Intelligence, personality and talent. You’ll be glad you’re working with a Linker.

Aisha Parker

Research Director

HOMETOWN

Asheville, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina (BA) (Carolina Blue runs through my veins!)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Great deals… on everything! I just might be one of the thriftiest people you'll ever meet.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm an uber planner and I usually have a back-up plan…for the back-up plan.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Change hotels or switch airlines just for the reward points.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Working with people who are genuinely invested in each other and have a passion for personal and professional growth.

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Andrew Borum

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Greensboro, NC

EDUCATION

Wake Forest University (BS)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

My ability to connect with people

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Take any challenge or dare ever issued

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Ankylosing Spondylitis (really, I just like saying it!).

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

The food competitions at the lunch table!

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Andrew Tavolacci

Research Director

EDUCATION

Binghamton University (BA)

THINKS

There are few things more valuable than a well-asked question.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm objective, have been in the business for 19 years, and have corporate and supplier experience.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Bring a snake into work.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

The lack of a corporate structure which would inhibit flexibility, creativity, and teamwork.

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Ashley Latta

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Roxboro, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (BA)

University of Maryland (MJ)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Exploring. Cooking DIY Projects.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

55% Hard Work, 40% Talent, 5% Coffee.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Be a total nerd.

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Berkley Webster

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Burlington, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Traveling, especially to Spanish-speaking and developing countries.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm observant and constantly processing things (my mind is always firing).

GUILTY PLEASURE

Baking cookies just to eat the dough.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Driving a minivan full of respondents to Subway restaurants across the U.S. and Canada to taste soup.

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Beth Hurtt

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Columbia, MD

EDUCATION

Wake Forest University (BS), University of Georgia (MMR)

THINKS

If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Throw a mean dodgeball.

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." —Marie Curie

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Bethany Black

Senior Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Buffalo, NY

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA) (the Southern part of heaven)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Running long distances, preferably in new cities.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

My mother always said I ask too many questions.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Working with little kids to make the instructions for a medical device more kid-friendly.

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Brad Camrud

President

HOMETOWN

Moorhead, MN

EDUCATION

Thunderbird (Masters in International Marketing)

WHAT YOU DO

Identify unmet needs to define strategy.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

All things environmental, Caribbean beaches, pinot noir, and karate.

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Do or do not. There is no try." —Yoda, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

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Brad Gorka

IT Manager

HOMETOWN

Lawrenceville, GA

EDUCATION

Georgia State University (BS) (MS)

THINKS

Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Fix IT problems quickly… even if asked at the last second. =)

GUILTY PLEASURE

80s music & movies.

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Caroline Merrill

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Wake Forest, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (BA)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Anything related to water. Think:beach, lake, pool.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I really enjoy talking to people and discovering their opinions about all topics.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

We work hard, see the world and have fun all at the same time.

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Cassie Rhodes

Senior Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Rocky Point, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (BA)

THINKS

Speed is a poor substitute for accuracy.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm analytical to a fault.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Spend 6+ hours at Krav Maga on Saturdays.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Netflix + chocolate cake nights.

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Chelsea Arrington

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Cleveland, VA

EDUCATION

Duke University (BA)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

Attention to detail and fascination with what makes people tick.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Eat more salsa than any normal person ever would.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Three-hour naps.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Working with people who are friendly, supportive, hard working, and very intelligent.

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Colleen Maciag

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Wayne, NJ

EDUCATION

Wake Forest University (BS)

WHAT YOU DO

I turn data into results.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I never give less than my best.

GUILTY PLEASURE

The Bachelor. I get sucked in every season.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

My colleagues make me laugh on a daily basis.

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D.L. Burrell

Data Manager

hometown

Hendersonville, NC

EDUCATION

North Carolina State University (BA), Western Carolina University (MA)

THINKS

At least once per day.

what you do

Fabricate, aggregate, tabulate, evaluate, propagate.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Play prog-metal music a SMIDGE too loud. Or Broadway showtunes, either one.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Pro-wrestling/MMA podcasts.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

There's no dead weight, there are no prima donnas and the work environment is amazing.

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David Kearns

Senior Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Hickory, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

THINKS

The finest researchers are not those who can best ask the questions, but rather those who can truly listen to the answers.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

North Carolina Tar Heels football and basketball.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Lots of opportunities to grow personally and professionally, if you're willing to work for them... and I get to bring my dog to work with me!

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Denise Abatzis

Vice President

HOMETOWN

Watertown, NY

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Animals of all shapes and sizes.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm an excellent listener and can make people comfortable so that they can be 100% honest.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Terrifically awful reality television. And chocolate. Lots of it.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Most unique: taste test research of different flavors of candy corn. Most interesting: patient research about auto-immune disorders.

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Elvira Tran

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Falls Church, VA

EDUCATION

University of Virginia (BA), Duke University (MMS)

THINKS

Work hard, play hard is the only way to live.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

Having the curiosity and inquisitiveness of a five-year-old.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Order the strangest thing on the menu (chicken gizzard mmm).

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Working in an integrative environment that encourages creativity and collaboration.

