Executive Team

William D. Haueisen, Ph.D. – Chairman

William D. Haueisen, PhD

William D. Haueisen, has overseen the growth of Sterling Research from its founding to its position today as a provider of high-value, quality market research that yields timely and actionable information for our clients. Bill focuses on the future of the firm and how Sterling can blend new market research approaches with evolving technology that will support both the new and old methodologies. This will enable Sterling to continue to provide the highest value product to our clients.

Bill has worked actively in the research industry for more than 25 years. Prior to starting Sterling, he was President of Nova Research in San Francisco and New York. Nova is a division of Addison Consultancy, PLC, in London. Before that, he was Group Vice President for primary research at Management Horizons, the retail consulting group of Price Waterhouse. He has also managed his own firm, Haueisen Associates, which specialized in site location research for shopping centers and other large commercial real estate ventures. Haueisen Associates was merged into Sterling Research.

In his role as a researcher, Bill has innovated new technologies to improve the productivity of market research for his clients. He developed the QUICSCAN© system that reduces both the cost and time required for data entry through the use of document imaging. He has pioneered in developing high tech tools for image research including applications of eye movement tracking and image tachistoscopes. In the 90s he worked on the development of a flexible, integrated voice response (IVR) service called Go800®. And most recently he has focused on the design and implementation of an on-line reporting and data-mining system called Report-IT!SM.

Bill has published more than fifty articles in trade journals and frequently speaks to trade groups and professional associations on the topics of market research and new technology. He is the author of a college textbook on microcomputers and business systems, has been on the editorial boards of the National Mall Monitor and the Journal of Retailing, and is listed in Who's Who in the Frontiers of Science.

Bill is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University's School of Business Administration in Management Science. He also holds masters degrees in business administration and communications. He sits on the board of Trustees at Capital University, The Florida Orchestra, the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, the Wachovia Small Business Advisory Council, the Pinellas County Economic Development Council, among other activities.

Lisa H. Rohrer, Ph.D. – President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Member

Lisa Haueisen Rohrer is President of Sterling Research Group, Inc. She has been involved with Sterling since its inception at all levels, from data entry to project director to board member. Her focus is on business development, client service, methodology, and administration.

Lisa has extensive training in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a particular focus on large database-driven research. While getting her Ph.D. at Harvard, she developed expertise in the management, strategy and HR-related issues for professional service firms. She has worked with noted academics and practitioners on: Harvard Business School cases studies, a book on professional service firms, the development of a professional services MBA course, as well as consultation with top U.S. companies. She has co-authored articles on survey methodology and employee satisfaction and has presented her work on the effects of merger and acquisition activity on strategic human resources at conferences and universities throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Prior to commencing her graduate work, Lisa was a project director at Sterling and managed a large international benchmarking project that required both survey research and accounting expertise. She also worked for a number of years as a financial analyst at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and London where she was responsible for financial models and due diligence for highly leveraged corporate transactions.

In addition to her Ph.D., Lisa also holds a master's degree in sociology from Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a degree in psychology. Lisa was recently named one of the top 50 women business leaders in Florida by The Center for Leadership at Florida International University and The Commonwealth Institute South Florida.

J.J. Rohrer – Senior Vice President Technology and Operations, Board Member

J.J. Rohrer, PhD

J.J. Rohrer is the Sr. Vice President of Technology and Operations at Sterling Research Group, Inc.. J.J. guides Sterling's technology vision and ensures operational excellence in executing that vision.

J.J.'s work experience to date has been concentrated in the fields of network operations, software development, and process consulting. Most recently he was with Sparta, a high-tech Department of Defense consulting firm. While at Sparta, in addition to developing an online training system, he also provided formal process consulting for the Air Force's Space and Missile Center as part of a team specifically referenced by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board as performing a service that should be copied at NASA. Before leaving Sparta, J.J. led the authoring of the Army's Future Combat System's simulation master plan that is now guiding the development and integration for a new $12B weapon system.

J.J. has a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. While completing his military commitment, he earned a MS degree in computer technology from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. After completing his tour of duty, he earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School, focusing on operations and technology.

Jamie Faulkner – Chief Operating Officer

Jamie Faulkner is the Chief Operating Officer for Sterling Research Group, Inc. Jamie is responsible for strategic and tactical management. Her focus is on both short-term and long-term company goals.

Jamie has an extensive background in the retail industry with over 20 years of management experience with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. While at Wal-Mart, Jamie was chosen by the President and CEO of Wal-Mart to represent all national stores on the Corporate In-Stock Task Force. During this assignment, Jamie analyzed supply side data plus measurement, collection, and data usage to find solutions to improve in-stock. She also made recommendations to improve the company's perpetual inventory system that resulted in major systemic improvements.

The professional management experience that Jamie gained from her retail career is evident in her experience in leading positive change in profit-driven environments. Jamie has a record of expanding the use of technology-based opportunities to drive and improve business results. She bases strategic decisions on customer input and market trends. Jamie was also selected for special assignment travel to other markets to analyze competition, create data, and draft recommendations for company to handle competitive threat.

Jamie has broad training in diversity and leadership. Her rich business background and retail expertise have helped Sterling’s clients understand and achieve customer experience management across all industries. Jamie brings the perspective of a market research end-user to the Sterling team.

Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri with a major in Marketing. She also earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tampa.

Leslie C. Martin – Director of Client Services

Leslie C. Martin is the Director of Client Services for Sterling Research Group, Inc. Leslie is responsible for ensuring that the objectives of Sterling's client satisfaction strategy are achieved. Her focus is on developing and implementing programs to maintain and build client relationships into true partnerships yielding maximum research value. A key to all of these programs is continuous client contact as a means of ensuring client satisfaction.

