Joan Shugoll - Founder
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Joan Shugoll is the Founder of Shugoll Research and is currently responsible for the company’s strategic and financial planning. When Ms. Shugoll first established the company in New York in 1957, she was among the first in the nation to offer a full range of field interviewing services and facilities, including a one-way mirror for focus groups. In 1970, she moved the company to the Washington D.C. area and operated three fully staffed and equipped offices. Today, she is one of the most widely known and respected researchers in the nation, having helped shape the industry through her work with Fortune 500 companies and other businesses in the public and private sector.

Prior to founding Shugoll Research, she supervised large-scale field jobs for manufacturers, research companies and other service agencies. She is an active member of the Marketing Research Association. In the past, she has also been Director at Large, was an original charter member and one of the major forces in the founding of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Marketing Research Association.

Rick Seale - Vice President of Field Operations
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As Vice President of Field Operations for Shugoll Research, Rick Seale is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Data Collection Division. Rick became interested in market research while pursuing his MBA. He enjoys the challenges of trying to understand how people make purchase decisions, and how to utilize that knowledge to better serve the customer. As a result, he is responsible for maintaining the high level of customer service and the quality recruiting that Shugoll Research’s clients have come to expect. In fact, his uncompromising customer service and attention to detail have helped Shugoll repeatedly earn a top rating among the most popular research facilities in the nation. He supervises the project management staff, focus facilities and the recruiting center. Rick is actively engaged in all aspects of data collection, and works closely with the project managers to find creative solutions to even the most difficult recruiting projects.

Before joining Shugoll, Rick was a Development Associate for the Olney Theatre Corporation. He holds a BS and an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a past president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Marketing Research Association, has served on numerous committees for the national association and was a committee member involved in the development of the Code of Marketing Research Standards and the Best Business Practices guidelines currently endorsed by the MRA.

In his spare time, Rick is actively involved with Thomas Circle Singers, a local choral group that raises money for small non-profits that serve Washington area residents in need. He also takes advantage of the amazing number of professional theaters in the DC area.

Linda Hunt – Project Manager, Field Operations
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As a Project Manager, Linda Hunt is responsible for overseeing the recruitment of project participants, as well as attending to the hundreds of details that go into running a successful study and keeping clients comfortable and well informed. She believes close communication is the key to her success.

Earlier in her career, Linda was a video producer, specializing in corporate communications. She finds market research fascinating in its study of people’s behavior and attitudes, and enjoys its challenges.

In her spare time, she enjoys both cooking and reading about world cuisines.

Jacqueline R. Melvin – Project Manager Field Operations
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As a Project Manager, Jackie works closely with our clients and recruitment team to ensure the quality recruitment process for which Shugoll Research is known. She also works with the on-site hosting staff (qualitative assistants) assisting clients with their needs during their stay at our facility.

Jackie worked part time as a qualitative assistant while attending college at Bowie State University. Her degree in social work enhances her skills in market research by giving her the ability to assess study participants and work collaboratively with clientswhen they need her support.

 Jackie enjoys the relationships and challenges that the marketing research field provides. Her natural inquisitiveness, dedication and enthusiasm demonstrate why she is an asset to each and every project she manages.

Jackie enjoys spending her spare time with friends and family, attending book club meetings and coordinating and attending projects for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Sarah Briney - Project Manager
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As a project manager, Sarah’s responsibilities are to  oversee the management of qualitative studies.  She works closely  with our recruitment team to ensure the recruitment of qualified  participants for every project.  Sarah believes that  attention to detail and effective client communication  are the keys to a successful study.

Before beginning at Shugoll, Sarah worked as the Alumnae Membership Coordinator for her national sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma.  She is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she earned her B.A. in Communication Studies. 

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and playing with her family’s Jack Russell, Cooper.

Jennifer Best–Manager of Marketing
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As Manager of Marketing and Field Coordination Services, Jennifer provides bids as well as coordinates field projects.  Some of her daily tasks are organizing research projects that are held at Shugoll Research, as well as coordinating national research projects.  She works closely with other marketing research facilities throughout the country.  Managing online research projects, offsite research, and telephone studies are also her specialties.  Meeting new clients and providing them with the superior service that Shugoll Research is known for, is also something she enjoys.  She is a past president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Marketing Research Association and has served several times on the board.

Jennifer received a BS in Marketing as well as a BS in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland.  She has worked in market research for over 12 years.  Her spare time is devoted to her family.  She also enjoys reading, fine dinning, and watching a great movie.

Melissa Cosca - Facility Manager
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Melissa is a native of Maryland and one of nine children. In 2004, she received her B. S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Shortly there after, she began working part-time at Shugoll as a telephone recruiter and qualitative assistant. Meeting with success in mastering the various aspects of market research, Melissa was recently promoted to facility manager. She loves the challenges she faces in her normal working day.

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys reading fiction, listening to music, and spending time with her family. She also has recently become a great enthusiast of the gorgeous beaches of Mexico.

Ron Marshall - Facility Manager
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Ron was born in Washington, D. C. and played football all through high school and college, where he majored in Business Administration and minored in music. Before coming to Shugoll Research, he was a manager in the automotive and food service industry for more than five years. He came to Shugoll in 2005 as a qualitative assistant. Due to his dedication and hard work, he was recently promoted to facility manager.

Ron enjoys singing, writing, and producing music in his spare time. Also of note, he was a Hollywood top 80 semi-finalist on the hit reality show American Idol. Lastly, he has two adorable and rambunctious boys to take care of when not working.