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Emilie Fisher

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Durham, NC

EDUCATION

Rice University (BA)

THINKS

Treat everything as a learning experience and you'll go far.

WHAT YOU DO

Uncover what your customers are thinking.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Steak, wine, and chocolate.

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Erik McDonald

Database Administrator/Programmer

HOMETOWN

Pittsburgh, PA

EDUCATION

University of Texas–Arlington (BS)

WHAT YOU DO

Make data more accessible and understandable.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Golf— Reef Aquariums - Then more golf.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I try to build good automation into my tools which leads to cost savings over the long term.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Spending time in a smoking cessation center, which was strange because I've never been in a more smoke-filled environment.

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Grayson Striebel

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Raleigh, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

THINKS

To know what's true you have to fully commit yourself to both sides of an argument.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Anything that goes fast: cars, boats, motorcycles.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Pop music. When I'm alone in my car I can't help but turn up any song from the 90s.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Everyone is accessible and idea collaboration is a daily occurrence.

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Jase Bumgardner

Vice President

hometown

Laurinburg, NC

education

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BA)

THINKS

Simple solutions to complex problems are inherently appealing and almost always wrong.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Tar Heel basketball.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

An equal interest in understanding what is and what should be.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Understanding the personal, cultural, corporate and biological drivers of obesity in America.

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Jeff Whiteside

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Raleigh, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Anything related to golf… except for duck hooks and the 'yips'.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Reading about quantum mechanics (although not much of the information becomes absorbed in my head).

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

The work provides the opportunity to think analytically and the company culture allows this to happen in flip flops.

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Jennifer Christianson

Accounts Receivable Manager

HOMETOWN

Johnstown, PA

EDUCATION

Carnegie Mellon University (BA)

thinks

I really care about getting things right, down to the last detail.

GUILTY PLEASURE

There's nothing like a good bowl of queso dip.

favorite quote

"People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." —Abraham Lincoln

favorite thing about tlg

The positive, vibrant atmosphere.

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Jennifer Devlin

Senior Research Manager

HOMETOWN

I've moved around a lot, but I guess I left my heart in San Francisco.

EDUCATION

San Francisco State University (BA)

THINKS

A positive attitude moves mountains.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Dogs, farm-to-fork restaurants, travel, family and friends.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

People seem to open up to me rather quickly—even on elevators and planes.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Surprise clients by remembering their favorite Starbucks order.

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Jessica Caffrey

Research Director

HOMETOWN

Too many to name. I've moved a lot.

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

THINKS

Our relationships with our clients are the most important thing.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Dark chocolate and red wine after a long day of research.

FAVORITE QUOTE

"I'd rather live with a good question than a bad answer." —Aryeh Frimer

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

It's a community. Everyone is willing to pitch in and help to make any project more successful.

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Jim Pullen

Partner

HOMETOWN

Warrensburg, MO

EDUCATION

Washington University (BSEE), Vanderbilt University (MBA)

WHAT YOU DO (IN 5 WORDS OR LESS)

Immerse myself in your business.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Run stupidly long distances. For fun.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

We're all people pleasers, and it shows in our approach to client service!

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Juli Camrud

Accounts Payable Manager

hometown

Mobile, AL

education

University of South Alabama (BS) (The ONLY school in the entire state with no football team!)

what you do

I pay the bills!

passionate about

Travel….especially to Italy.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Jump out of airplanes.

favorite thing about tlg

Working with smart, happy, fun people!

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Kavitha Bradley

Research Director

HOMETOWN

Lenexa, KS

EDUCATION

University of National Champions (UNC-Chapel Hill) (BSBA)

WHAT YOU DO

I dig into your data.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Good food made from scratch with real, fresh, local ingredients.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm really observant of details. Seriously.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Start a dance party at the drop of a hat.

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Laura Bayzle

Research Director

HOMETOWN

O'Fallon, IL

EDUCATION

Wake Forest University (BA), Duke University (MBA)

THINKS

We can learn so much from one another and the world if we just stop to listen.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Promoting social justice.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Make the ivories come alive with a little Chopin and Beethoven.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Observing hotel housekeeping cleaning behaviors.

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Laura Stone

Research Director

HOMETOWN

Raleigh, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BA)

THINKS

At the core, people are good.

WHAT YOU DO

Connect with your customers.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Be a loose cannon.

MOST INTERESTING RESEARCH SUBJECT

Testing new fabric for women's underwear. Thongs, no less.

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Lauren Yankes

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Durham, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

THINKS

Slightly more than your average blond.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

Learning from my mistakes.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Carry a stun gun when walking home at night. Just in case. The stun gun may or may not be pink.

FAVORITE QUOTE

People support what they help to create.

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Lynn Young

Business Manager

HOMETOWN

Atlanta, GA

EDUCATION

Georgia State (BS)

THINKS

It's never as bad as it seems.

WHAT YOU DO

Ensure happy employees.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Laughing when someone falls.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

We're all friends!

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Melia Searcy

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Charlotte (The Queen City), NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Surprise people with my big personality.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Observing pacemakers being implanted in the operating room.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

I call the people I work with "my friends" before "my co-workers".

