Dick Worick, PRC
President and CEO

Member: Marketing Research Association (MRA), American Marketing Association (AMA), Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR), Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)

Contact: worick@theMSRgroup.com

In 1994, Dick purchased the firm that is now known as The MSR Group. Over the past 17 years he has grown the company from one focused strictly on data collection into a full-service research organization. His personal experience and strategic vision provide both his company and its clients with a clear perspective and inspired guidance. It was just this type of inspiration that led to the development of the innovative APECS® system for customer experience monitoring that is now utilized by leading financial and retail organizations across the United States. Dick is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the recipient of numerous industry awards and honors.

Rob Noha
Executive Vice President

Member: Marketing Research Association (MRA), American Marketing Association (AMA)

Contact: noha@theMSRgroup.com

With nearly 20 years experience in market research, Rob coordinates quantitative research for The MSR Group ensuring projects meet our strict criteria for statistical quality. Rob received a BA in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also attended the American University in Washington, DC where he studied Campaign Management, specializing in Research Tactics.

Sara Martens
Vice President, Business Development

Member: Marketing Research Association (MRA), Omaha Federation of Advertising and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Journalism Alumni Association

Contact: martens@theMSRgroup.com

Sara serves as a consultant for the company’s major consumer products and services companies. She has spent nearly 20 years in marketing and advertising and has worked extensively in the branding and strategy development. Sara earned a BA in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Julian Vermaas, PRC
Vice President, Account Services

Member: Marketing Research Association (MRA), American Marketing Association (AMA)

Contact: vermaas@theMSRgroup.com

With 20 years in the market research field, Julian serves as a research advisor and consultant providing clients with a depth of knowledge in customer satisfaction and loyalty measurement. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Julian holds two bachelor degrees as well as advanced training in statistics, survey research and methodology.

Laura O’Gara
Vice President and Qualitative Researcher

Member: American Marketing Association (AMA), Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)

Contact: logara@theMSRgroup.com

Laura has spent over 20 years in the marketing and market research industries. She has more than 18 years experience as a qualitative researcher. With an appreciation for both the theoretical and practical value of research, she provides the company and its clients with insight and direction for the use of market data within an organization.

Marianne Pilling
Vice President, Director of Financial Research

Contact: pilling@theMSRgroup.com

Marianne has over 35 years of marketing research experience working primarily in the financial industry. Her knowledge of the financial needs of consumers and businesses, combined with an understanding of how profitability is achieved in the financial services industry, allows her to assist clients in a wide variety of marketing research projects. Prior to joining The MSR Group Marianne was Vice President of a major regional bank. While there, she partnered with The MSR Group to develop and launch the first APECS® system for customer experience monitoring. She has been a frequent speaker at financial industry marketing conferences and spent 15 years teaching marketing research and statistics at the college level. Marianne has her MBA from Creighton University and BSBA from the University of Denver.

Scott VanManen
Vice President, Senior Methodologist

Contact: vanmanen@theMSRgroup.com

Member: American Marketing Association (AMA)

Dr. Van Manen's broad range of highly analytical skills provides The MSR Group's clients with an advanced level of statistical modeling and innovation. His areas of expertise include custom analytical programming, market segmentation, data base modeling, driver analysis and more. Plus, with 15 years of research experience developed across a variety of industries, he knows how to translate those analyses into recommendations that clients can understand and use. Dr. Van Manen has worked with companies in financial services, healthcare, technology, media, CPG, travel, package delivery, consumer petroleum and more.

Dr. Van Manen received both his Doctorate and Master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University. He is the author of several publications and white papers.

Suzi Olson
Research Consultant

Contact: olson@theMSRgroup.com

Suzi brings to her clients a diverse marketing background, including over 12 years developing, implementing and evaluating marketing strategies and plans. She received a bachelor degree from University of Northern Iowa.

Tracy Keith
Marketing and Public Relations Manager

Member: American Marketing Association (AMA)

Contact: keith@theMSRgroup.com

Tracy shares the stories of The MSR Group, writing from a unique perspective gained from 20 years experience in marketing, sales and customer service management. She holds a bachelor degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Matthew Nulle
Research Analyst

Contact: nulle@theMSRgroup.com

As a Research Analyst, Matt performs statistical modeling and provides detailed research reporting. In addition, he oversees the administration and client support for the APECS® system for customer experience monitoring. Matt received a bachelor degree in Marketing and Management from Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.

