Formed Tate and Associates in 1997. Through in-house expertise and strategic partners, Tate and Associates provide full-service, professional and creative solutions for clients' marketing research and related management needs. Areas of expertise include: competitive intelligence gathering and analysis; customer satisfaction and loyalty measurement, benchmarking and tracking; internal and external communications assessment; market segmentation; and product and service development. Client base includes energy utilities, business and economic development organizations, and professional and trade associations. Selected Achievements:> Developed a customer satisfaction measurement program for a home security system company that resulted in measures that improved customer acquisition and retention. > Conducted groundbreaking research for a National Energy Association to assess the market potential of distributed (i.e., on-site) generation for commercial and industrial customers that let to recommending specific marketing tactics.

As a Management and Program Analyst in the Federal Consulting Directorate, Rick worked with Senior Managers in the federal government to develop and deploy satisfaction measures and best practices for employees, citizens and other constituents. He also facilitated communities of practice to promote better government performance through satisfaction measurement.

Named Practice Leader of the Public-Government Sector in January 2008 and managed a staff of 5 consultants providing customer and employee satisfaction research to more than 50 federal agencies and departments using the American Customer Satisfaction Index methodology. From 2002 to January 2008, managed client assignments with a leading major transportation services provider, several public utilities, a lighting manufacturer, a national telecommunications company, and a major financial services provider. Selected Achievements:> Management of internal staff, business development initiatives, and efforts to improve relationships with strategic partners resulted in a 50% increased in revenue and improved profitability from FY 2007 to FY 2008. > Led efforts with a Fortune 500 company to develop an International Customer Satisfaction research program that contributed to strategies for business acquisition and retention.> Managed pioneering research to model drivers of a tuition benefits program that resulted in significant re-engineering of administrative systems for a major transportation services provider.

Started this new Division of Guideline Research Corporation that provided custom marketing research services to the electric, natural gas and other energy services industries. Had full P&L responsibility, directed all division operations, marketing and sales activities, and managed Guideline's national energy research services. Business focused on customer service, satisfaction and loyalty measurement and tracking; market planning and strategic research; market segmentation; product and service evaluation; market share measurement and assessment; and, competitive intelligence gathering and tracking. Selected Achievements:> Responsible for about $1.3 million in new sales for the division. > Conducted research for an electric services provider that led to a successful launch of a new home program.

Managed the Marketing Research Services Division, including developing and directing marketing research products and services for this national energy services provider. Worked with more than 50 electric, gas and combination fuel utilities throughout the United States. As part of duties, supervised on-going department operations, provided project management, and coordinated research capabilities in customer satisfaction measurement, customer attitude and opinion studies, market segmentation and program testing and evaluation.Selected Achievements:> Directed a customer service re-engineering effort for a medium-sized company that resulted in significant changes to office hours, payment options and staff training. > Participated in a task force that conducted research and design for a nationally branded energy efficiency home program.

Directed this university-based research group that provided marketing research, planning, economic development, and related services and education for business, industry, and government. Corporate sponsors included technology-driven industries such as food processing, wood products, chemicals, electric utilities and metal working, among others. Government sponsors included federal agencies such as the Appalachian Regional Commission, Economic Development Administration and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

In charge of the overall marketing and business development of the Atlanta office of this national marketing research consulting firm and managed and conducted research for several major electric utilities and telecommunications companies. Applying both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, this research included market segmentation, product positioning, corporate communications, and market forecasting and planning.

Responsible for identifying market research needs and opportunities; developing and executing programs to meet those needs; and documenting and communicating findings and recommendations to management. Some major accomplishments included: Planning and implementation of a geographic information system to support market research and forecasting; Identification of the market potential and development of a marketing plan for a premium grade electric service; and researching company and public attitudes toward service and nuclear power.

For this national planning and engineering consulting firm was responsible for socioeconomic analyses, feasibility studies, neighborhood and community development evaluations, and comprehensive military planning. Also developed and supervised passenger surveys, a community survey, and a downtown merchants survey for a major AmTrak station relocation study.

Managed an on-site field data center and provided analytical support for a team of conservation research scientists.

Co-managed an audiovisual instructional materials center and developed instructional materials for high school students.