The People of Saurage Research

Susan Saurage-Altenloh

President

Susan Saurage-Altenloh

Susan specializes in designing research strategies and producing results that meet clients’ information needs – completely and exactly. Her 25+ years of experience include facilitating more than 1,700 focus groups, completing hundreds of quantitative survey projects, conducting thousands of in-depth interviews, and securing a reputation for producing reliable, timely, applicable results. She’s known for employing creative hybrid research methodologies that find and deliver the “big ideas” for workable, successful marketing strategies for strategic planning and brand development purposes

Susan likes to surf the early adoption curve of new techniques and methodologies and has won several national and regional awards for her creative and unique research approaches to securing critical information for clients. Susan’s qualitative experience is exceptionally diverse with an emphasis in healthcare, industrial/manufacturing, B2B, C-level executives, energy, professional services, air and water quality, financial, and sensitive issues.

Susan is a graduate of the MBA program at University of Texas at Austin – one of the top 10 business schools in the country. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Houston Baptist University, earning her degrees in Business Administration and Management. Before establishing Saurage Research in 1987, Susan served as vice-president of a large southeastern region research firm.

Susan has authored several articles appearing in national and regional business publications including Marketing News, Quirk’s Marketing Research Review, Houston Business Journal, QRCA’s Views and TheModerator.net. She regularly appears on television as an expert in market information and research trends. And, because she understands the intricacies and needs of a variety of industries, she is in constant demand as a speaker for advertising, marketing and healthcare groups around the country.

Tracy Dudley

Senior Research Analyst

Tracy Dudley

With her strong background in consumer psychology and marketing research, Tracy provides knowledge that is essential to effective research and consulting. She has advanced analytical and problem-solving skills in addition to exceptional written-communication and visual-presentations skills. Tracy’s background in statistics allows her to assess informational needs and determine the optimal analyses necessary. Her high self-motivation, concern for efficiency, and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every project is completed to the highest standard of quality and delivered promptly, often exceeding deadlines.

Tracy’s expertise is research analysis and report writing. She has extensive experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative data using a wide array of techniques, reporting results, describing implications, and formulating recommendations. Tracy has been involved in hundreds of publication and writing efforts as an author, a research analyst, or both. With more than 15 years of project management and research experience, Tracy offers unique and invaluable perspectives for market research and the importance of fulfillment of all research endeavors above and beyond client expectations.

Tracy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her undergraduate years, she maintained Dean’s List status, was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, and graduated with distinction. Tracy earned her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing Research from the University of Colorado in Denver.

Dick Whittington

Research Strategist

Dick Whittington

Dick is a career research professional with over 40 years of experience in a wide range of global business environments both B2B and B2C.

He specializes in delivering practical solutions to address specific client needs. The majority of his career was spent as a client-side researcher which allows him to bring that unique perspective to the research he designs and delivers to clients.

In addition to his skills as a project manager and consultant, Dick has moderated groups, interviewed professionals, facilitated meetings, spoken at industry conferences, written articles for trade publications, led training/development sessions and mentored researchers in their  professional development.

Dick approaches research strategically, with a belief that, to be relevant today, researchers must:

• Understand and advocate for customers based on their complete body of research knowledge and experience, not individual project results
• Deliver a greater return on research investments than alternative uses for the same funds
• Successfully influence business leaders regarding actions and strategies to deliver business growth, profit and customer commitment.

Dick earned his Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Erin Keating

Project Manager

Erin Keating

Erin specializes in client service and project management. With over 10 years of marketing communications experience, Erin has managed project teams of cross-channel experts to assure optimal marketing objectives. From rebranding to negotiating valuable media placements, Erin delivers results oriented service to clients. With strong attention to detail and a genuine desire to provide unparalleled service, Erin makes it a priority to gain first-hand insight into clients’ products and services. She has diverse account category knowledge with a primary focus on B2B, including financial, telecommunications, insurance and technology.

At Saurage Research, Erin specializes in project management and designing and applying research solutions to help clients achieve their goals.

Erin is a member of the Houston chapter of the American Marketing Association and serves on the Communications and Special Services committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. One of the primary functions of this committee is to conduct telephone and performance on-site surveys to provide entertainer preference information and audience demographics.

Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Texas Tech University.