Meet the Data Team at ACA Group

14 Data Experts, 1 Team

Stijn Vandereyken

• Function: Data Team Lead & Data Expert.
• ACA'er since: June 2019.
• Main activities: Writing offers, coaching of team members, project planning, start-up of projects.
• Best thing about ACA: “The time and space you get to determine your own direction as a team and individual, while you know you can rely on the support of the other teams.”
• Proud of: “The achievements we realize as a team, such as the adoption of trending technology or the visualization of integrated real-time information.”
• Fun fact: “My guilty pleasure? My daily Royco Soup break at 11 AM.”

"Our team spirit is really amazing. Everyone is willing to run the extra mile for each other. You can sense a genuine and relaxed camaraderie, which makes for a highly enjoyable and motivating atmosphere."

- Stijn Vandereyken

Jef Suffeleers

• Function: Data Engineer.
• ACA'er since: September 2021 (right after graduating).
• Main activities: Structuring customer data and uploading them to Google Cloud Platform.
• Best thing about ACA: “All colleagues, also from other teams, are very warm and welcoming. ACA’s company culture is definitely a big pro.”
• Proud of: “I am really proud about the way we constructed the backend for our customer Amfori; very consistent and robust. We even got complimented by Google because we implemented their solutions the way they were intended, with a strong focus on performance, usability and results.”
• Daily habit: “On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we team up to discuss our recent project activities and possible issues we’ve encountered. Together we try to come up with possible solutions. After this short scrum, we go to work.”

"The Data Team is a tight group of young people who are more than just colleagues. I can truly say that I can call many of my team members friends. We regularly go and have a drink together or meet up at someone’s house. We also organize a yearly weekend on our own initiative."

- Jef Suffeleers

Ellen Appermont

• Function: Operations Manager Data & Service Delivery Manager.
• ACA'er since: April 2022.
• Main activities: Project management, budget & resource planning, project administration.
• Best thing about ACA: “It feels like we are a big family. On Friday the Data Team has its weekly team day, which I really enjoy. We have the opportunity to work from home, but you’ll practically always see me at the office, because I enjoy the vibe there so much.”
• Proud of: “At ACA we always get things done! Even when deadlines are sharp and the challenge is extremely hard. And if someone is on sick leave, other team members will jump in and do extra working hours just to be sure we deliver as promised.”
• Fun fact: “I occasionally run marathons. I am also a member of the ‘ACA Runners’, a group of ACA employees who regularly participate in running events under the ACA flag. It is really fun to share your passion for sports with your colleagues.”

“A lot of the Data Team members are currently buying and renovating houses. We try to help each other out when needed. A while ago we held a demolition day at a colleague's house with almost the entire team.”

- Ellen Appermont

Mathias Luyten

• Function: Digital Product Owner.
• ACA'er since: February 2021.
• Main activities: Responsible for the design and development of customer’s data products. Gathering what reporting needs there are in the business and translating them to IT and ensuring that the data products are aligned with the customer's strategy and vision.
• Best thing about ACA: “Working in a team and making you stronger together. In addition, a lot of emphasis is placed on coaching and personal development, which is very valuable."
• Why I joined ACA: "I chose ACA because I would work in a small, start-up data team. This gave me the opportunity to make my own mark in the way we approach projects, while still providing sufficient support from ACA through the years of experience of other teams."
• Proud of: “I worked for three years as a Data Analyst on a project at amfori. As a result, I have built up a very good relationship of trust with the customer. This trust has allowed me to grow into a Digital Product Owner, which allows me to steer the future and vision of the data platform that we have set up with ACA at amfori."
• Fun fact: “Aside from work, I have been teaching guitar lessons at the local music school for over 10 years."

"Strength at ACA lies in teamwork, strengthened by a focus on coaching and personal growth.”

- Mathias Luyten

Siebe Janssen

• Function: Data Engineer.
• ACA'er since: June 2022.
• Main activities: Extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL) data from multiple sources into a central data warehouse.
• Best thing about ACA: “The Data Team is like a close group of friends, so work doesn't really feel like work. We put a lot of effort into team activities, making the whole experience more enjoyable.”
• Proud of: “I'm involved in the data project for our client, Amfori. Thankfully, we haven't encountered major issues so far. Our primary goal revolves around maintaining its functionality through regular updates and integrating new features.”
• Fun fact: “I play water polo, a very physical and tactical sport.”

