2008 speaker bios
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This conference would not be possible without these conference presenters. Click on any name to read their biographies.
CfMC leadership
Charlie Yarbrough, acting CEO, co-founder, software developer
Charlie Yarbrough (along with Joe Weisman) was originally recruited by Leif Gjestland as a co-founder of the Computers for Marketing Corporation (CfMC).
He and Joe wrote the first version of CfMC Mentor (then called CheckLoadGenerateTabulate) between 1966 and 1969. This first version was created on an IBM 360 model 30 emulating and IBM 1410. He also co-wrote the first version of CfMC Survent between 1976 and 1979 on an HP 3000 and joined CfMC as a full-time developer in 1977.
Charlie began his first programming job in June 1962 on an IBM 1401 at the University of California Medical Computing Center. He met Leif in 1965 while working at the UC Berkeley Survey Research Center as a developer. He also worked for the World Health Organization in Guatemala at the Institute for Nutrition in Central America and Panama from 1970-1977 as a statistician.
Charlie holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from the University of California at Berkeley and currently serves CfMC as Trustee of the company's ESOP and Chairman of the Board. He is also an active participant in the further development of Mentor, Survent foundations, certification and testing, and other special projects.
His hobbies are cooking, carpentry (built his own house between 1980 and 1990), travel, and music and books. He performs community service work as a Hospice caregiver, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and Law Enforcement Chaplain.
Joe Weisman, co-founder, software developer
Joe got involved with computers by his cousin Ted Lewis, who was one of the developers of one of the very early computers (MIDSAC). Ted was one of the founders of Fair, Isaac & Co. and he hired Joe as a programmer for the summer of 1963.
Joe returned to college just in time to become the first (or maybe the second) student to be licensed to operate the college's first computer, an IBM 1620. He was majoring in chemistry and mathematics, and made heavy use of the computer for his thesis.
After graduating, Joe went looking for a computer programming job and ended up at the Advanced Systems Development Division of IBM in Los Gatos California. He was soon living in Berkeley but working in Los Gatos and unable to stand the commute, he quit working entirely and just lived in Berkeley.
After a while he got a job at the University of California Survey Research Center where he connected with Charlie and Leif and the nascent CfMC.
In 1969 Joe was forced to leave the country so he travelled abroad for three years. Finally able to return in 1972, Joe went back to Fair, Isaac to work.
Multi-user mini-computers were just becoming available and Joe wanted one to play with. He proposed that FICO buy one and he would move all their computing to it but they didn't accept the proposal so Joe went to Leif to see if he would buy one.
Leif did, and Joe joined CfMC as a full-time programmer.
Joe has four children, aged 10, 15, 28 and 32 (in 2006. With family, homeowner responsibilities and work he has no time for any hobbies except writing computer programs.
software, support, and training
Jim Ratto, Software Support Manager
Jim, who recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with CfMC, graduated UC Berkeley in 1980 with a B.A. in Math. Mr. Ratto started his CfMC career in the service bureau and transferred to training and support after three years. Before becoming a manager (15 years ago), he conducted over 100 installation and training sessions.
Before the late 90s almost all support was done via phone, but today he spends most of his day answering support requests via e-mail which allows for addressing a much greater volume of issues in the same amount of time.
Jim also recently celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary and has two boys, ages 8 and 12. He enjoys all major sports, especially SF Giants, and Cal basketball and football and is also actively involved in youth sports.
Mike Blair, Software Support Manager
Mike Blair started college In 1972 at the University of Michigan. Twin boys and 7 years later he graduated with a psychology degree. Mike spent 2 more years in Michigan pursuing his masters until his wife the architect took him along to San Francisco. Mike's unfinished thesis was a comparative analysis of statistical packages, which led to his interest in research software and the job at CfMC as a tabulation specialist. That was 1983.
Mike later became a support person, then the manager of the service bureau, before moving on to Texas. He established CfMC Texas and managed an office of 3 as well as continuing with training and support. He returned to San Francisco in 2004.
Mike is intimate with many CfMC client operations as he has been involved in much installation, consultation, and training around the world. In addition to being involved in the design of the Survent and Mentor programs, he is in charge of winsound support, dialer interfaces, and CfMC utilities.
Mike is recently single again after 25 years of marriage. His twin boys are 32 and his daughter graduates from college this spring. Mike enjoys sports including road biking and basketball, reading, travel and languages, and plays a mean keyboard.
Jim Dickenson, Software Manager
Jim Dickenson has been an integral part of CfMC since receiving his A.A. in business (emphasis in programming) from the City College of San Francisco in 1973. He began as a spec writer using CLGT and Printer running on an IBM 360/50. Specs and data were “punched” onto 80-column cards. After a couple of years, CfMC transferred punched cards to disk and used a teletype terminal to modify the specs and submit runs.
