Chandra Maddukuri has been with Extra Space Storage since 2010. As Vice President of Data Science and Revenue Management, Maddukuri leads an enterprise-wide team that’s responsible for developing revenue management strategies, enhancing revenue management systems, optimizing marketing mix, and developing bidding strategies for paid search.
Learn more about Maddukuri’s work with Extra Space Storage and get insights into his career, the challenges he’s faced, and his greatest accomplishments in the Q&A below.
Q: How did your career path lead you to Extra Space Storage?
A: Before joining Extra Space Storage, I worked for a major revenue management software company, where we developed software for airlines, hotels, and apartment rentals. I was part of a very talented data science group there, where I gained expertise in designing, implementing, and deploying large scale forecasting and optimization systems. Extra Space Storage hired me to develop such systems for self storage.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received in your career?
A: My first manager, Maaten Oosten, encouraged me to “focus on value.” If you add value to your organization, usually good things happen in your career.
Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of your career?
A: Data science is a new discipline, and many organizations do not know how to effectively use data scientists. It is a challenge to educate others. In school, I did not learn how to identify which business problems to tackle or how to get buy-in from upper management. It was a challenge being a data scientist without these skills, especially because the role comes with high expectations.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling aspect of your career?
A: I hired many talented and driven individuals who, at the time, were early in their careers. It is fulfilling to mentor these individuals and watch them grow into successful professionals. Many of them are still with Extra Space Storage and are making significant contributions.
Q: Describe your most successful endeavor with Extra Space Storage.
A: Over the previous ten years, Extra Space Storage led the self storage industry in same store revenue growth. Our revenue management team played a critical role in achieving this. We did this by developing innovative revenue management strategies and enhancing revenue management systems. I am proud to be a leader of such a successful team.
This article is part of an ongoing series of interviews with Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) team members. Chandra Maddukuri is the Vice President of Data Science & Revenue Management at Extra Space Storage.
