Todd Biederman, President and CEO, PRC Expert

Todd Biederman founded Advanced Focus in 2002 and continues to be one of the most passionate professionals in our industry. Having dedicated his career to Marketing Research, beginning in 1990, he has experienced all aspects of the research process, making him uniquely qualified to successfully lead the group of all-stars that have been assembled as the Advanced Focus team.

Todd began his marketing research career in Los Angeles at Murray Hill West, working his way from recruiter to Associate Director.  Soon after, he assumed the role of Directorship of Adler Weiner LA.  Over the years, Todd has built out five new marketing research facilities; the most recent and exciting being our very own Advanced Focus New York.

While many in the profession may recognize him from his years in Los Angeles, he has most assuredly remained a New Yorker at heart.  The deep love he has always felt for his ‘home town’ ultimately beckoned him back to the East Coast and led to the inception of Advanced Focus New York. 

In addition to his continued involvement with facility management, day-to-day operations of the company (including client acquisition and service), and all aspects of the qualitative research process, it’s truly Todd’s vision of growth for Advanced Focus that has allowed the company to reach its current state of sophistication.  There is nobody more dedicated to the long-term growth of our distinctive company than Todd, who cultivates an atmosphere of integrity and trust, always assuring that the success of our clients and their research is the number one priority. 

Bradley Solomon, Executive Vice President, Facility Management, PRC Expert

Brad joined Advanced Focus in 2003 during the early stages of its inception, as the Database Director, assuming the role of Executive Vice President in 2005.  As a member of the team, Brad is indispensable regarding day-to-day operations of the company (including business and staff development, financial management and strategic planning), and is also involved with the oversight of all of the IT and telecommunications processes for the facility and corporate office.

His diverse talents, eagerness to meet challenges and positive attitude all contribute to the continued growth of Advanced Focus. As an active member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA), and other associations, Brad has quickly earned the respect and friendship of many in the marketing research profession.  We are very fortunate to have such a gifted and enthusiastic researcher as part of the Executive team.

Before joining Advanced Focus, Brad graduated from the University of Michigan, majoring in computer science, and continues to be an avid Wolverine fan, attending as many football games as possible each season.

Amy Shields, Executive Vice President, PRC Expert

A true people person, Amy brings almost two decades of marketing research experience as the newest member of the Advanced Focus executive team.  In November of 2008, after almost 14 years with Bay Area based Nichols Research, she made the exciting decision to head east.  In her role as Executive Vice President, Amy assists in the company’s larger operational and business development initiatives.  Although her passion and extensive background is focused on qualitative data collection, she is also experienced with full-service and quantitative research (telephone, online and intercept), including field management, moderation, proposal writing, account management, research development, data analysis and report writing.  Her experience as a moderator includes concept/prototype/advertising testing, product research, cultural and social research, and taste testing. 

Amy contributes time and energy to many industry causes, and until recently served on the Marketing Research Association’s (MRA) National Board of Directors as the Chair of the Membership and Chapter Workgroup.  She is PRC Certified at the Expert Level and is the proud recipient of several industry awards, including the Chapter Service Award in 2002 and the Shining Star Award in 2005.  As a regular guest lecturer at industry conferences, Universities, and other learning institutions, it’s Amy’s belief that in order to truly be successful, you must first give back to the causes you believe in.  While she has many professional ambitions, nothing compares to the pride and passion she feels as the mother of four and grandmother of five.

Elise Dunn, Executive Vice President, Operations, PRC

Elise joined Advanced Focus in March of 2006 with over 20 years of dynamic experience in the industry.  As a second generation researcher, beginning her career at Adept Consumer Center in Southern California when she was only 17 years old, Elise is a natural communicator who excels in relationship building and is outstanding at developing meaningful client relationships; on a local and global level.   Grounded in all aspects of qualitative research and field management, Elise is able to oversee these areas with unparalleled enthusiasm and knowledge. 

Previously, Elise worked for The B/R/S Group as Director of Field Management.   At B/R/S, Elise partnered with major companies in a variety of fields, including:  Technology, health care, entertainment, consumer goods, service, and manufacturing.  While she is certainly a primary contributor to the passion that lives at Advanced Focus, it is how she embraces her role as Mom to son, Jack, which delights all of her friends, family and associates.

Sara Solomon-White, Facility Director

Advanced Focus was thrilled to welcome Sara Solomon-White to the company in February of 2010.  Sara has an extensive industry background (beginning her marketing research career in 1997), which includes project, facility and staff management, and over-all operations.   She brings a client service viewpoint that aligns perfectly with the company philosophy, and genuinely takes pleasure in welcoming each and every client to our New York facility.  While Sara recognizes how crucial recruiting accuracy and processes are, she also attaches an equal amount of importance to all areas related to the facility experience.   Sara’s reputation as the consummate professional proceeds her, and she has not failed in delivering the interpersonal, problem-solving, and directional skills needed to create an atmosphere of the highest quality.

