-based constraints.
At each move, models are required to explicitly explain their reasoning, allowing me to analyze their logic, anticipation skills, and ability to adapt over time. The project combines mathematics, logic, prompt engineering, and comparative experimentation between proprietary and open-source models.
I also document technical decisions, observed limitations, and behavioral differences between LLMs when confronted with pure strategy problems.
Automated Meeting Minutes Generation with LLMs
I built a tool powered by LLMs that automatically generates structured meeting minutes from an audio or video recording. The tool extracts and organizes key information: a summary (participants, date, location), discussion points, key takeaways, votes, and action items assigned to board members and the executive director.
An agenda can also be provided to guide and structure the output, ensuring the minutes follow the actual flow of the meeting and remain clear, consistent, and ready to use.
As Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jeune Chambre de Drummond, I integrated AI into this recurring process to improve efficiency and accuracy. The source code is available on GitHub for demonstration purposes.
Real Estate Analysis Algorithm
I am currently developing a real estate analytics project designed to estimate the fair market value of properties for sale and identify those that may be undervalued. The engine behind the project relies on a complete pipeline for processing tabular data, including extraction, cleaning, enrichment and predictive modeling.
The models explored include Scikit-Learn, XGBoost and RandomForest, each evaluated across four essential axes: performance, stability, efficiency and robustness.
This project, still in development, is intended to offer practical tools to real estate brokers, investors, and analysts to improve decision-making and quickly identify the most attractive opportunities.
President & Lead AI Developer | Predistat
I created Predistat, an algorithm combining artificial intelligence, sports analytics, and advanced statistical modeling, originally designed with the intention of commercializing it. I engineered a fully automated system capable of extracting player data, modeling game outcomes, and automatically placing the most profitable sports bets.
Predistat is currently deployed on three major leagues: the NHL, MLB, and NBA. It analyzes millions of player data points, performs projections using time-series models, and leverages machine learning techniques such as XGBoost, Random Forest and neural networks. Among its innovations, the exclusive wDiff (weighted differential) statistic provides a more accurate measure of a player's true contribution beyond traditional indicators.
However, legal constraints related to financial recommendations and the sports betting industry forced me to limit the system’s use to a strictly personal framework. Since 2023, I have been using Predistat for my own sports betting, fully autonomously and continuously. It has represented a significant part of my passive income for the past two years, allowing me to reach financial independence.
The wDiff: An Advanced and Exclusive Statistic
The wDiff is an advanced statistic I developed as part of the Predistat project. My goal was to go far beyond the traditional plus/minus, which is often criticized for lacking nuance. The wDiff accounts not only for goals scored or conceded while a player is on the ice, but also for the full context: even strength, power play, penalty kill, and the actual time spent in each situation.
By weighting events based on league-wide averages observed in the NHL, I created a metric capable of estimating how many goals a player actually generated or prevented compared to what an average player would have done in the same circumstances. This approach offers a clearer view of true player impact, especially for supporting roles that are poorly reflected by classic statistics.
The wDiff is now integrated into Predistat’s prediction engine, helping refine lineup evaluation and model team dynamics more accurately by accounting for each player’s contextual contribution.
Advanced Statistics Analysis
As part of Predistat, I developed a complete data analysis infrastructure based on more than 275 million statistical data points collected over 15 seasons of professional hockey. My work focused primarily on data science: understanding the structure of the data, uncovering significant trends, and creating metrics capable of accurately describing real on-ice play.
I built pipelines to extract, normalize, and enrich complex data such as puck possession, offensive and defensive zone efficiency, actual time on ice, shot quality, special-team situations (PP/PK), player positioning, and line dynamics. The goal was to make these datasets coherent, comparable, and exploitable for in-depth analysis.
An essential part of the project involved transforming millions of events into advanced indicators. I conducted extensive exploratory analyses, cross-correlations, distribution modeling for game situations, and segmentation methods to profile different types of players. This work revealed patterns invisible to the naked eye, enabled objective comparison of playing styles, and offered a much richer interpretation of modern hockey.
Teaching Mathematics and Physics
Throughout my university studies, I have always evolved in an environment where mathematics played a central role. In parallel with my engineering curriculum, I taught several fundamental courses related to data science, including physics, differential and integral calculus, matrix algebra, and statistics.
