Staff
Glenn R. Kessler, President and CEO
At HCD Research, Glenn Kessler ushered in the Internet as a marketing research tool, and was instrumental in implementing web-based advertising research applications to measure the effectiveness of print and broadcast advertisements. In addition, he has assisted large and mid-sized companies in developing strategies for merging product lines and sales organizations.
Mr. Kessler has been interviewed by national and regional broadcast programs and quoted in leading national newspapers as an expert on political advertising testing during the 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections. He has co-authored several articles on Internet marketing applications and has presented at national medical marketing meetings and advertising conferences.
Mr. Kessler has also appeared on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" to discuss the company's Super Bowl ad testing. He has conducted radio interviews with the Associated Press, CBS, CNN and various national and regional stations. He was also a weekly guest on XM Podus '08 radio, where he discussed political advertising and other controversial political events, during the 2008 presidential election.
Prior to founding HCD Research, Mr. Kessler held sales and marketing positions with Roche Diagnostics Systems and Ortho Diagnostic Systems, a Johnson & Johnson company. He served as director of national accounts and was a member of the Roche Diagnostics Operating Committee. Mr. Kessler was also a business unit manager for Immunoassay Products and marketing manager for computer data management systems.
In addition to his experience in the health care industry, he was a market research analyst for TimeLife Incorporated. Mr. Kessler also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore, where he instructed undergraduates in consumer behavior as part of the college's marketing program. Mr. Kessler earned a BS from American University and an MBA from the University of Maryland.
James P. Rowell, Vice President
Prior to co-founding HCD, Mr. Rowell was the President of the Somerset Consulting Group, a company that specialized in sales and marketing consulting, specifically in the area of market research and new business development. These services were integrated with HCD Research in 1993.
Earlier work experience includes Ortho Diagnostic Systems, a Johnson & Johnson company, from 1969 to 1985. Positions held include: Group Product Director, Marketing Director, Sales Manager and Sales Representative. Responsibilities included general management of sales and marketing functions including market research, product finance, national accounts, sales training and development, product promotion and advertising, technical services and technology acquisition.
Mr. Rowell received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Olivet College in 1966 and served in the US Army from 1966 to 1969 earning the rank of First Lieutenant.
Paul Bolls, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor, HCD Research and Associate Professor, Strategic Communication, Missouri School of Journalism
As scientific advisor for HCD Research, Paul Bolls, Ph. D., directs the research efforts that are associated with using biometric measurements to obtain consumer data on media and message preferences with regard to brand messaging.
Dr. Bolls is an associate professor of strategic communication in the Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri. He is also the co-director of the PRIME (Psychological Research on Information and Media Effects) Lab at the Missouri School of Journalism.
His research is focused on the cognitive and emotional processing of media. Dr. Bolls co-authored the first book on using biometric measures to study how the mind processes media, "Psychophysiological Measurement and Meaning: Cognitive and Emotional Processing of Media" released in August 2011.
Prior to joining the faculty at the Missouri School of Journalism, he taught and directed the Laboratory for the Study of Communication, Emotion and Cognition at Washington State University. In addition to his career in academia, Dr. Bolls worked in commercial radio for eight years.
He has authored and co-authored articles on advertising and media research published in the top tier peer-reviewed scientific journals, and has presented his research findings at national and international communication conferences. He has worked with clients and industry groups such as National Association of Broadcasters and Danish National Radio conducting seminars on effective message design.
Dr. Bolls earned a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Bloomington, an MA from Washington State University and BA from Montana State University.
Arthur J. Kover, Ph.D., Consulting Director, Advertising Research Services
Arthur Kover, Ph.D., is responsible for guiding HCD's advertising research services, and is focusing on designing optimal methods to adapt advertising research to the Internet.
Dr. Kover is the former editor of The Journal of Advertising Research, and is a Management Fellow at the Yale University School of Management.
During the 90's, he was the Chairman of the Marketing Department at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Kover spent 20 years working on research and strategic initiatives at some of the world's largest advertising agencies, including Kenyon & Eckhardt (now Bozell), Cunningham & Walsh and J. Walter Thompson.
He earned a BA in sociology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University. He is past president of the Market Research Council and the Advertising Agency Research Directors Council. He has written numerous articles and has presented research at many major conferences.
Craig Alter, M.D., Consulting Medical Director
Craig Alter, M.D., serves as consulting medical director for HCD Research. Dr. Alter is responsible for assessing strategic requirements and interpreting medical issues for marketing research projects and medical conferences. He also acts as a moderator for on-line consensus groups and assists in the design of medical research questionnaires.
Dr. Alter is a specialist in Pediatric Endocrinology Division of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
During his tenure, Dr. Alter has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including Fellow Teacher of the Year Award, Faculty Teaching Award and National Faculty Development Scholars Program.
Dr. Alter earned a BA, Summa Cum Laude, in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.D. with honors from Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Health and Science Program. He served his residency at Boston Children's Hospital, which is ranked among the nation's leading children's hospitals.
