Chairman
BOBBY MARTIN
CEO & Co-Founder
Startup wiz who digs industry research, call preparation, and talks too much. Angel investor, The Hockey Stick Principles author, former banker, Appalachian State alumni, hiking, sports of all types, Federer wanna-be, mountains, questioning authority, and his fav musician is Ryan Adams.
Favorite Movie: Into the Wild
Favorite Musical Artist: Ryan Adams and Rush
Favorite Book: A River Runs Through It
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.”
Leadership Team
DAVID BUFFALOE
President
The “Marketing Guy” turned “President.” 25+ years of building early stage companies through marketing strategy and operational execution. Weekend warrior on the tennis court and lover of bourbon, craft beers, travel and watching sports (except baseball). Devoted NCSU Wolfpack and Carolina Hurricanes fan. Raleigh native and family guy to wife, two kids and dog Finley.
Favorite Musical Artist: Mumford & Sons
Favorite Food: Steamed Oysters
Caffeine Fix: Mountain Dew
“Livin’ the dream”
BILL WALKER
Co-Founder & Research Advisor
With over 35 years of technology product management experience, the “old man” of the team, also known as “the doctor”. Fan of craft beers, wine, good food, watching sports, and creating limericks. Formerly a serious golfer, now a Crossfit devotee, along with his wife (the real athlete in the family). A lover of all dogs, especially golden retrievers.
Best Non-Work Activity: Playing w/my granddaughter
Favorite Food: Shrimp and grits
Caffeine Fix: Darkest roast black coffee
“Bill tries hard”
SUSAN BELL
Co-Founder & Chief Sales Officer
Former banker, current industry intelligence guru with a passion for helping sales professionals and advisors differentiate themselves. A musician and avid shoe collector. Can be found most days walking on the beach before heading to the office. 100% morning person and total mom (minus the jeans).
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Sports Team: KC Chiefs
Best Candle Scent: Fresh Balsam
“Don’t sweat the small stuff”
COURTNEY FARFOUR
VP, Customer Success
Teacher at heart, solutions-provider by trade. Now combining the two by helping others in the financial industry succeed. Pays attention to the details. Professional beach bum and soccer mom living in Raleigh, NC, with her husband, two boys, and a pup.
Best Non-Work Activity: Going to the beach
Favorite Musical Artist: Zac Brown Band
Best Candle Scent: Fresh Linen
“Better to have tried and lost than to have never tried at all”
KEN TAYLOR
COO & CFO
CPA and entrepreneur with over 30 years experience working with service and technology companies. Native North Carolinian, avid golfer, and runner. Loving life as a grandfather to three beautiful grandkids.
Favorite Musical Artist: The Beatles
Favorite Sports Team: UNC Tarheels
Favorite Cereal: Granola
“Show up every day.”
MATT REDDING
Chief Technology Officer
Wide ranging technical solutions background with a passion for web development and the startup world. Loves cooking, trying new foods, good coffee, the beach, the mountains and cutting-edge technology. UNC alumni, Go Heels! Definitely a morning person and can often be found writing code by 5am.
Favorite Movie: Unsusal Suspects
Favorite Food: Gyros
Favorite Cereal: Fruity Pebbles
“If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.”
Full Team
PAUL HOCK
VP, Strategic Partnerships
Favorite Food: Homemade Lasagne
Favorite Book: The Canterbury Tales
Caffeine Fix: Black coffee with a shot of vanilla
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy” -MLKJr
AIMEE TRACY
Senior Sales Associate
Favorite Musical Artist: Luke Combs or Old Dominion
Favorite Sports Team: Any Pittsburgh Team
Favorite Book: The Nightingale
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
COLE TEAL
Sales Development Representative
Best Non-Work Activity: Golf
Favorite Musical Artist: The Brook & the Bluff
Favorite Candle Scent: Bergamot Waters
“Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning” – Robert Kiyosaki
NICOLLE BOUFFARD DELISO
Director, Training & Success
Favorite Food: Lobster & Mushroom Risotto
Caffeine Fix: Grande Skinny Peppermint Latte (double shot)
Best Candle Scent: Christmas Cookie
“Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that’s a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect.” -Rob Reiner
ANNE ELIZABETH HARRELL
Customer Success Manager
Favorite Musical Artist: Widespread Panic
Favorite Movie: Ocean’s Trilogy
Best Candle Scent: Bamboo
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” -Dr. Seuss
JESSIE BURGESS
Customer Advocacy Manager
Favorite Book: The Help
Favorite Cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Best Non-Work Activity: Weekend trips, especially to the mountains!
“A positive mindset brings positive things”
CHRISTY CLEMENT
Controller
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Sports Team: Clemson Tigers
Favorite Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios
“This too shall pass.”
DRAKE BRANSON
Director, Product
Best Non-Work Activity: Anything involving mountains
Favorite Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Favorite Cereal: Wheaties
“Experiencing the world through endless second-hand information isn’t enough. If we want authenticity, we have to initiate it.” -Travis Rice
JULIE GILBERT
VP, Marketing
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Musical Artist: Eric Church
Favorite Sports Team: UNC Tarheels
“”Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” -Tim Notke
KELSEY SURMACZ
Content Marketing Manager
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Favorite Sports Team: The Pittsburgh Penguins
Caffeine Fix: Grande Apple Chai Tea Latte with Oatmilk
“Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon” – Paul Brandt
BRIN SULLIVAN
Integrated Marketing Manager
Favorite Musical Artist: Harry Styles
Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
Favorite Sports Team: The Pittsburgh Steelers
“Live and let live.”
MOLLIE B. BURNHAM
Marketing & Operations Manager
Best Non-Work Activity: Treasure hunting
Favorite Book: Lonesome Dove
Caffeine Fix: Hot Herbal Tea
“We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
AMY SHORT
Director, Research
Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Caffeine Fix: Caramel Macchiato Latte
“Ever forward.”
KIMBERLEY MCCAULEY
Research Operations Manager
Favorite Movie: Circle of Friends
Best Non-Work Activity: Playing trumpet at Oktoberfests
Favorite Food: Swedish Gingersnap Cookies
“Live, love, laugh, & be free.”
BETH POTTER
Director, Industry News
Favorite Movie: War Horse
Favorite Book: Fear Nothing
Best Candle Scent: Cinnamon
“This moment contains all moments.” -C.S. Lewis
Zeke Hart
Full Stack Developer
Favorite Food: Dan dan mian
Favorite Cereal: Cinnamon Life
Favorite Book: “Ficciones” by Jorge Luis Borges
“There is no truth. There is only perception.” -Gustave Flaubert
JAMES BRYANT
Research Analyst
Best Non-Work Activity: Woodworking
Favorite Musical Artist: ZZ Top
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
“Don’t Panic.”
KIM NABORS
News Analyst
Caffeine Fix: 1/3 cream, 1/3 decaf, 1/3 regular coffee
Favorite Candle Scent: Birchwood Pine
Favorite Movie: Tombstone
“A great strength is knowing your weaknesses.”
KINNARI SHAH
Backend Software Developer
Best Non-Work Activity: Trying out new recipes
Favorite Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats
Favorite Book: The Alchemist
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I’m changing myself.” – Rumi
PAUL REECE
Software Developer
Favorite Movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Favorite Sports Team: The Atlanta Hawks
Favorite Food: Sushi
“You plus motivation equals success.” – Jim Valvano