The “Meet the Envisionaries” series introduces team members from across the business. Jon McConnell, Senior NSCC Analyst, says a question he often hears is “How the heck do I understand these files?!" He explains that clients are often overwhelmed by DTCC files, and he’s there to guide them through the complexity.”
Q: What’s your role at Envision?
A: As a Senior NSCC analyst at Envision, my role involves handling the nuts and bolts of our clients’ data flow to and from DTCC (The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation). I have an in-depth understanding of all our clients and work closely with DTCC in the NSCC application to ensure smooth data flow, establish connections, extract data, and interpret guidelines to apply them to the data in the file.
Note for those unfamiliar with NSCC: The acronym stands for National Securities Clearing Corporation, which is a subsidiary of DTCC. NSCC provides clearing, settlement, risk management, central counterparty services, and a guarantee of completion for certain transactions for virtually all broker-to-broker trades involving equities, corporate and municipal debt, American depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds, and unit investment trusts.
Q: What has your career path looked like?
A: My career path has been diverse and transformative. I started in chemistry at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, working as a Chemist and working with the whooping cranes, bald eagles, and Andean condors. During college at Virginia Tech, I shifted into computers, working on various biologic projects. After participating in Amtrak's training program, I moved into computer programming. A couple of years later, I joined Citicorp—my first stop in financial services—and have now been with Envision for almost 22 years, focusing on the NSCC file communication process between our system and theirs, and continually working on new projects, connections, and support.
Q: In your work with Envision’s clients, what are you most proud of?
A: What I am most proud of is my ability to effectively mitigate financial exposure for our clients. I've developed a reputation for knowing how to talk to DTCC, accelerating connections that might otherwise take months to just a few weeks. As a result, clients often rely heavily on me and my team, knowing we can navigate complex files and connections that are integral to their operations.
Q: What’s an interesting question you’re asked in your work?
A: “How the heck do I understand these files?!" Many clients are overwhelmed by DTCC files when they open the application, and I'm here to guide them through the complexity.
Q: What advice would you give someone starting a career in your specific field?
A: Be open-minded. My own transition from chemistry to computers exemplifies the importance of adaptability. Don't be afraid of changes, and be willing to explore different paths, whether it's meter-reading, customer accounting systems, or financial systems.
Q: What hobby or pastime do you enjoy away from work?
A: I enjoy dog agility. Aislin, my little girl, a sheltie, placed fourth at the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster in 2018, and she just loves to race. We've been involved in dog agility for over 20 years, and all my four shelties love it.
Q: What would you say makes Envision special?
A: My co-workers. The relationships and camaraderie we share truly define the unique culture and environment at Envision.