Dana Swaggard
Research Analyst

Contact: swaggard@theMSRgroup.com

Dana has been with The MSR Group since 2004. In her current position, she assists in research design and analyzes quantitative data to provide insightful, actionable recommendations to clients across the country. Dana is a graduate of University of Northern Iowa.

Lindsay Lee
Research Analyst

Contact: lee@theMSRgroup.com

In her role as Research Analyst, Lindsay provides support to the research reporting process. Lindsay received a bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and brings six years of experience to her position.

Erica Shipman
Research Analyst

Contact: shipman@theMSRgroup.com

Erica provides support to the research reporting process in the role of Research Analyst. She was graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BSBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and brings five years of experience to her position.

Goktug “James” Yuksel
Web Developer

Contact: james@theMSRgroup.com

James brings 15 years of computer programming and web design experience to The MSR Group. A published authority on programming, James provides direction and expertise to the company’s web-based research services. James holds two bachelor degrees, one in Civil Engineering from Osmangazi University in Turkey and a second in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Peter Kiewit Institute.

Bishwa Bhattarai
Web Developer

Contact: bishwa@theMSRgroup.com

Bishwa has been part of The MSR Group team twice now, once as an intern and now as a key contributor to the information technology department. With over five years of experience, his programming and design skills are put to work as we continuously improve and support our clients' APECS® Performance Monitor websites. Bishwa holds a Master's degree in Information Technology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a bachelor degree in Computer Engineering from Kathmandu Engineering College.

Valorie Paden
New Business Development Director

Contact: paden@theMSRgroup.com

Valorie is responsible for growing The MSR Group’s financial and qualitative research divisions, specifically the APECS® customer loyalty measurement system and the Moderator Concierge Service. Valorie received a bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and brings over 20 years of sales experience to her position.

Terry Scholten
Office Manager

Member: American Marketing Association (AMA), Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM), Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Contact: scholten@theMSRgroup.com

With more than 30 years of administrative experience, Terry handles human resource management, employee benefits and all aspects of invoicing and accounts receivable.

Sonya Tipler
Call Center Manager

Contact: tipler@theMSRgroup.com

Sonya oversees data collection in our nationwide opinion polling center. She brings seven years of management experience to the position. Sonya holds a bachelor degree in sociology from Kansas State University.

Rochelle Sousa
Project Manager, Focus Group Division

Contact: sousa@theMSRgroup.com

Rochelle is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of our qualitative research projects. Her dedication to quality and a perfect customer experience has helped The MSR Group achieve its designation as one of the world's top focus group facilities. Rochelle is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Kylee Owen
Data Processing Coordinator

Contact: owen@theMSRgroup.com

Kylee helps bridge the gap between people and processes. She oversees coding for our APECS® clients and also manages the sampling process to ensure a smooth transition between a client's data and the interviewers in The MSR Group's nationwide public opinion polling center. Kylee is currently pursuing a degree in computer science.

Alyssa Vaughn
Manager, Hiring and Retention

Contact: vaughn@theMSRgroup.com

Alyssa’s background in human resources and customer service bring the The MSR Group staff an ideal approach to hiring and retention. Viewing employees as customers, Alyssa focuses on hiring the right people, identifying ways for them to grow and making the work environment enjoyable. Alyssa received a bachelor degree in Psychology from Bellevue University, where her outstanding academic achievement placed her on the National Deans List.

Tim Jacob
Training and Quality Assurance

Contact: jacob@theMSRgroup.com

Tim oversees interviewer training and employee development. He brings more than 13 years of call center experience to this role. Tim attended Bellevue University.

Jenny Francka
Receptionist

Contact: francka@theMSRgroup.com

That friendly voice you hear when you call The MSR Group belongs to Jenny Francka, and she'll make you feel welcome when you come to see us as well. Jenny also provides support to our focus group division as a hostess and assists the quantitative division with data entry and coding. Jenny received a bachelor degree in Journalism from Northwest Missouri State University.