Dr. Alter is a renowned lecturer, having presented at national and international medical conferences on pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. He has also authored and co-authored numerous articles and research papers for prominent U.S. and international peer-reviewed medical journals.
Robert Feldman, Senior Vice President of Business Development
As director of account services, Robert Feldman is responsible for expanding business opportunities within existing accounts, developing new business and forming strategic alliances with other business partners. During his 30-year career, Feldman has specialized in domestic and global marketing and marketing research, including more than 10 years in the international pharmaceutical industry in new product development, Rx to OTC conversions and strategic planning.
Prior to joining HCD Research, Feldman was vice president of business development and client services for Macro International, a wholly-owned division of Opinion Research Corporation. He also served as director, business development, for the international division of BASES.
Previously, Feldman held positions at Schering-Plough, serving on the global launch team for the Claritin RX to OTC conversion. He also developed the international market research function at Allergan Pharmaceuticals, managing the ethical ophthalmic and contact lens care products marketing research programs. Feldman earned a BBA in statistics and an MBA from Bernard Baruch College.
Marcella Inserra, Vice President, Communications and Digital Research
As vice president of communications and digital research, Marcella Inserra assists in identifying new business opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry and other industries. Her main responsibilities include business development, developing new products within the consumer research arena and managing qualitative and quantitative research projects.
Prior to assuming her current responsibilities at HCD Research, Ms. Inserra was responsible for recruiting participants, fielding surveys, coordinating projects and developing budgets and project timelines. Ms. Inserra also plays an integral role in developing and enhancing the processes within the company's project management department.
She has participated in various marketing research conferences and training programs including CASRO's (Council of American Survey Research) Advanced Project Directors Training Workshop and Sales Workshop.
Ms. Inserra earned a BA in mathematics from The College of New Jersey.
Edward Staples, Vice President, Business Development
As a vice president of business development for HCD Research, Edward Staples is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities in the pharmaceutical and consumer package goods industries.
Mr. Staples has extensive experience in the health care market, across the spectrum of therapeutic areas, including gastroenterology, oncology, urology, neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, cardiology, respiratory, sleep medicine, women’s wellness and infectious disease.
Prior to joining HCD Research, Mr. Staples served as vice president of sales for Professional Communications, Inc., during which he directed all facets of sales to clients in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. He was also responsible for analyzing complex markets to identify the most profitable revenue channels and recommend appropriate products.
Previously, he served as senior account manager with Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC, where he was responsible for identifying and developing new business partnerships with a broad range of health care clients.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Staples served as a territory manager with Lincare, Inc., where he managed the largest sales center in the region, and researched competitors for potential acquisitions. He joined Lincare, Inc., as a sales representative, selling medical products and services to hospitals, medical centers and private practices.
Mr. Staples earned a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts.
Joe Messina, Director, Marketing Sciences
As director of marketing sciences, Joe Messina is responsible for designing and developing research solutions that combine biometric and traditional research methods. He also plays an integral role in developing and communicating insightful and actionable recommendations to clients.
Mr. Messina possesses more than 15 years of qualitative and quantitative research experience. The majority of his career has been focused on designing and implementing eye-tracking and biometric research solutions for global consumer package goods companies.
Prior to joining HCD Research, Mr. Messina served as research director with Perception Research Services. He was responsible for designing research solutions using eye tracking technology, biometric measurements and classic survey methods to guide packaging development, evaluate brand equity, concepts and print advertising across multiple brands for major CPG clients.
Previously, he served as international client services manager, qualitative research with Synovate, where he managed and coordinated multi-country qualitative research projects and designed moderator discussion guides. Mr. Messina began his career with Schlesinger Associates where he served as a recruiting supervisor, and later as a senior project manager for national qualitative research projects.
Mr. Messina earned a BA in Journalism from Rutgers University and an MA in Corporate and Public Communication from Seton Hall University.
Vince McGourty, Vice President, Public Relations and Marketing
Vince McGourty serves as vice president of public relations and marketing for HCD Research. In this role he directs all facets of the company’s business-to-business marketing, public relations and media communications strategies, and provides targeted sales support.
Prior to joining HCD Research, Mr. McGourty served as co-founder of a boutique communications consultancy that provided internal and external communications services for companies and not-for-profit organizations in the information technology and health care fields. The clients included Sun Microsystems, Computron Software, Lucent Technologies, HCD Research, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Knoll Pharmaceuticals and Ortho Biotech.
Previously, he served as marketing director for New York Television, a company specializing in corporate video and multimedia services. In that capacity, he was responsible for promoting and marketing the firm’s services to Fortune 500 companies. Earlier, Mr. McGourty held the position of corporate communications manager for Applied Data Research, where he was responsible for strategic internal and external communications. He began his career with AT&T, where he was a staff manager of internal communications, responsible for supporting the company’s Business Markets Group.
McGourty is past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and has served as a board member of the New Jersey Advertising Club. He earned a BS in journalism and minor in political science from West Virginia University.
