The Brooks Adams Research team works diligently to find answers to your most complicated business and marketing questions and enjoys the challenge of difficult problems that require innovative solutions. Please read below to learn more about the individuals who make up Brooks Adams Research.
Robert T. Adams, Partner
As Partner in Brooks Adams Research, Robert Adams brings nearly 20 years of experience in market research, computer applications and interactive program design to the table. Robert has also been working in the senior housing industry with SB&A since 1989. Robert a magna cum laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, served in the United States Air Force from 1986 to 1989 both in the US and the United Kingdom. Robert is a native of Richmond, Virginia.
Sharon A. Brooks, Partner
Sharon Adams Brooks graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Communications and Psychology. Sharon was awarded an assistantship from ABC Television to do graduate study in Advertising and Public Relations at the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia. In 1981, she founded Sharon Brooks & Associates, Inc. The agency, now known as SB&A, has handled various accounts including retirement housing and senior products, consumer and commercial products, business-to-business, economic development, commercial and residential real estate, travel and tourism, and hospitals.
Connie Mattox, CEO
Connie Mattox has nearly 10 years of experience as a market researcher, with an expertise in consumer behavior research. Connie’s research experience and training includes the employment of qualitative techniques aimed at uncovering emotional tensions, nontraditional focus group design, consumer profiling, observational research, concept testing, product testing, shopping studies, pricing studies, Net Promoter testing and satisfaction studies, as well as an array of other quantitative analysis methods. Along with a wealth of experience creating and managing virtual consumer research communities and brand advocate groups, as well as employing social media platforms to conduct consumer research, Connie has conducted regional, national and international studies in the hygiene, household care, beauty care, food/food service, 50+ shopper and senior living industries. A graduate of the University of Richmond, Connie completed the Robins School MBA program at the University of Richmond in 2011.
Mary Ruth Coleman, Research Analyst and Project Manager
A graduate of VCU in Richmond, Virginia with an undergraduate degree in Marketing, Mary Ruth Coleman brings more than eight years of extensive work experience in project management to Brooks Adams Research. Mary Ruth has managed multifunctional, cross-departmental projects as well as a variety of major corporate events. Her research expertise includes focus group moderation and analysis, observational studies, consumer intercepts, survey analysis and trend research. In addition to her work in senior living, Mary Ruth has a wealth of research and project management experience in the specialty foods, grocery and manufacturing logistics industries.
Hema Murthy, Senior Research Specialist
As Senior Research Specialist at Brooks Adams Research, Hema is responsible for developing research proposals and designing and implementing a wide range of research methodologies and studies, as well as for methodological consulting; she is also responsible for Brooks Adams Research’s panel development and Internet research. Hema received her Masters in Management Studies with specialization in Marketing from Mumbai University, India. Prior to working for Brooks Adams Research, she worked for ACNielsen and IMRB (the Indian Market Research Bureau) as Quantitative Research Executive. Hema has served as Research Account Manager for companies like Johnson & Johnson and Boots Piramal, on the agency side and her experience in a variety of business categories includes senior living, baby and kids’ products, consumer security systems and financial instruments. Hema is proficient in developing and conducting Internet research and panel development, Usage and Attitude studies, Tracking studies, Branding and Brand Equity studies, and User-profiling studies.
Rachna Gupta, Panel Project Manager
Rachna is a Panel Project Manager at Brooks Adams Research and possesses knowledge and experience in managing a variety of market research projects. She specializes in online panel survey technology including programming online surveys and sample management. She is involved in the development of the online research panel for Brooks Adams Research – opinion.researching.com. Prior to joining Brooks Adams Research, Rachna worked with MSI, where she specialized in the development of its global panel survey technology and managed online market research projects. She also has prior experience with Temple University’s Center for Research in Human Development and Education, where she managed research and evaluation for a federally funded grant project. Rachna holds a Masters in Broadcasting, Telecommunication and Mass Media from Temple University in Pennsylvania and Bachelors in Psychology from Bombay University, India.
Elva B. Tyler, Calling Services Manager
Elva Tyler joined Brooks Adams Research in 2002 as a Research Assistant; within two years she was promoted to her present position of Calling Services Manager. Elva brings 25 years of customer service experience to Brooks Adams Research, including five years as a Communications Specialist with The Southeastern Institute of Research, LLC.
Katie Brooks Elliott, Marketing Specialist
Katie Brooks Elliott’s marketing experience began in high school and extended through college interning for SB&A. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in both Fine Arts and English from Davidson College, North Carolina, Katie became the National Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Aspen Skiing Company in Colorado, and her work has included economic development and tourism experience as the dedicated account manager handling the Town of Snowmass Village account for Promotional Concepts in Aspen. Since joining SB&A in 2007, Katie’s diversity of responsibilities has grown to include work on new business initiatives, shared responsibility for internal PR campaigns and promotion of SB&A/BAR in Colorado, spearheading the Agency’s social media team, and lead account management on the development of SB&A’s internal apps. Katie currently resides in Aspen, Colorado and Richmond, Virginia, splitting her time between locales.
Lynne Griffin, Research Proofreader/Copyeditor
Lynne Griffin has worked in administrative services at SB&A for more than 20 years. During nine of those years she was also the Agency’s proofreader and has been proofreader for Brooks Adams Research since its inception. Lynne received her BA in Education from the State University of New York, College at Cortland. She is currently SB&A’s Media Payables Specialist and New Employee Orientation Coordinator.
Sylvia Baylor, Interviewer/Customer Service
Sylvia joined Brooks Adams Research in 2008 as an Interviewer, bringing excellent customer service skills gained from her previous position as Office Assistant at Digital Productions, Inc. She has attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in pursuit of a degree in Business/Psychology, and Harris School of Business for Legal Office Technology certification.
Gwen Gordon, Interviewer/Customer Service
Gwen became an Interviewer at Brooks Adams Research in March of 2008. She has an extensive background in marketing/customer service through previous work experience at C & P Telephone Company, Western Electric and Disher Research. Gwen earned certification in Child Psychology for the Head Start Program from RPI (Richmond Professional Institute, which is now Virginia Commonwealth University).
Anne Taylor Robertson, Research Project Coordinator
A 2011 graduate of Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, VA with a BA in Communication Studies, Anne Taylor Robertson brings an impressive cross-section of skills to Brooks Adams Research. While in school Anne Taylor garnered NPO/business and management experience working with organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation serving VA; she became proficient in copywriting while working at Hampton Roads Magazine; and as an academic conference presenter she developed qualitative research experience in human communication and philosophical studies. Anne Taylor was hired after completing an internship with BAR in which she supported a variety of projects including focus groups, surveys, feasibility studies and marketing audits.
The team is assisted by a team of Research Specialists and Research Assistants.