I taught these subjects both in front of groups of students at ÉTS, as a teaching assistant in lab and tutorial sessions, and in the form of private tutoring, where I worked one-on-one with students struggling with more complex concepts.
This experience allowed me to develop strong skills in explaining advanced mathematical concepts clearly, structuring step-by-step explanations, and helping students master the theoretical foundations that underpin modern data analysis methods.
Automated Fundamental Analysis of Stock Markets
As part of my personal projects, I've developed a Python algorithm capable of automatically analyzing more than 60,000 stocks worldwide using public financial data. The system extracts, cleans and interprets company financial statements to generate an objective fundamental score for each security.
The algorithm also performs intrinsic value estimates based on long-term investment models, including DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) simulations and margin-of-safety calculations inspired by fundamental analysis methods.
I use these scores and valuations in my own investment decisions, which allows me to quickly compare thousands of companies and identify those with the most attractive risk-adjusted potential.
Analysis and Simulation of Investment Strategies
I have always been passionate about understanding financial markets and the mechanisms that drive portfolio performance. To further develop this expertise, I created a Python algorithm that allows me to simulate and test a wide range of investment strategies under real or historical market conditions.
With this tool, I run detailed statistical analyses, generate graphical visualizations, and compute key indicators such as the Sharpe ratio, CAGR, max drawdown, and volatility. These metrics help me rigorously assess the risks and robustness of each strategy.
This systematic approach enables me to objectively compare different investment methods and identify those that offer the best balance between potential return and risk management.
Automated Generation of Complex Sports Schedules
As part of my work at NBHPA, I developed a complete scheduling system for sports leagues with sometimes more than one hundred teams and several thousand players. In the world of dek hockey, schedule creation is especially complex: many players are part of multiple teams, each player has their own availability constraints, and both teams and leagues have their own specific rules.
I designed an advanced PHP algorithm capable of taking all these constraints into account and generating, in just a few clicks, a valid schedule that respects player availability, team requirements, and the league’s global constraints. League administrators can configure their parameters dynamically, allowing the tool to automatically produce an optimized and coherent game calendar.
This system has significantly reduced the manual workload for leagues while improving the quality and reliability of the schedules produced.
Full-Stack Developer | NBHPA
Since my teenage years, I have been involved in the world of DekHockey, which allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the operational needs of leagues, administrators, and players. This hands-on experience became a major asset when I was recruited by the North Ball Hockey Player Association (NBHPA) as a software developer.
My role was to design and develop a complete league-management platform, now used by more than a hundred leagues across Québec and by tens of thousands of players. I built a full-stack system in PHP and MySQL, including features such as:
- management of players, teams, seasons, and registrations
- automated generation of statistics and standings
- dynamic administrative interfaces
- integration of custom modules for each league
- performance optimization to support high traffic and large data volumes
This platform centralizes operations, significantly reduces the manual workload for league managers, and is now the primary tool used daily by partner leagues.
Digital Solutions Consultant | Nimbus PDR
Another major project I worked on in recent years is the solution developed for Nimbus PDR. In collaboration with a client in Alberta, I designed a mobile application (iPad) and a web platform that streamline the creation of repair estimates for collision-repair centers. In a region heavily affected by hail, the application allows estimators to take photos of damage directly in the shop and produce a complete estimate within minutes.
The application also manages communication with insurance companies, handles approval workflows, and automatically notifies the customer as repairs progress.
Built with FileMaker, the solution proved so effective that it was later adapted for needs beyond hail damage. It is now used across several Fix-Auto shops in Alberta and British Columbia.
Digital Solutions Consultant | Various Mandates
In parallel with major projects such as Nimbus PDR, I have supported several organizations from highly diverse industries. For example, I have worked with insurance companies, a fertility clinic, a wildlife bird sanctuary, automotive repair shops, and a pork feed mill. Each mandate required quickly understanding the client’s business reality, constraints, and objectives in order to design tools that deliver real, practical value in the field.
For example, for the Le Nichoir wildlife sanctuary, I developed an intake management system for injured birds, enabling case tracking, improving traceability, and simplifying the workflow for onsite staff. In other mandates, I built internal management applications, automated processes, and created interfaces tailored to non-technical teams, ensuring that technology integrates naturally into daily operations.
This variety of projects taught me to step into my clients’ shoes, speak their language, and translate technical concepts into actionable business decisions. My approach sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship and software development: understanding business models, identifying efficiency levers, and building robust digital solutions adapted to each organization’s reality.