George (Tripp) Carey, Marketing Research Consultant
Tripp Carey has nearly two decades of experience as a counseling psychologist and focus group moderator. During that time, Mr. Carey has conducted in-depth interviews and moderated focus groups for clients in the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industry. Mr. Carey has also designed and developed discussion guides and written numerous reports.
In addition to his association with HCD Research, Mr. Carey is the founder of White Oak Counseling Center. In private practice since 1990, he continues to provide individual, couples, and family counseling in the eastern Pennsylvania area. He has served as a staff psychologist for Lenape Valley Foundation, where he was the Director of Biofeedback and Stress Management and also managed a satellite office.
Mr. Carey earned an MS in community counseling from Villanova University and is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania. He also earned a BS in engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Carey has completed RIVA training for qualitative researchers and is an active member of QRCA.
Mr. Carey has also served as an adjunct faculty member of psychology at Delaware Valley College, and continues to conduct workshops for companies, schools, churches and community organizations.
Mridula Pottathil, Ph.D. Marketing Research Consultant
Mridula Pottathil, Ph.D. is a seasoned marketing research consultant with more than 10 years of academic research and client-side experience in intellectual property analysis and business development within the medtech, biotech and ecotech industries.
Dr. Pottathil draws on her extensive experience to provide clients with strategic insights for each phase of the marketing cycle from preclinical issues to pre- and post-marketing strategies. She has conducted numerous in-depth interviews and focus groups for clients in the diagnostics, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and diagnostics industries.
In addition to her association with HCD Research, Dr. Pottathil serves as director, intellectual property and business development management with AccuDx Corporation. In that role, she is responsible for providing business development and IP consulting services to clients in various sectors including diagnostics, nutraceuticals, dairy-based biotherapeutics, cosmeceuticals and ecotech including low cost biodiesel systems and agriculture waste stream utilization systems.
Previously, Dr. Pottathil served as a consultant, intellectual property strategy and management, with XL TechGroup, LLC, where she was responsible for managing IP portfolios, which included formulating strategic plans for IP prosecution and portfolio expansion to meet business development goals of client within specific cost parameters. Earlier in her career, she served as a patent agent with Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell &Berkowitz, where she assisted in drafting patents, USPTO responses, communications to clients and foreign associates, and also reviewed patentability opinion documents.
Dr. Pottathil has co-authored research papers for prominent U.S. peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including Journal of Bacteriology and Frontiers in Bioscience. She earned a BS in Animal Physiology/Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, she is a registered patent agent, as well as a FINRA registered investment banking representative.
Paul Brala, Ph.D., Consulting Director, Qualitative Research
Paul Brala, Ph.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist, with more than 15 years of experience in survey design, measurement and analysis. As a consulting director for HCD Research, Dr. Brala is focusing on issues related to the optimal therapeutic management of patients on psychotropic medication.
In addition to his association with HCD Research, Dr. Brala heads a private practice and consults on business related issues. Previously, he was a staff psychologist for the Children's Psychiatric Center in Morganville, NJ, and Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Colorado River Indian Reservation. Dr. Brala also served as a field supervisor in the Graduate School for Applied Professional Psychology at Rutgers University.
After serving four years as a U.S. Navy Medical Corpsman, Dr. Brala received a BS with a double major in biology and psychology from Florida State University. He also earned an MS and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Florida State University, during which he completed an extensive minor in neuropharmacology at the Florida A&M School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Brala has authored and co-authored scientific articles, abstracts and posters, and has presented at international clinical conferences.
Susan Riley, Marketing Research Consultant
Susan Riley has more than two decades of product management and health care moderating experience, having moderated nearly 2,000 promotional meetings and focus groups. In addition to moderating focus groups for HCD Research, she also develops discussion guides, analyzes data and writes comprehensive reports.
Prior to her association with HCD Research, Ms.Riley served as an independent moderator for pharmaceutical companies. As a product marketing manager with NDC Health and marketing director for IMS Health, she authored IMS Business Watch: Year in Review, and also received the vice-president's award for new product launch excellence. She also served as a moderator with The Vanderveer Group and as principal market analyst with Healthcare Marketing Group.
Ms. Riley earned a BA in Spanish and an MBA in marketing from New Mexico State University.
Maureen Wesolowski, Marketing Research Consultant
Maureen Wesolowski provides marketing research services primarily for clients in the health care industry. She has been involved in a wide variety of both qualitative and quantitative research studies for HCD Research, including numerous focus groups.
Prior to her association with HCD Research, she served as the marketing research and planning department manager at Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc. for eight years. There she conducted both qualitative and quantitative studies including focus groups for new product development projects, concept testing, testing of instrument prototypes and completed instruments, customer satisfaction and corporate image studies. She received formal training in conducting focus groups at the Burke Institute.
Prior to her tenure at Roche, Wesolowski was associate product manager at Electro-Nucleonics, Inc. and a registered medical technologist (ASCP) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
She earned a BS in medical technology from Rutgers University and an MBA in marketing/management from Rutgers Graduate School of Management.
