I have been in the research industry for almost 30 years. During that time I have had the pleasure to work and associate with so many talented people. The funny thing is many of them are related! Not to me but to each other!
When I think about research families – I quickly come up with:
(Two quick things not to insult ANYONE I put the list in alphabetical order and APOLOGIZE to EVERYONE I left off the list)
- Baldi: Joe, Janet
- Iseman: Carl, Diane
- Larson: Kim, Steve
- Nichols: Mimi, Aaron
- Hayes: Bernyce, Andrew, Matthew
- Heakin: Pat, John, Patty, Kevin
- O’Connor: Peggy, Tom
- Schafer: Marianne, David
- Schlesinger: Sarah, Debbie, Steve, Alan, Howard, AJ, Eric
- Shugoll: Joan, Merrill, Mark
- Weinstein: Ann, Adam
My kids are too young to know what they want to do but who knows maybe they will follow in my footsteps and end up in this great industry.
- What research families have I left off the list?
- What relatives have I left off the families that I mentioned?
- Are you hoping and who knows even nudging a little bit that your children end up in the business?
I really need your help on this and really look forward to compiling a complete list. So THANK YOU in advance for your assistance.
janet says:
Jackie Spear and her Mom
Merrill Dubrow says:
Janet,
UGH – how did I forget!!!! Senior moment for sure!
Merrill
Amber Leila Esco says:
It is kind of funny you mentioned this because recently at the MRA Philadelphia year end party I took a picture of Conal Murray and Lynn Gutstein and referred to them as the best looking married couple in market research on the Facebook tag. Well, that caused a storm as I had forgotten about all the married peeps (who are also as equally good looking):
Todd Biederman & Elise Dunn
Bette Anne & Tom Champion
Paul Kirch & Stacey Weber
…and I am sure there are more. So while I know you are referring to the “dynasty” research families – which are all FANTASTIC ones
…There at also these amazing married research couples as well!
Paul Kirch says:
Thanks Amber. Merrill? Senior moments?
Merrill Dubrow says:
Paul/Stacey,
Ugh – I know!
Sorry.
Merrill
Fee Sepahi says:
Hi Merrill,
Mother daughter teams that I know are:
Merle Holman and Robin Kaplan
Ruthann Chesnoff and Jacki Spear
Ruthann Chesnoff says:
Thank You Fee and Janet for remembering Jacki and Me! Shame on you Merrill.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Ruthann – you are right! My bad………
Merrill
Colleen Mezler says:
You forgot my mother (Peggy Moore) and I.
It will be interesting to see if a third generation Moore, will enter the research industry. I also have a niece that works at Moore Research and my son (who is 14) has declared himself the Vice President already. Hoping the next generation will at least give it a try.
I remember looking up phone numbers in the phone book for my mom when I was 6, started early and have always loved it.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Colleen,
Amazing I left off so many people that I speak to so often!
Ugh – sorry!
Merrill
Tracy Sanders says:
Clarice Irwin, my grandmother, started the Florida Chapter of the MRA and at her side Scott Irwin, so I am actually a third generation researcher. Many years ago my grandmother told me stories of her standing in time square with a clipboard conducting interviews. The company she worked for moved her from city to city where she finally ended up in Jacksonville. The company wanted her to move again which is when she finally said “enough I am done moving”. When other companies came directly to her wanting to conduct more research she explained she no longer worked for that company. They asked if she can still do the work and thus Irwin Research Services was born, back then also known as (yes, scary) IRS.
Christing Cook says:
Ruth Nelson, Kathy Berg, Christy Ried and Ellen of RNRS. I belive they still might have offices in Utah and Arizona.
Vaughn Mordecai says:
Our fearless MRA leader – Elisa Galloway along with Pat & David Galloway…the Galloways of Galloway Research.
Ed Sugar says:
Father & Son -
Bruce and Brad Bortner
Don and Tyler McMullen
Mother & Son
Ruth and Michael Stanat
Husband & Wife
Ellen & Rusty Campos
Family
The Davis’ – Bill & Bob Davis, their mother & father Carol & Bill, their aunt Diane Trotta and her daughter Carey Trotta Hansen
The Cunninghams -Ashley, Craig, Cynthnia, Mary & Paul
Lynn Stalone & her sister Terri Pratto de Ramirez
Andrew and Mark Rosenkranz and their father Jerry
Ed Sugar says:
You and I are in big trouble for forgetting the great father/daughter team of Joe Rabin and Michelle Elster
Ed Sugar says:
And look who was mentioned in today’s Ad Age
http://adage.com/goodworks/post?article_id=145042
None other than Joe Rabin and Michelle Elster.
What a coincidence!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Ed,
That is so funny and ironic – sorry Michelle and Joe!
Merrill
Michele Zwillinger says:
Someone mentioned the beautiful couple Elise and Todd Biederman. Don’t forget Elise’s mother Janice Dunn.
As for the Davis-Trotta family…please don’t leave out Diane Trotta’s husband Hugh Hansen, Carey’s sister Dana, and Carey’s soon to be husband. They are definitely starting a dynasty.
I had hoped that after watching me conduct all those focus groups when he was a teen, my son Zeff would follow in my footsteps. He hasn’t so far; but, you never know…
Bob Graham says:
I owe my market research career to a mother/daughter research family: Bea Gorbaty, founder of Survey Service of Western NY and her daughter Sue Adleman. I was an inexperienced Graduate Student at SUNY Buffalo, when I got a job at SSWNY because the funds had run out on my graduate stipend. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of teachers or a more comprehensive introduction to the industry that has become my livelihood.
I’ll also say that I couldn’t have asked for better friends over the years than Joe Rabin and Michelle Elster.
Amy Shields says:
Although Jane Rosen is synonymous with Nichols Research, she is also a second generation researcher; her mom owned a research company in Ohio for many years, when Jane was growing up.
Todd Biederman says:
There is also a father, daughter and son team at Opinion Access. Father: Jimmy Hoffman, Daughter: Ginene Hoffman and Son: Lance Hoffman
Michele Zwillinger says:
I forgot the Atkins family (Lynn Diamantopoulos formerly Atkins) Athena Market Research, David Atkins (The Pollux Group, Inc.), one of David’s aunts (Kim Atkins, Atkins Research) and I think David’s brother as well.
Michelle Elster says:
I knew we would eventually come to mind. I guess I’ve been off your radar for awhile!
No hard feelings.
Terry Salat says:
And then there were the Reckner’s, and then the Grubbs of JRA
Ed Case says:
How could you forget Ed Case and Leslie (Case/Sylvetsky)?? Do you want to go to the back room again Merrill?? Regards……..ed
Ed Case says:
Forgot, Leslie’s (late) mother-in-law Joan Martin (Bridgeport field service for years)… ed
Nancy Hayslett says:
Please add Waker Research to your lists.
Tommy Walker, founder of Walker Research in 1939. Son Frank Walker,
grandson, Steve Walker, Now CEO of Walker Information.
Joe Baldi says:
Merrill, thanks for the mention,to make it complete you have to add my eldest daughter Lisa Cooper who is Janet’s sister .
Also Lisa worked at Shifrin Research for23 years which brings up yet another research family, Leslie and Kim Shifrin.
Joe
Bruce Z Bortner says:
Hi Joe;
It brought back memories when I saw your name. Do you remember when you cut your hand slicing a bagel?
Good to see that you also have children who followed in your foot steps. My son Brad is a vice-president at Forrester Research
Bruce Z Bortner says:
Another father and son is:
Fred and Danny Soulas