Board of Directors | Jeune Chambre de Drummond
Since 2023, I have been involved with the Jeune Chambre de Drummond (JCD), a dynamic organization that brings together young professionals and entrepreneurs from the region. In 2025, I joined the board of directors as a director and secretary, a role that allows me to contribute directly to the governance and strategic development of the organization.
My responsibilities include drafting and managing the minutes of board meetings, following up on board decisions, and actively participating in strategic discussions that guide the JCD’s projects and initiatives. I also help coordinate several operational aspects to ensure smooth and transparent functioning of the organization.
This involvement gives me the opportunity to connect with a wide network of entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals from various sectors, which deepens my understanding of the business challenges specific to different industries. It is, for me, a unique opportunity to contribute to the economic vitality of my community.
Vice President of Operations | National Ball Hockey League
Since 2020, I have served as the Vice President of Operations for the National Ball Hockey League (LNHB), the very first professional ball hockey league in Québec. This role placed me at the center of a large-scale, province-wide project requiring strong leadership and rigorous project management.
I led the implementation of the league’s organizational processes, contributed to the creation of its official operational structure, and oversaw several key initiatives, including the planning and execution of live-broadcast sporting events, logistical coordination with partners, and the management of projects involving financial, media, and operational challenges.
I also handled the operational coordination of 12 franchises, each with its own teams, constraints, and local leadership. My role included chairing governance meetings, managing relationships with team owners, and making strategic decisions shaping the evolution of the league.
This position allowed me to leverage my skills in leadership, communication, complex project management, and professional event organization, while supporting the growth of a sport played by more than 100,000 participants every week in Québec.
Project Manager | Groupe ADF
After completing my engineering studies, I joined Groupe ADF, a company specializing in the fabrication and construction of large-scale steel structures across the United States. I first worked as an estimator, evaluating projects worth tens of millions of dollars, before being assigned to the field as a site coordinator and later as an assistant project manager.
These responsibilities allowed me to contribute directly to the management of major structural projects totaling several hundred million dollars. I notably participated in the coordination of the Salt Lake City International Airport (150M$), the Los Medanos College in California (2.5M$), the All Aboard Florida project in Miami (100M$), as well as design-related work for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (75M$).
On these sites, I was responsible for work planning, interdisciplinary coordination between engineering, fabrication and construction, as well as schedule tracking and logistical oversight. Working in complex, fast-moving international environments strengthened my adaptability, organizational skills, and expertise in managing large-scale engineering projects.
TournoiSolution
At just 18 years old, I gained my first experience in leadership and project management by founding TournoiSolution, a business offering logistical and operational support for DekHockey tournaments. For over five years, I was responsible for the full scope of event organization: tournament planning, on-site coordination, registration management, and creating team schedules.
Beyond operations, I also handled client prospecting, service sales, and proposal preparation, allowing me to develop strong business acumen and a concrete understanding of the needs of sports event organizers.
TournoiSolution became a true foundation in my entrepreneurial journey, offering me the opportunity to lead complex projects, manage high-responsibility mandates, and finance my studies while strengthening my organizational and leadership skills.
Co-Captain & Champion | Steel Bridge Competition
During my engineering studies at ÉTS, I served as co-captain of a student engineering team responsible for designing, fabricating, and optimizing a steel bridge for international civil engineering competitions. This role required both strong leadership and technical project management, as I coordinated a team of students, planned design phases, oversaw shop fabrication, and ensured compliance with strict performance, weight, and assembly constraints.
Under my leadership, our team won 1st place in 2016 and finished 3rd in 2017, ranking ahead of more than 250 universities from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. These results demanded rigorous planning, effective resource management, and a strong ability to solve technical problems under pressure.
A fun fact: the year after I graduated, the ASCE – the American organization overseeing these competitions – changed its rules to exclude Canadian universities from competing in the U.S... let’s just say they did not particularly enjoy being beaten by a Québec team!
Academic Background
Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Computer Science
Télé-université (TELUQ)
Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Engineering
École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Diploma of College Studies
Civil Engineering Technology
Cégep de Sherbrooke
University Merit Award | Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec
Each year, the Foundation of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (FOIQ) recognizes engineering students who stand out through their academic achievements and community involvement.