“Initially, I worked as an analyst at Deloitte for almost 2 years. I then transitioned to ACA's data team because I quickly realized that my interests aligned better with that role.”

- Siebe Janssen

Lucas Verscheure

• Function: Data Analyst.
• ACA'er since: April 2023.
• Main activities: Translating business requirements to dashboards.
• Best thing about ACA: “The working environment in ACA stimulates learning and self-development. If you have questions, your colleagues are always willing to help.”
• Customer projects: Agentschap Natuur & Bos, Aertssen, and the city of Hasselt.
• Proud of: “Every time me and my colleagues successfully finish a project, I am very proud of the result. I’ve worked on projects for several customers such as Agentschap Natuur en Bos, Aertssen, and the city of Hasselt, and each of these projects had its own challenges. Tackling these challenges and delivering the end result, feels very rewarding. ”

“The best part of working for ACA? The team culture of collegiality and the variety between different projects”

- Lucas Verscheure

Joppe Weustenraad

• Function: Data Engineer.
• ACA'er since: October 2019.
• Main activities: Solving architectural challenges and selecting the appropriate tools of Google Cloud Platform or cloud-native for every project. Setting up the architecture and performing low-level development during sprints.
• Best thing about ACA: “We are given substantial responsibility and the freedom to experiment and try out new ideas. They throw challenges our way, pushing us to get creative with new solutions and embrace innovative tech. All of this takes place within a familial yet driven atmosphere.”
• My average working day: “A regular workday offers a good mix of things, like delving into a spike by researching tools and figuring out how to use or set them up, supporting colleagues with the technical side of their stories, brainstorming on complex data modeling problems, and working on ETL jobs and dashboards for clients.”

“I was looking for a company in Limburg with a great vibe and a good work-hard/play-hard ethos. ACA fitted that description perfectly. That became crystal clear during the ACA weekend in September 2019, where I was able to join, even before my first official working day.”

- Joppe Wuestenraad

Jordy Raeman

• Function: Data Engineer.
• ACA'er since: March 2023.
• Main activities: Ensuring the flow of client data to the data platform, and setting up, maintaining, and enhancing the necessary architecture.
• Why I joined ACA: “The first thing that struck me when I got to know ACA Group at a job fair was the friendly atmosphere, as well as the focus on real benefits for employees. It turns out it was all true!”
• Proud of: “I am proud of the setup of the data platform at Group A is/was actually the first time I had to build a data platform from the ground up.”
• Fun fact: “I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, especially with oriental food.”

“My average day typically kicks off with a morning stand-up, where we discuss the developments for a specific client and outline the coming goals. This ensures everyone is well-informed about the project status and helps address issues more promptly.”

- Jordy Raeman

Stef Breuls

• Function: Data Analyst.
• ACA'er since: December 2021.
• Main activities: Ensuring clients can effectively utilize their data. Analyzing available data, collaborating with clients to understand their needs, structuring data for use in reports, and creating actionable reports.
• Best thing ACA: “I've had the chance to work with a range of clients like amfori, Livlina, ANB, Febelco, Aertssen, and even within ACA. Each project is interesting, and somewhat alike, yet brings its own set of challenges. Dealing with these various environments has been a great learning experience so far.”
• Proud of: “After a successful setup and significant progress for the client, Livina, we were asked to organize two Power BI training sessions. It was really rewarding to see our solution perfectly met the client's needs and our knowledge sharing empowers them to independently navigate through it.”

“The team culture within the Data Team is fantastic. We're an incredibly social bunch, characterized by strong transparency and open communication. Plus, we can always count on each other, both during and outside of work. There's a strong commitment and willingness among all team members.”

- Stef Breuls

Eva Braeckman

• Function: Data Analyst.
• ACA'er since: July 2023.
• Main activities: Helping customers to get the most out of their data.
• Best thing ACA: “I was looking for an environment in which I can continuously develop myself, and I found exactly that at ACA. If you feel you want to develop yourself in a certain way, or if you want to switch to another role or team, it's up for discussion.”
• Proud of: “A while ago, we hosted a datalab for our client Amfori, revealing potential additional insights from their existing data. The Amfori management was genuinely thrilled and commended us for generating new ideas for the future.” 
• Fun fact: “In my free time I regularly put on my boxing gloves. It really helps me to let off some steam and shake off all stress!”

“Although the Data Team is relatively young, we're encouraged to take on responsibilities. By giving us a lot of opportunities and the freedom to learn and experiment, I truly feel they believe in me.”