Sara is a native New Yorker and graduated from New Paltz University in 1996 with a Bachelor’s in English Literature.  In the warmer months, she spends a great deal of time hiking at Bear Mountain and the Catskills, and also enjoys baking and reading any and all fiction she can get her hands on.

In September of 2006, Dennis joined Advanced Focus and took on the daunting role of Database Specialist.  Because this complicated position encompasses everything from managing and tracking a quickly growing database, to implementing new technology, the skills produced during his first 2 years made him an ideal prospect for Project Director.  Since accepting the challenge of project management, Dennis has truly grown into an elite professional by utilizing his analytical and problem solving skills, effective verbal and listening communication skills, and through his ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and entering information.

Dennis graduated from Lehigh University in May 2006 with a B.S. in Business and Economics with a concentration in marketing, and it was his education that brought him to Prague in the summer of 2005 where he interned for HBO Central Europe.  In his free time he works toward his goal of visiting every major league baseball park (in the summer months), and strives to improve his skills on the ski slopes (in the winter months).  It would be remiss not to also mention he might just be the biggest Mets fan around!

Sami started her career in marketing research in 2001 and over the years has worked in many areas of the profession.  After making a bi-coastal move from California to New York in February of 2009, she started with Advanced Focus as an Associate Facility Manager, and with great enthusiasm moved to Project Director in May of the same year.  Because of her experience at Bay Area based research company Nichols Research, as both a Project Director and Branch Manager, Sami possesses a noteworthy talent for project management, operations, and staff development.   Advanced Focus feels privileged to have such a passionate and dedicated professional, who has a proven track record of building and maintaining meaningful client relationships.

While embracing the New York way of life, Sami continues to enjoy traveling to visit family and friends across the country, and enjoys a wide variety of music and cultural venues.

Karen Louis, Office Manager

In 1995, Karen began her marketing research career coordinating front desk operations at Murray Hill West in Santa Monica, CA, and thus launched a friendship with Todd Biederman that would endure the test of time.  That early friendship quickly turned into a successful business alliance and the passionate “team” that still exists, stronger than ever, today.

With an additional background in Project and Facility Management, Karen’s familiarity with staff oversight, client relations, special project supervision, incentive/financial management, and inventory control, assures a high level of competency as our Office Manger that is, quite simply, extraordinary.  She has coordinated thousands of marketing research studies/focus groups and her attention to detail and dedication to client customer service ensures the smoothest behind-the-scene operations possible at Advanced Focus.

Karen is married and is the proud parent of one teenage, well-traveled cat; Chappy.  She is a native New Yorker who enjoys writing, world travel and animal advocacy.

Mystie enthusiastically accepted the role of Associate Office Manager for Advanced Focus in September of 2007, and has been a powerful force ever since.  While playing an integral role in the over-all health and success of the company through her responsibilities (which range from maintenance of office services, correspondence control, management of in-bound calls, payroll and invoice assistance, maintenance of office records and office efficiency); it is truly her incredibly positive attitude and ever-present smile that make her such a valued member of our group.

Prior to moving to New York, Mystie spent six years at DePaul University’s Image Collection in Chicago, where she worked her way up from Student Assistant, to Photographer/Graphic Designer, to Supervisor.  She was also the street marketing representative for the promotional arm of the entertainment industry participating in grassroots efforts for Shangri-la Music, Filter Magazine, The Street Syndicate, and High Wire Music. 

Mystie graduated from DePaul University in June, 2002, with a BA in Media Arts and a minor in Communications with an emphasis in Media Studies.  Since 2004 she has been highly involved with the campaigning of The Antagonist Art Movement in New York City and, if all this wasn’t enough, is also a member of the band, The Merch Grrls.

Jay began his dedicated service to Advanced Focus in November of 2004, initially fulfilling the role of recruiter, and then Associate Database Specialist.  Recognizing that his talent and passion was in the area of mentoring, Jay embraced the role of Recruiting Supervisor in January of 2010.  His responsibilities include daily briefings with Project Directors to prioritize staffing, discuss recruiting strategies, and convey sample needs.  Additionally, Jay trains recruiting staff on general procedures and specific project requirements, and monitors recruiter’s interaction with respondents.

On a fun and interesting note, Jay graduated from the “Fame” H.S. (High School Performing Arts Drama Major) in New York City, is a long suffering NY Knicks fan and a pop culture addict.

With the company since May of 2009, Ari’s primary functions include all areas that assure quality control.  She meets daily with members of the Project Directing Department to establish priorities relating to project set-up, data entry, client updates, respondent confirmations and validations, and other critical project associated areas. 

Ari is a native New Yorker and studied Business Management at BMCC.  She has seven siblings and loves spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews.