President
Irene Gustaitis(Bio)
NeuroFocus
6255 Sunset Blvd.
19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 860-4626
Irene.gus@neurofocus.com

President Elect
Rudy Yu
Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
5th Floor, Bldg 5511
University City, CA 91608

(818) 622-5241
(818) 622-0444 (fax)
rudy.yu@nbcuni.com

Secretary
Ben Sheck (Bio)
Taylor Research, Inc./GroupNet San Diego
1545 Hotel Cir., S., Ste. 350
San Diego, CA 92108

Treasurer
Susan Perl (Bio)
Accent On Research
21021 Devonshire St., Ste. 202
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Immediate Past President
Tony Blass (Bio)
Field Dynamics
16055 Ventura Blvd.,
Suite 900
Encino, CA 91436

Tobin Bailey (Bio)
Research Now
220 Montogomery St
#1058
San Francisco, CA 94104
(818) 507-5818
(818) 507-5818 (fax)
tbailey@researchnow-usa.com

Frannie Glassenberg (Bio)
Schlesinger Associates
10880 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(323) 876-9909
(323) 876-9884 (fax)
Frannie@schlesingerassociates.com

Jeannie Wilkinson (Bio)
Live Nation
849 N Fuller Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(310) 867-7000
(310) 867-7167 (fax)
jeanniewilkinson@livenation.com

James Bettis (Bio)
Fox Broadcasting Co.
10201 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 369-4675
(310) 369-8803 (fax)
james.bettis@fox.com

Myla Merriss (Bio)
Adept Consumer Testing
16130 Ventura Blvd.
Ste. 350
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 325-3217
(818) 905-8936
Myla@adeptconsumer.com

Karen Manne
Disney
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank , CA 91521
(818)460-5012
(818)460-5293 (fax)
karen.manne@disney.com

Advisor
Lynn Stalone

I have had the pleasure of working in the market research industry for 29 years - all of those with my current firm, IHR Research Group. Beginning as an interviewer, I have been fortunate enough to have worked in most facets of research both quantitative and qualitative, working my way up through the company and being named a partner in 1989. My primary focus in the business for the past 10 years has been account management for our telephone data collection clients.

I have been involved with both National and SoCal MRA for more than 20 years, serving as Director at Large for SoCal on two occasions, as well as on several committees throughout the years. I believe I can bring strong organizational skills and a proactive stance to the office of President-Elect, as well as provide strong support to the Chapter President and remainder of the board.

I am a native of Southern California and attended CSUF. I have a wonderful family, which includes my husband, daughter and two crazy weimaraners.

Top

Immediate Past President
TONY BLASS

I have worked in the field of marketing research for more than 25 years and am currently the President of Field Dynamics Marketing Research. I live with my wife of 21 years, Eileen (co-owner of Field Dynamics) and two children in Winnetka. My principal duties include sales, administration, moderating and raising the children. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and 2 grandchildren (with another on the way), going to the movies and the theater. Thank you for your consideration.

I have served the MRA as president of the Southern California Chapter and at the national level on the On Site committee for the 1995 National Conference, the Nomination committee in 1996 and as On Site Chair for the 1998 Fall Education Conference. My professional experience includes serving on the boards of directors of Miracles of Hope, the Southern California American Marketing Association (for which I received the Ford Sammis Award in 1993), and the Winnetka AYSO. I have also served on the Education committee of a local Chamber of Commerce, as well as being involved in fundraising for local charities. I have been a featured speaker for various business and civic organizations, most recently at the “Under Our Wings” conference on juvenile justice with keynote speaker Martin Luther King III. I have spent the last several years co-producing a feature-length documentary, “Revoked Childhood,” which was chosen as a finalist for the Roy W. Dean 2003 LA Film Grant. I can also be seen in the independent film “Issues 101” with original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.

Top

Secretary
BEN SHECK

I was born in Germany and came to the U.S., when I was five years old. I grew up in Los Angeles. I graduated from Cal State Los Angeles and majored in Business Administration-Administrative Management. I have been in market research for 25 years. I started out with Schlitz Brewery doing beer taste testing in the U.S. and Canada. Next I joined ASI Market Research in Hollywood, working with the television, movie and advertising industries. In 1990, I moved to San Diego and joined Taylor Research and I am currently Field and Medical Director.

I am a Director at Large for the Southern California MRA Chapter. I am very diligent and always attend our chapter meetings– even if it means traveling great distances to get there – as I love to drive.

My main hobby is my Baseball Card collection. I am working on a run of sets from 1952 to present and hope to finish by early in 2025.

Top

Treasurer
SUSAN PERL

My background covers both consumer and business research, including medical interviews, audits, mystery shops, taste tests, car clinics, radio testing, mock juries and exit interviews. I have personally been involved in every facet of data collection, as an interviewer and supervisor, to manager, regional manager, and as Vice President of Qualitative Operations for a national company. I am currently President of Accent on Research, a data collection company located in the San Fernando Valley.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and 2 grandchildren (with another on the way), going to the movies and the theater. Thank you for your consideration.

Top

Director at Large
Media
CAREY HANSEN

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and currently live in Santa Monica. During my college years at Saint Mary’s College of California, I lived in the East Bay of San Francisco. After graduation, I spent 5 months traveling Western and Eastern Europe.

I “grew up” in this business as the daughter of Diane Trotta of Trotta Associates. Officially I have been working at Trotta Associates as a Project Director since January of 2005.

In my current capacity as a Senior Project Manager, I am responsible for client contact, management of our recruiting managers and staff, and insure that the facility runs smoothly.

I have no prior experience on the National Board or local chapter board but look forward to becoming an active contributor. I have already attended national conferences, one fall conference, and several local chapter meetings.

My personal passions are bike riding on the beach, scuba diving, and my two kittens.

I am PRC certified and with that hope to gain a better understanding of the industry and remaining an active MRA member.

I look forward to becoming a working partner to the MRA team.

Top

Director at Large
Membership
LOREI MUSSELMAN

Lorei Musselman has been active in Marketing Research for over thirty years. She started her career as an interviewer and excelled in that capacity. Consequently, she was promoted to supervisor and then advanced to the position of Office Manager which ultimately led to her present title--Owner/President of LA Research.

Lorei has served on the Southern California Chapter of the MRA as a Director, Past President and advisor. She also has served on several National MRA committees. Lorei's interest in public education led to her nomination as a LAUSD volunteer of the year.

Top

President
Irene Gustaitis

As the President, I look forward to working closely with the Board to continue building upon the MRA’s efforts in Southern California.

For the last 11 years, Irene has worked in the custom research field with clients who represent businesses in entertainment, consumer packaged goods and the education sector. She has extensive experience in the entertainment custom research field through her previous employment at ASI Entertainment and Nielsen Entertainment. Primary responsibilities at Nielsen include leading a team of Market Research Directors who manage both quantitative and qualitative custom studies for broadcast and cable clients. Irene works directly with TV networks on all phases of market research studies from design through strategic application of results. She is also responsible for internal initiatives across the Nielsen family of companies to leverage company assets and provide the best research solutions for television clients. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA and graduate work at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business. Professional memberships include MRA, AMA, CTAM, National Association of Women MBAs.

Top

Michele Reyes

Ms. Reyes, owner of Reyes Research, started out in the field as an interviewer, and is well aware of the precision and quality needed to complete a proper interview. For almost twenty years now, she has been a mentor and a motivator to her employees. She looks forward to coordinating all the volunteer efforts for our chapter. If you want to get involved, please call her!

Top

Francesca Glassenberg

Frannie started her career in the marketing research profession after a long career in the entertainment industry. She has been involved in marketing research for over 12 years and is an active member of MRA and AMA. Frannie is very involved with the volunteer committee and education sessions for MRA. Her current role at Schlesinger Associates includes Field Director / Facility Manager.

Top

Rick Wilson

I have been in the industry for over 20 years. I am a past board member of the Sc Cal Chapter of the MMA, BPRC, and the John Tracy Clinic. My company is an ongoing panel provider and our clients include: JD Power and Associates, CfMC, Greenfield Online, GMI, EMI, Authentic Response, Lieberman Worldwide, MarketTools, InfoServ, BRG as well as many others. I am passionate about the industry and

Top

Thyra Lees-Smith

Currently Managing Director of Sales for GMI, Thyra has a long background in marketing and research, beginning with Biometrics out of Camarillo California, though premier entertainment marketing firm, Norm Marshall and Associates, where Thyra was privileged to work on many high profile campaigns including James Bond/BMW and Austin Powers/Heineken. Thyra spent the next seven years at Nielsen Entertainment where she worked her way up from a syndicated data coordinator to Manager of Business Development responsible for expanding the business into ancillary (non-entertainment markets). It is Thyra’s life objective to visit all 7 continents by the age of 50 (Antarctica is still on the list) and learn how do extra-ordinary things on a global scale.

Top

Myla Merriss

I am currently the Chair of Education for the Southern California Chapter. I am very excited to be taking on this new and exciting task. I am honored to be working with the current board and I am excited about the planning and content of the next Education Day 2008!!

Myla, Senior Project Manager, PRC, started her career with Adept Consumer Testing in 1985. Though extensive, Myla’s research emphasis includes legal/jury, child/adolescent and media projects. Additionally, she is active with the Marketing Research Association, American Society of Trial Consultants and local children’s organizations. Myla received a B.A. degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge.

Top

Tobin Bailey

I have nearly 11 years of custom research experience in all steps of the research process. Through my past employment at The Walt Disney Company, Lieberman Research Worldwide and Nielsen Entertainment I have performed both qualitative and quantitative studies using mall-intercept, face to face, focus group, telephone and online methodologies. My current position as Vice President of Client Development at Research Now focuses on multi-country online data collection. I am PRC certified at the Expert level.

While I have no prior experience serving on a board for the MRA at the national or local level, I have attended many events and believe in it's mission.

I was born and raised in Michigan and have been living in Los Angeles for over 10 years. I enjoy tennis, downhill skiing, art and scuba and also have a passion for international travel.

I am looking forward becoming actively involved with the MRA on both a local and national level.

Top