"Some years later Joe and Charlie joined CfMC full time and created the first version of Survent as well as the first mini computer version of Builder and Printer. Jim helped with some of the programming and assisted in the first installation of the software at Custom Research Incorporated," Dickenson added.
Mr. Dickenson served as the entire support department for a few years, programming many of the support utilities as well as parts of the main applications. In later years, he developed much of the initial interface of what has become webSurvent.
When he is not working, Jim spends his time with his wife of 17 years and two of his grandchildren. Jim lives on five acres in Oregon where he spends spare time “farming."
On August 1st, 2006, Jim began his 33rd year with CfMC.
Denise D'Andrea, Product Manager
Denise joined the CfMC team in June of 1995. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor?s Degree in Communications. While attending Marist, she worked with the CfMC Software as an interviewer and Supervisor.
Denise has been involved with both the MRA and AAPOR Chapters. She has served as Treasurer of the MRA NY/Northeast Chapter for the past 2 years and has been asked to extend her responsibilities for a third year.
Denise initially started out in the Training and Support Department and has worked her way into product management. As product manager, she has been able to apply her on-site experience to the development of CfMC's newest products, including webSuper.
Denise was born and raised in New York and is the youngest of four girls. She currently owns a house in the suburbs and telecommutes from her home office. In her spare time, she enjoys entertaining with her family and friends.
Charlie McKinney, Software Support and Training
Charles McKinney started with CfMC in 1997. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He previously worked
for FGI as a telephone interviewer, coder, supervisor and then CATI programmer.
Charlie has worn many hats at CfMC. Originally he was a Product
Manager for the Service Bureau primarily focused on webSurvent
surveys. From there he became a trainer and support person for
webSurvent. He helped design our webSurvent product based on his
experiences with the software. He also wrote the javascripts used
by our web products.
Charlie currently works as a Software Manager and is the lead
developer in charge of the CfMC Navigator project.
Patti Henshaw, Training Manager
Patti Henshaw has been with CfMC since March of 1976. In that time span, she has worked in the Service Bureau, managed the Documentation and Support departments, and is currently manager of the Training department.
She has a B.S. in Business Administration, with an emphasis on Marketing, from San Francisco State University. She enjoys the travelling involved in helping our clients get trained, and is responsible for having trained many of our existing clients.
When in the office, Patti brings her dog Jesse to work with her, where Jesse works in Human Resources, calming people down as needed.
Daniele Pizzocchero, Software Support and Training
Daniele joined CfMC in 2004 and is currently based in England. He holds a Laureate in Mechanical Engineering and a MSc in Computing Science. Prior to coming to CfMC he worked as programmer for an Italian software house, as audio engineer for a couple of major audio hire companies in London and finally as market research telephone interviewer and supervisor for a few market research agencies in London.
He is married, has a little daughter and enjoys listening to music and reading.
Don Wasylyk , webSurvent/webCati Support & Training
In 2004, this young Penn State computer science guy with extensive programming experience works diligently at a successful market research firm. He hears about a position opening on the left coast dealing with software he knows intimately. The opportunity sounds creative and unpredictable, so he packs up his shoebox of worldly possessions and hits the road. Like Jack Kerouac, only without the poetry or cultural significance.
Thus, armed with five potent years of programming and fielding experience and a sparkling personality, Don fervently supports and trains clients in CfMC's webSurvent and webCati software, pursuing his dream of having every user perform to their full potential. By creating brave, new examples for the latest webSurvent releases, working with developers to evolve the CfMC GUI interfaces, all while avoiding momentum-crushing meetings and conference calls, you and Don make the world a better place.
guest speakers and helpful users
Brian Carson, Director, IT/Data Services/Web Products, PRC
Co-Chair of the Users' Conference
Mr. Carson has studied Business and Computer Technology at the University of West Florida. He has twelve years of extensive experience in the market research industry with the last six of those being at MAXimum Research.
Currently at MAXimum Research, he is the director of both the IT department, and the data processing department. He handles all computer related issues within the company and provides insight on the installation of new software and hardware. He is directly responsible for the upkeep of the computerized infrastructure and all market research hardware/software. Mr. Carson manages several databases, including, Medical, Business, and Consumer.
He began his nine years of experience in CfMC programming as an Assistant Programmer/Data Processor with TeleResearch and moved on as a Programmer for Market Labs Inc. where he created, tested and managed CATI programs. He is responsible for the programming, testing, management, and tabulation of projects. Mr. Carson also works as a member of the sales force with a primary focus on web interviewing and data collection, he also sells the company's data processing only projects.
Mr. Carson holds an Expert Level Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) in Data Services.
Dave Harwood
Vice President, Information Technology, Maritz, Inc.
Beyond Survey and Report scripting
As Vice President–Division Manager, Dave reviews and develops software to assist Maritz Research in being a leader in computer-assisted data collection. His work includes the development of standards utilized internally for all computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) data collection Frequently called upon as a consultant on projects that push the edge of current marketing research and data collection technology, he has a long history of being assigned the toughest challenges in computer-assisted data collection and reporting. Dave is also the creator of the Maritz COMMANDR® and cmdr2® project management systems.
With Maritz since 1979, Dave´s initial assignment with Maritz was to serve as the director of a dedicated telephone interviewing facility for General Motors from 1980-1987.
He completed a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Michigan State University.
Allen Porter
Beyond Survey and Report scripting
Allen Porter has worked for Maritz Research since 1995 when he started as a CATI programmer. He has helped develop several large, ongoing studies with high levels of automation as well as numerous ad hoc projects.
Prior to joining Maritz Research, Allen worked for two years in a university-sponsored social research center. He has a bachelor of science degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Missouri State University.
His responsibilities include developing the Maritz Research Cmdr project management and data system to support our global CATI and Web data collection efforts. He also has responsibility for training and as well as consultation and development of data collection and reporting systems across CATI and Web methodologies.
Dave Homer
President/Founder, ATP Canada
Automated Presentation Tools: featuring: ATP Canada and E-Tabs
Dave Homer is the founder and President of ATP Canada. Dave began programming market research tabulations in 1982 and founded ATP Canada in 1989.
In 1999 due to a client request ATP Canada hired a developer to begin working on automating the process of creating presentations from tabular data. This eventually led to the development of the Rosetta Studio software.
Dave continues to devote his full time effort into leading the Rosetta Studio development and support teams.
Dave will speak about why Rosetta Studio is the most complete automation tool available, equally powerful for both adhoc and tracking studies.
Paul Valliere
Training & Support Manager, ATP Canada
Automated Presentation Tools: featuring: ATP Canada and E-Tabs
Paul Valliere is the training and support manager for Rosetta Studio. Paul joined the Rosetta Studio team in the summer of 2006 after having been a founding partner of a high tech internet communications software company.
Paul is responsible for training new customers and making sure that they receive the help they need to very quickly be off and running with Rosetta Studio.
Paul uses his in-depth knowledge of Office products and his enthusiastic personality to make learning Rosetta Studio quick and painless.
Paul will be demonstrate the power and ease of use of Rosetta Studio and why it is the only true presentation automation software available.
Benjamin Rietti
CEO, E-Tabs
Automated Presentation Tools: featuring: ATP Canada and E-Tabs
Benjamin is CEO of E-Tabs, an award winning software solutions provider to the market research industry. Benjamin has played an integral role in the company's development and success since he joined in 1993 and led a management buyout in 1999.
Overseeing all aspects of the company, he is responsible for ensuring E-Tabs continues to hold its current position as the market leader in report automation. He is a regular speaker at international market research conferences.
sales and service bureau management
Joyce Rachelson, VP/Director of Product Sales, PRC
Joyce has worked with CfMC since 1983. Prior to CfMC, her experience includes Grey Advertising as Director of Market Research Computer Services. She received her B.A. from Temple University.
Over her professional career, Joyce has served the survey research industry in more than 15 positions with the National Marketing Research Association (MRA), various chapters of the MRA, NYAAPOR, and the TTRA. In addition, she is also a member of the AMA, ESOMAR, MRIA and CMOR.
Ms. Rachelson has just completed two years as Membership Chair for NYAAPOR and is starting another two year term as Director at Large for TTRA.
Joyce lives in New York City and prefers traveling by cruise ship.
Gene Filipi, Vice President, Business Development
Gene has been Director of Business Development for CfMC for seven years and has been in the market research industry for 15 years. His background includes positions with both the Gallup Organization and Lieberman Research Worldwide.
Mr. Filipi has served on several boards within the survey research industry. He is currently serving as AVP of Sponsorships with the San Francisco Chapter of the American Marketing Association (his fourth year as a board member with the SFAMA). Other positions he has held include Vice President and Director at Large for the Northern California/Pacific Northwest Marketing Resource Association and also the Southwest Chapter of the Marketing Research Association. He has also served on the National Technology board for the Marketing Research Association.
Gene holds a BS degree in Marketing from Doane College, Nebraska.
Brian Fowler, Client Services and Marketing, PRC
Brian Fowler keeps the market research community (and his clients) abreast of CfMC software capabilities and developments.
Brian's background includes fifteen years of marketing research, business analysis, corporate communications, and direct marketing experience.
Brian has served as insights and marketing manager for the largest business membership organization in the U.S., the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); Next Monet, a leading provider of limited edition artwork; and Socratic Technologies, the leader in proprietary online market research panels. He started his career as an interviewer with Elrick & Lavidge and 20/20 Research in Nashville, TN.
Brian joined CfMC in early 2004, leaving behind his successful consultancy, Data Driven Marketing (DDM), a provider of marketing research and business insights services for data-minded clientele. DDM's projects provided insight to the California Energy Commission, Williams-Sonoma, Wells Fargo, and Pacific Healthcare.
Brian has served on the boards of not-for-profit for over twelve years, primarily with two chapters of the American Marketing Association. Positions held with the San Francisco and Nashville chapters include VP internet services, VP Meetings, and VP of Special Events. He has served as President for both chapters.
Brian holds a BBA and an MBA, both in Marketing, from Middle Tennessee State University and is an avid mountain biker.
Birju Jani, Managing Director, Global Markets
Birju will be celebrating his 10 year anniversary with CfMC this year. Prior to CfMC, he was at Bank of Montreal where he helped found and grow their National Customer Service Survey Centre in varying capacities.
His primary mandate at CfMC is to leverage globalization effectively at the company. To that end Birju relocated from New York and lived in London for nearly 3 years to found and establish CfMC’s European operation earlier this decade. Having identified capable local talent thereafter, he moved on to set eyes on the larger world for CfMC with exciting developments already underway.
Birju was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the ASC (Association for Survey Computing) while in England, and currently holds affiliations with varying organizations like ESOMAR, MRS, MRIA, SAMRA, MRSNZ, AMSRS and PMI.
He holds a B. Sc. in Computer Science and lives with his wife of 10 years and two little children. With each family member born in a different country and Birju himself having lived on 4 continents, 5 countries and nearly a dozen cities, the fact that the family itself is a multicultural one (Indo-German) is barely news! Truly global denizens, they’ve decided to raise the children in Toronto and continue to remain active with World Vision sponsoring two children in Zimbabwe. Pre-fatherhood, Birju enjoyed cricket, racket sports, rally driving, and (motor)bike riding. Now he enjoys spending any spare moment on quality time with his kids.
Stephen Hughes, Commercial Director CfMC Europe
Stephen’s job is to oversee the European operations of CfMC which involves managing client accounts, developing new business and generally keeping the office running.
Stephen joined CfMC in March of 2004 after spending some years as the Marketing Manager of the British Market Research Association where he established an impressive number of industry contacts. His previous experience was in sales and marketing for a leading UK IT consultancy.
Stephen is a member of the MRS, AIMRI, BIG and was until recently sitting on the marketing board of the now defunct BMRA but now sits on the board of the very successful UK based research networking event, the Research Club.
Stephen has only recently experienced the joys of fatherhood and marriage and when he has the opportunity, he still enjoys playing football.
Adam Berman, Vice President, Director of Sales & Operations, CfMC Service Bureaus, PRC
Adam Berman has been with CfMC Research Software for over 9 years. He has managed Web survey, CATI programming, and tabulation service bureaus operating in San Francisco, Los Angeles, College Station, Texas, Loveland, Colo., and Atlanta. During his tenure with CfMC, Adam has been an active member of the MRA and AMA and currently serves as President-elect of the Northern California Pacific Northwest Chapter of the MRA.
Adam holds a B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to joining CfMC, Adam worked as an information systems technology consultant for Coopers & Lybrand and assisted in the development of a third-party billing system for a fortune 500 company and was the lead developer of customer satisfaction measurement programs for several large telecommunications companies.
As Vice President for CfMC, Adam has been an instrumental contributor to the development of CfMC’s Web-based survey software tool, webSurvent. He has worked to facilitate successful Web surveys, CATI, CAPI and tabulation projects for J.D. Power and Associates, Maritz Marketing Research, The Gallup Organization, Intel, Charles Schwab, Chevron, Hewlett Packard, Dryer’s Ice-cream, SBC, and many other fortune 500 companies.
Kay Leaf, Denver Service Bureau Director
Kay Leaf was CfMC's first employee, working 3 years in the San Francisco office. She later moved to Colorado and started the Denver office.
She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Kay's 30 years of market research experience span many aspects of the field. Her involvement with CfMC since the company’s founding places her among the leading authorities on CfMC software and its many applications.
Kay manages the CfMC Service Bureau in Denver specializing in tabulation and reporting services.