Leslie is responsible for educating, training, and supervising Sterling's Client Services Managers, Account Directors, Research Analysts and Project Managers on a continuous basis to ensure that actionable, high quality information is delivered to clients. She is the final approval of Sterling's design efforts and is committed to ensuring total client satisfaction. Leslie's team has been instrumental in defining the business requirements for Report-IT!SM, Sterling's on-line reporting software, an advanced IVR (integrated voice response) telephone survey system, numerous formats for assessing trends in performance, the cost/benefit of service recovery, opportunities for improving operations and, ultimately, levels of customer loyalty.

Leslie has more 15 years of research. Prior to joining Sterling, she was Research Director for PSI Global in Tampa, Florida, a subsidiary of National Family Opinion (NFO). At PSI Global, she directed all activities of a nationally syndicated research program devoted to studying the financial attitudes, behaviors and preferences of U.S. consumers. She also coordinated the design, execution and analysis of proprietary consulting engagements in the area of retail financial services.

Leslie is experienced with both quantitative and qualitative research techniques, and has spoken at numerous industry conferences throughout her market research career. She has been responsible for a variety of research endeavors, including consumer segmentation, customer satisfaction, new product development and market share studies.

Leslie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, where she also taught business statistics.

Amy B. Johnson – Director of Tabulation, Quality and Workflow

Amy B. Johnson is the Director of Tabulation and Quality at Sterling Research Group, Inc. She has over fifteen years of experience managing technology, data processing and quality processes in the market research industry. Amy keeps up-to-date on the latest technological developments in data management, software, and hardware which keeps Sterling on the leading edge in the research industry. Technological excellence is a cornerstone of Sterling's superior client service.

As the Director of Tabulation and Quality at Sterling Research Group, Amy leads the company's data processing department and ensures the quality and accuracy of Sterling's reports. Her most recent accomplishment at Sterling was managing the development and successful launch of Report-IT!SM, Sterling's on-line reporting software. Amy and her staff also manage tab enhancement and report writers and file transfers between Sterling and clients.

Amy's prior experience includes Nielsen Media Research, where she developed a software testing department with a stand-alone, networked computer lab. Her team was responsible for the final testing of proprietary Nielsen software prior to release and distribution to clients. On another team at Nielsen, she was the Project Director responsible for Quality Assurance. In this role, Amy and her staff ensured the quality of all National television viewing data, including electronic data deliverables to clients, as well as published and accredited reports.

Prior to joining Sterling and Nielsen, Amy was the Data Coordinator in the Financial Aid Office of Carnegie Mellon University.

Amy graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Economics with a minor in Statistics. She is also a Microsoft Certified Professional. And is currently working toward her certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

Brian Metz – Director of Information Technology

Brian Metz is the Director of Information Technology for Sterling Research Group Inc and is responsible for managing all aspects of the company's IT resources and staff to ensure optimum service to clients.

Brian leads the software development department and the IT infrastructure team. In this role, he works closely with other Directors to ensure that high quality information is delivered to clients in a timely manner. Brian's team has developed all of the applications used by our clients including Report-IT!SM, Sterling's on-line reporting software, an advanced IVR (integrated voice response) telephone survey system, and many other capabilities for managing the client-supplied data and survey data associated with large-scale market research programs.

Brian has over twenty five years experience in a variety of technical and leadership roles and has extensive experience in a variety of areas including software and systems design and development, computer and network design, implementation and support, business development, training, quality control and customer service. He possesses an in-depth understanding of emerging technologies and has strong process improvement skills.

Brian served five years as an officer in the United States Navy and has held various positions throughout his career ranging from software/systems engineer to IT Consultant. He founded his own IT Consulting and staffing company and after merging it with TransWorld Diversified Services, he served as Sr. Vice President and CIO to create and lead several successful subsidiaries in the areas of software development, computer training, help desk and technical staffing. His most recent position before joining Sterling was as an Assistant Vice President and Application Development Manager at Raymond James & Associates in St. Petersburg, FL.
Brian has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering from the University of South Carolina and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tampa.

Martin Stein – Advisor

Martin Stein has served as a strategic advisor to Sterling Research Group since 2005.

Prior to his position at Sterling, Martin most recently served as the President of Quality Imaging Products, one of the largest manufacturers of compatible ink and toner cartridges in North America and a 4-time Inc. 500 winner. Under Martin's guidance, QIP was selected as "One of The Best Companies To Work For In Orange County" by OC Metro Magazine and as an industry leader by numerous trade magazines.

Prior to serving as the President of QIP, Martin was the Founder and Managing Director of Blackford Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on middle market transactions.

Prior to founding Blackford Capital, Martin worked as a consultant with Mercer Management Consulting where he developed growth strategies for Fortune 500 clients such as Sears, Dow Chemicals, Searle Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and PacifiCare Health Systems. While at Mercer, Martin also played a leading role in helping develop the firm's intellectual property and knowledge management systems. Martin was a key member of the editorial team for The Profit Zone, a New York Times, Amazon.com, and Business Week best selling business book that was selected by BusinessWeek as "one of the top ten business books of 1998." Martin also worked as a consultant with the Council for Excellence in Government in Washington, DC where he implemented private sector management strategies to improve the organizational efficiency of various executive branches of the federal government such as the Department of Labor, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Energy.

Martin has experience in a variety of different industries including professional services, plastic injection molding, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, packaging, retail, investment banking, health care, and home furnishings. Martin has published three Harvard Business School cases and numerous other articles. He received his BA, with honors, from the University of Chicago, where he was a College Honors Scholar and was selected by USA Today as one of the "Best and Brightest Leaders in America." Martin received his MBA from Harvard Business School.