- Eva Braeckman

Marnick Vanloffelt

• Function: Data Analyst, Data Strategy Domain Lead.
• ACA'er since: November 2021.
• Main activities: “As a Data Analyst, I turn data into valuable insights. As a project manager, I keep projects on track and ensure everyone is informed. As a Data Strategy & Governance Expert, I boost clients' data maturity through effective processes, skilled teams, and the right technology.”
• Best thing ACA: “The great working vibe and the high level of autonomy and entrepreneurship are highly motivating. Each day brings a new challenge.”
• Proud of: “I am proud of my role as Domain Lead for Data Strategy and the opportunity to contribute to shaping our Data Framework. This has led to the development of new services that will help our clients see real value from their investments in data practices quickly.” 
• Fun fact: “I’m a watch fetishist! Not only do I enjoy buying them, but I also try to repair and assemble them.”

“The freedom, team spirit, and entrepreneurial mindset within the DataDots team convince me every day to give my best.”

- Marnick Vanloffelt

Ruben Claus

• Function: Data Analyst.
• ACA'er since: September 2023.
• Main activities:  “After an intense training programme, I quickly started working on an internal project: migrating the ACA reporting platform from Google to Microsoft Power BI. My first customer project was the review and optimisation of a self-service dashboard in Google Looker Studio. I like discovering different technologies this way.”
• Best thing ACA:  “The team spirit is the best part! The Data Team is like a close family – always ready to lend a hand, and after a good chat with coffee, we dive back into work together. In the beginning, I worked from home three days a week, but now I'm almost always at the office. Why? Well, it's just a really enjoyable and inspiring place to work.”
• Proud of: “The project of the reporting migration was a real challenge. Originally, the idea was to use Google Looker, but after analysis and a lot of internal discussions, we decided that Microsoft Power BI would be the best choice in the long term. Although it was a team effort, the result today feels like a personal achievement.”

“Despite my limited experience, I was given full trust in my first internal project. Even when things got difficult, they kept on supporting and believing in me. That's very reassuring and motivating.”

- Ruben Claus

Vincent Mees

• Function: Data Solutions Architect.
• ACA'er since: April 2022.
• Main activities: “As the Data & Analytics Competence Lead for Microsoft Azure, It is my responsibility that all Azure projects run smoothly. I provide technical support and manage the Azure team within our Data Team.”
• My average working day: “I handle a variety of different tasks and responsibilities: from architectural workshops, pipeline development, and integration with external data sources, to coaching sessions, and more. It makes every day unique for me.”
• Proud of: “With the team, we succeeded in building up a completely new data platform offering in Microsoft Azure. Starting from scratch was a real challenge, but now we are reaping the benefits of it.”
• Fun fact: “I like working on a project late in the evening, without the daytime distractions.”

“The family-like and supportive team culture combined with a pragmatic approach, makes ACA stand out as a quite unique company in the sector.”

- Vincent Mees

Jan Eerdekens

• Function: Data Engineer.
• ACA'er since: November 2005.
• Main activities: Keeping helicopter view over the architecture in client projects, coaching, and supporting colleagues.
• Best thing about ACA: “The combination between the coziness of a small company with a flat organizational structure, and the knowledge and experience of a big IT player. And the infamous ACA weekend and New Year's parties!”
• Proud of: “During the past years, I’ve become a real Liferay expert, earning me the opportunity to speak at the Liferay Devcon.”
• Fun fact: “Every day I start my working day with a sandwich with chocolate spread while going through my emails. The team has even given me a t-shirt that says Sandwich Man (‘Boterham man’ in Dutch).”

“As the team member with the most experience, I like to support and coach younger colleagues. This is how I hope to share my experience, empowering them to confidently take on tasks, recognize when to seek support, and eventually pass on their knowledge and working methods to new colleagues.”

- Jan Eerdekens

Our mission: turning your data into competitive advantage

An effective data strategy is not just about collecting data; it's about transforming your data into a powerful tool that gives your organization a competitive edge.

ACA Group’s Data Team helps you to align data initiatives with your business goals, using data as leverage to enhance business efficiency. We provide you with the data streams and visualization tools you need to gain more insights more quickly.

That way, it gets easy to…

• Make the right decisions at the right time.
• Optimize your business processes.
• Improve your offering and customer service.

Do you want to transform your data into opportunities?
Let’s team up