I’m pretty sure Jan (pronounced “Yonn”) De Weer could create an Excel spreadsheet that changes the oil in his car or cooks his wife an omelette. The guy could teach Microsoft some things about its software. But, most importantly, Jan excels at his job. He knows how to communicate clearly with the firm’s leaders about every aspect of HOK’s financial condition – and he spends his days doing exactly that. In his 11 years at HOK, Jan has earned the title vice president and senior financial analyst.

I first got to know Jan in 1998, when we began crossing paths at HOK and in road races around St. Louis. Though I can no longer stay with this elite runner and cyclist out on the roads, I managed to catch up to him long enough to ask five questions. As is the case with most HOKers when you get to know them, there’s definitely much more to Jan than you might expect.

1. What exactly do you do at HOK?

I run the Excel Help Desk Hotline. Just kidding, sort of. Actually, my job as senior financial analyst is to make sense of HOK’s complex, multi-dimensional financial data.

I’ve developed tools to look at information in a single currency, to allow for querying, trend analysis, to track history, compare against benchmarks, set budgets, and forecast revenue, cost and payroll. The information is really limitless, but I define my job as making access to the information quick, easy and accurate, and to then be able to present it in a meaningful way to address a business issue. I’m passionate about accuracy, efficiency and clarity. My role is to make it easier for management to see what’s going on from a financial standpoint so we can make the best decisions for the future success of the firm and its most important assets – our people.

2. What would people at HOK be surprised to learn about you?

Probably that there is a creative side to me. My life is not just spreadsheets. I made a music CD many years ago. I also wrote a monthly column for a sports magazine a few years back. I like to create things – music, screenplays, motivational stories. I really enjoy making music and writing creatively, but don’t find much time for it, unfortunately. People view me as very serious and focused at work, which is mostly true, but I actually like to clown around with my long-time buddies when I have a chance to outside the office.

3. What are the highlights of your athletic career?

Man, there are a lot of special moments, now that you ask. I played soccer goalkeeper at Duke University. Some of my best memories are from my time as a minor league professional player for the Washington Mustangs, Baltimore Bays and Virginia Royals from 1995 to 1998. Some of my accomplishments include being the “Minor League Player of the Week” in the nation in 1995 and holding the record for most consecutive starts and most consecutive minutes played without coming out of a game from 1995 to 1997. I was fortunate to not get injured and played well enough to keep myself in the lineup for a good stretch. I also had the excitement of having two opportunities to audition for Major League Soccer, one of which had me on the field with half the US National Team at the time. My favorite memories have to do with the team atmosphere and camaraderie between the guys, working together and relying on each other to try to win games and extend the season. There’s no feeling like getting a fingertip on a ball just enough to prevent a goal and hearing the crowd gasp and getting your team fired up and winning a close game.

After I moved on from soccer, I eventually discovered triathlon. My three Ironman finishes are, of course, highlights. Just the sheer volume of training, discipline and distance covered are inevitably life changing.

I also raced in the Olympic Distance World Championship in 2005 in Hawaii and in the Duathlon World Championship in 2006 in Canada. Representing the USA as an amateur at the world level is just an awesome feeling. This year I actually won my first race, a sparsely attended 15K run in Illinois – so that’s a memory that will stay with me. Again, as with soccer, I enjoy the camaraderie of running and riding with my friends and training partners, and also trying to keep up with my very supportive wife in the pool. I met her at a triathlon in Memphis in 2006.

4. How has your training as an athlete helped you in your life and with your job?

Athletics has been a huge factor in helping me achieve goals in life and hopefully made me a better employee – not just because of fewer sick days. Having goals outside of work gives my life many dimensions, which is good for my psychological well-being. Time management skills, discipline, teamwork and dedication – all those things cross over into the workplace and other parts of your life. I hope to continue to make it a part of my lifestyle as long as possible. The mental and physical benefits are too undeniable.

5. Wow, you are efficient. I got everything I needed to know in four questions.

You should have had some extra ones ready. I can make you a spreadsheet for that. It’s called the Idea-Generator.