The University Merit Awards highlight the commitment to excellence demonstrated by selected engineering students, and I received this distinction in 2018.
Excellence Scholarship | TÉLUQ
Through the TÉLUQ Fund of the Fondation de l’Université du Québec, TÉLUQ awards scholarships to its students, encouraging excellence, involvement, and academic success.
My academic performance and community engagement enabled me to earn this scholarship.
Honor Roll | TÉLUQ
With its Honor Roll, TÉLUQ recognizes the effort, perseverance, and success of its students.
Having completed my certificate in Applied Computer Science among the top students of my cohort, my name appears on TÉLUQ’s distinguished Honor Roll.
Jeune Chambre de Drummond
Since 2023, I have been actively involved as a volunteer with the Jeune Chambre de Drummond (JCD), an organization dedicated to supporting young professionals and strengthening the economic vitality of the region. My involvement is driven by a desire to give back to a community that has played a significant role in my personal and professional growth.
Through my participation in the JCD, I contribute to various community initiatives, support young entrepreneurs in their development, and take part in events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and local engagement. This volunteer work allows me to make a meaningful impact, helping to create a more supportive and dynamic environment for emerging leaders and professionals.
Being involved in the JCD is an opportunity for me to share my skills and experience while contributing to a stronger, more connected business community.
Tutoring
Throughout my academic journey, I have always found schoolwork intuitive and enjoyable. Early on, I chose to use this strength to help others by offering support to fellow students, beginning in high school where I shared study strategies and learning techniques.
During my studies at the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), I provided weekly tutoring sessions in mathematics, computer science, and physics. I worked with students who were struggling and helped them understand the more complex concepts in their courses.
I also served as a teaching assistant for laboratory and practical sessions at ÉTS, which allowed me to explain difficult topics to entire classes and contribute to improving their overall understanding of key concepts.
Volunteering
In parallel with my professional activities, I have been involved in volunteer work for nearly ten years. For example, I participate annually in Operation Red Nose to promote responsible behaviour and in La Guignolée to support individuals and families in need.
I consider myself fortunate in life, and giving back to the community, as well as doing my part to help others, is something that truly matters to me.
Artificial Intelligence
Passionate about the future and innovation, I have a deep interest in artificial intelligence (AI). Fascinated by its ability to transform everyday life and push the boundaries of what is possible, I am particularly inspired by its potential in areas such as personalized education, predictive analytics, and autonomous transportation.
To me, AI is more than a technology — it is a catalyst for progress and a key to building a future that is more inclusive, efficient, and resilient. My goal is to contribute to its development in a responsible and ethical way.
Reading
When I graduated from university in 2018, I had a specific fear: the fear of stopping learning. Although I used to read extensively when I was younger — mainly novels — I had not picked up a book in several years.
So in 2018, I set myself a challenge: read 12 books in 12 months.
Today, some of my favorite genres include biographies, as well as books about business and economics.
Sports and hockey
Since I was young, hockey and ball hockey have been an important part of my life. I play both as a goalie and as a forward, and I’m just as passionate about watching games as I am about being on the rink. These sports are part of who I am and have shaped many of my most memorable competitive moments.
I also have a strong love for tennis, a sport I’ve played for several years and follow closely on the professional circuit. Carlos Alcaraz is my favorite player, both for his explosive style and his incredible game intelligence.
More broadly, sports are a real outlet for me. They help me clear my mind, push myself, and constantly test my limits, both physically and mentally. No matter the discipline, I find in sports a vital source of balance and energy.
Finance and Stock market
Finance and the stock market are part of my daily interests. I love tracking how different stocks move, understanding why a price goes up or down, analyzing economic trends, and exploring the mechanisms that drive market behavior. It’s a dynamic world that keeps me intellectually engaged every single day.
I regularly listen to podcasts about economics, companies, macro trends, and investing. I enjoy digging into both the big-picture narratives and the small details that most people overlook. For me, the stock market is more than a hobby, it’s a way to keep learning, sharpen my analytical thinking, and better understand the world around me.
Mathematics & Statistics
Mathematics and statistics have always been an essential part of my life. I love uncovering the structure behind phenomena, analyzing patterns, and understanding the logic hidden within data. Whether through learning, teaching, or personal projects, math offers me a space where everything becomes clear and rational. It’s a field that fuels my curiosity, sharpens my analytical thinking, and provides a deep sense of intellectual fulfillment.