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Michelle Hunt, PhD

Senior Vice President

hometown

Durham, NC

education

MIT (BSBA), Virginia Tech (PhD)

what you do

Use statistics to uncover connections.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD RESEARCHER

I like solving puzzles.

guilty pleasure

Homemade macaroni and cheese (not the kind that comes from the blue box).

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Michelle Lester

Vice President

HOMETOWN

Chattanooga, TN

education

University of Georgia (BBA) (MMR)

THINKS

You do not need a parachute to sky dive. You only need a parachute to sky dive twice.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I am curious by nature. I might ask the same questions at a cocktail party as I would in an interview.

FAVORITE QUOTE

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

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Mike Buck

Senior Data Services Manager

HOMETOWN

Winston-Salem, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Charlotte (BS)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

Ability to multitask and work well under pressure.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Blow off a little steam at the skeet range.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Almost any high quality nature documentary. Also Aerial America on SmithsonianHD. And Andy Griffith. And NC BBQ.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

The overall company culture: can-do attitude, friendship, fun, and excellence.

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Mike Morse

Senior Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Greensboro, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BA)

THINKS

It's important to think before taking action.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I enjoy stepping back and looking at the big picture.

GUILTY PLEASURE

The Bachelor

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Discussing fuel additives at an NHRA race.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

The smiling faces I see every day.

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Morgan Ferretti

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Hickory, NC

EDUCATION

Elon University (BA)

THINKS

A positive attitude and hard work are the ingredients for success.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Traveling to new places and experiencing new cultures.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Singing to Broadway Musicals in my car.

FAVORITE QUOTE

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

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Nick Rowland

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Atlanta,GA

EDUCATION

Cornell University (BS)

WHAT YOU DO

Create order out of chaos.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

Technical genius, combined with an almost inhuman work ethic, and the temperament of a teddy bear.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Beat his coworkers mercilessly at fantasy football.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Conducting onsite research at a gun show.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Steve

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Nicole Morgan

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Raleigh, NC

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BA)

PASSIONATE ABOUT

My two adorable (most of the time) little girls!

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

This is where being Type A comes in handy.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

People's laundry habits and stain problems—most memorable sighting: one man's "eating shirt".

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Robert Wiggins

Associate Project Manager

HOMETOWN

Mooresville, NC

EDUCATION

UNC Chapel Hill (BSPH)

THINKS

There's nothing better than a good workout, except chocolate chip cookies.

WHAT YOU DO

Make connections and see implications.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Bike up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

Smiling is the norm.

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Sophie Hruza

Research Manager

HOMETOWN

Denver, CO

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (BSBA)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I'm never satisfied with the easy answer to any question.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Turn everything into a competition.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Standing in the meat section of a grocery store talking to shoppers about their perfect steak.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TLG

I learn something new every single day.

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Steve Barnard, PhD

Senior Vice President

HOMETOWN

Deland, FL

EDUCATION

University of Florida (BS), University of Tennessee (PhD)

THINKS

If it doesn't smell right, always dig deeper to find the rotten apple.

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I am a bloodhound for potential bias.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Climb a mountain or eat a dozen donuts— anything's fair game.

FAVORITE QUOTE

"You gotta have the right tool for the job, Beavis." —Butthead

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Tom Pfeil

Founder and Managing Partner

HOMETOWN

Haines City, Florida

EDUCATION

A proud member of the Gator Nation (University of Florida) (BSBA), University of Texas-Austin (MBA)

THINKS

Perseverance is the key to life. Well, perseverance and blueberry cobbler.

WHAT YOU DO

Keep wind in the sails.

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Do the ordinary things in an extraordinary way." —Lloyd Newell

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Toy truck research with three-year-olds.

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Tommy Galloway

Vice President

hometown

Durham, NC

education

Appalachian State University (BS), University of Georgia (MMR)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I have been on the client's side; I understand their problems.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Have "strange" things happen while traveling (wife going into labor, volcano while in Europe, earthquake while in Japan).

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." —Vincent Van Gogh

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Wayne Haseley

Senior Vice President

HOMETOWN

Buffalo, NY

EDUCATION

University of Rochester (MBA)

THINKS

Emotion and environment affect us more than we realize.

PASSIONATE ABOUT

Missionary trips to Kenya.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Eat a steak dinner with the client at 11 p.m. and then hit the hotel gym feeling guilty at 1 a.m.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Sitting in men's bathrooms at a casino watching patrons wash their hands for eight hours at a time‚ AND NOT BEING NOTICED BY ANYONE!

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Wendy Mitchell

Research Director

HOMETOWN

Roswell, GA

EDUCATION

The Loveliest Village on the Plains (Auburn University) (BA)

WHAT MAKES YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB

I've never met a stranger.

HAS BEEN KNOWN TO

Laugh hysterically to the point that I’m crying and can't utter a single word.

MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE RESEARCH TOPIC

Talking with Caregivers of Chidren with Type 1 about one of their biggest fears—their child going into severe hypoglcemia needing a glucagon injection and an ambulance. We (yes, me too) needed lots of tissues for these groups.

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