HerStory: Debbie Fair, Director of Operations
When did you join Campos Inc? 1997
What brought you to Campos Inc? I was ready for what was next for me professionally, and answered an ad for a position at Campos Inc. During my interview, the hiring consultant got a call for an excel report, and she asked me if I knew how to do it, because she did not! Jumping in on the spot whenever you’re needed got me the job. And I came to learn it’s something that’s key here, and that’s why we’re such a strong team.
Do you remember your earliest project? Not a project, exactly, but I sailed through 3 random audits in my first year!
Tell us a good story from your early days at Campos Inc. We were working on a beer slogan testing project within my first few weeks on the job, and everybody pitched in to go to local bars and ask customers to vote on slogans. I (the new girl!) ended up with more responses than anyone else due to my social butterfly nature, and despite not having free samples everyone asked for all night! It was fun to see the results of our work turn up everywhere in the client’s new campaign later on. I also hired an assistant once who had the same last name as me (no, no nepotism!) causing a little confusion in the office for awhile.
HerStory: Kelli Best, Director, Field and Fulfillment
When did you join Campos Inc? 1988
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| Kelli Best, in her early days with Campos Inc |
What brought you to Campos Inc? A few months after the birth of my son, I was chatting with a longtime friend about my not really being ready to go back to work full-time just yet, and she mentioned a part-time call center job that she was currently working and suggested I give it a try. I called Campos Inc, had a brief telephone interview and attended the training session which believe it or not was scheduled for the very next evening! DESTINY, I guess.
Do you remember your earliest project? Although I worked with multiple clients during my “formative” years, my first MAJOR client who I worked with on many, many projects was a company that conducted market research among physicians. Recruiting for these projects was instrumental in the creation and development of our multi-specialty physicians database.
Got any good stories? We were hosting focus groups one afternoon and the client had ordered lasagna for lunch. Our caterer left heating instructions for our hosting staff, but, as the lasagna heated, the cheese overflowed and started to burn in the oven. The overhead vent was not enough to clear the smoke, which billowed out and set off the fire alarm. Once started, it could not be stopped. The fire department showed up in full gear, and staff, clients and respondents were marched down the stairwell to wait in the lobby until we were given the all-clear.
HerStory: Barb Theobald, EVP Research Services
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Barb (middle, left), Yvonne (c) and Kelli Best (bottom, right) circa '92 |
When did you join Campos Inc? 1988
What brought you to Campos Inc? I was working in the market research industry in Cincinnati when my husband was offered a position in Pittsburgh. As I started my job search (no websites back then!), everyone I spoke to said that if I wanted to work in research, Campos Inc was the place to be. I sent in my resume and the rest is history.
Do you remember your earliest project? All I remember is juggling lots of projects in the Call Center.
Do you remember your earliest project? All I remember is juggling lots of projects in the Call Center.
Got any good stories? One of the first projects that I worked on was to profile visitors to the Pittsburgh Zoo. I was amazed that so many people had come from, where I thought, the state of Indiana. I quickly learned that there was a place called Indiana PA. Since then, I have been there numerous times to work with our clients in that area.
Year you joined: 1995
What brought you to Campos Inc? I had worked in radio doing interviews, and I thought I’d be good at this. When I arrived for my interview, I discovered the personnel director was the sister of a colleague at my other job. Small town!
What brought you to Campos Inc? I had worked in radio doing interviews, and I thought I’d be good at this. When I arrived for my interview, I discovered the personnel director was the sister of a colleague at my other job. Small town!
Do you remember your earliest project? A New York State Tourism Board survey, asking people why they had visited the state and whether they would go back again.
How has recruiting changed over the time you've been with Campos Inc? It used to be a lot trickier, because sample would be from a variety of places, sometimes xeroxing a few pages of a phone book, and it could be a happy accident to get the job done. Now it’s better because today we use our VO!CE of the Region online community, customer lists and other sources of targeted sample.
Got any good stories? We were recruiting women for a study, and I called a number and a man answered. I asked if the lady of the house was available, and the man said, “No. She ran away with the neighbor last week.”
