About Us

Company Profile

Thoroughbred Research Group is an employee owned firm that has for three consecutive years has ranked in Inc. magazines top 5,000 privately held firms. The management team is comprised of a uniquely qualified group of professionals with over 200 years of combined experience across a myriad of industries. We are committed to lifelong learning through professional certifications and client engagements. Together we share an inveterate core value; actionable data begins with a consultative design approach.

Membership & Certification

We are active participants, presenters, and drivers within the research community. You'll find us leading the best practice conversation at a wide range of organizations and associations, including:

• American Marketing Association
• American Association for Public Opinion Research
• Council of American Research Organizations
• Marketing Research Association
• Newspaper Association of America
• Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group
• Interactive Marketing Research Organization
• Professional Researcher Certification by MRA
• Center for Medicare Services Certified

Our People

Steve Alsbury - President

Steve brings 35 years of hands-on experience to your research initiative. He provides oversight for your project administered through our five domestic call centers. Steve's fundamental philosophy of delivering actionable data begins with a consultative design approach and sound research practices. This view is firmly entrenched in our core values and is a bedrock principle of every research engagement.

Harold Busack - Chief Financial Officer

Harold has a combined 15 years of market research and finance experience. He holds a B.A. in Accounting with a Minor in Economics from Lenoir Rhyne University. He served as the Co-chair of the CASRO conference and is an active member of Greater Louisville Inc. Harold has been instrumental in the expansion of research services and the Thoroughbred's Top 75 research firm ranking.

Jim Lunger - Vice President Data Analytics

Jim Lunger is a 25-year industry professional who heads a team of industry certified researchers. Jim and his senior team combine 200 years of theoretical and practical experience to provide you with significant insight into consumer behavior, product marketing, and brand positioning.

Vic Walsh, PRC - Vice President Business Development

Vic is a 17-year industry veteran of research industry best practices. He holds a B.S in Accounting and a Minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University. He also holds the Professional Researcher Certification from the Marketing Research Association. Vic has earned the respect of clients and peers alike for his collaborative approach to research initiatives and advancing industry professional standards.

Brad Larson, PRC - Vice President Marketing

Brad brings over 18 years of research expertise to every client engagement. He holds and B.A in Economics from Brigham Young University, with a Minor in Spanish. He was a recipient of the Marketing Research Association Rising Start award. He also holds the Professional Researcher Certification, Certified Expert Level from the Marketing Research Association. Brad notes, "I can't think of an industry with better people and more opportunities for growth."

John Wolak - Vice President Programming

John has over 12 years experience in the areas of CATI programming, tabulations, questionnaire development and operational facilities management. John and his staff oversee the programming for more than 300 projects a year. His insight is one of the reasons that Thoroughbred Research Group is at the forefront of delivering actionable data.

Brian Trammell - Vice President Data Processing

Brian brings 19 years of data analysis, programming and statistics expertise to Thoroughbred Research Group. He holds a B.A degree in Computer Science with an emphasis in mathematics from Bellarmine University. Brian and his staff program and deliver tabulations and databases, as well as all telephone, web, in-person, mail, and email research data for analysis.

Nancy Alsbury - Vice President Operational Resources

Nancy is responsible for quality assurance, development, coding, and project methodology. She has 18 years experience in market research at national and international levels. Nancy directs internal training programs to assure that all call centers meet or exceed the Thoroughbred benchmarking standards.

Mary Lea Quick - Director of Qualitative Research

Mary Lea has over 20 years experience in advancing customer insight through qualitative research. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Louisville and a Professional Researcher Certification from the Marketing Research Association. Mary Lea has moderated traditional and mini focus groups as well as conducted one-on-one interviews nationwide.

Tim Alex - Director Online Programming

Tim has over 14 years of experience in research and programming for a wide range of private and Fortune 500 companies. He has worked with virtually every panel company in the United States. He is a recognized leader in the areas of CfMC platforms (WebSurvent, Survent, Mentor, and WebCATI). His expertise extends into programming of web studies, phone studies, tabulations, and custom reporting. When not advancing client initiatives you'll find Tim attending CFMC training sessions and User Group/Training conferences.