Leadership Team
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.”
BILL WALKER
Co-Founder & EVP, Product Strategy
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 & EVP, Sales
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”
DAVID BUFALLOE
Chief Marketing Officer
The “Marketing Guy.” 25+ years of building early stage companies through marketing strategy and 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”
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.”
Full Team
NICOLLE BOUFFARD DELISO
Director, Customer Success
13-year banker turned matchmaker — connecting Vertical IQ customers with the industry tools they need to win new business and improve retention! Bourbon snob, football fanatic, avid sailor, and mom to 2 fur babies (Ozzy – Australian Shepherd and Audrey – Tortoiseshell Cat).
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
COURTNEY FARFOUR
Director of Customer Accounts
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”
IAN PEDDICORD
Customer Success Manager
Relationship liaison and customer solutions are his thing. Resident armchair hockey/soccer, music and bad movie aficionado. Avid woodworker, and tinkerer of tech with dozens of unfinished projects. Graduate of ECU (Arggh), lives in Raleigh and has a dog.
Favorite Musical Artist: Arctic Monkeys
Favorite Sports Team: Manchester United
Best Candle Scent: Tobacco & Wood
“Be excellent to each other.”
ANDY THORSON
Senior Sales Associate
The Sales Dude. Connecting customers with the right industry intelligence platform to help them be better at what they do. Former subprime mortgage guru (sorry everyone) and business owner. Soccer fanatic, husband, dad of 4, renowned pants-hater, lover of all 80’s movies and 80’s music (mainly U2) and tattoo collector.
Favorite Musical Artist: U2
Favorite Sports Team: Newcastle United
FavoriteFood: Bouillabaisse
“It’s ‘Offside’ not ‘Offsides.'”
AIMEE TRACY
Director, Sales Development
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
LAURA STIDHAM
Director, Marketing
Prom queen turned marathon runner (never again) with a weakness for junk food and a love for live music. Marketing wiz, sailing aficionado, and living proof that big things come in small packages. Dog mom to the best dog in the world and Vertical IQ mascot, Rudder the Golden.
Best Non-Work Activity: Sailing
Favorite Cereal: Apple Jacks
Caffeine Fix: Iced Chai
“Be Here Now”
DRAKE BRANSON
Director, Business Analytics
Equal parts strategist, marketer, and company handyman. Traveler & outdoorsman with a love for dogs, good espresso, and anything competitive (yes, even toe wrestling). App State grad/soccer player/coach and former winner of the “Best Dressed” senior superlative.
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
AMY SHORT
Director, Research
Industry analyst of over 15 years and fierce competitor in Words with Friends. Often found lounging by the pool, crafting, watching sci-fi or cooking. Loves football, travel, tasty beverages, and living by the seaside with her husband and two children.
Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Caffeine Fix: Caramel Macchiato Latte
“Ever forward.”
BETH POTTER
Director, Industry News
News junkie whose day is not complete without The Wall Street Journal (yes, it’s “The!”). When not immersed in news she enjoys arts and literature, dogs and horses, and taking her fabulous family on new adventures.
Favorite Movie: War Horse
Favorite Book: Fear Nothing
Best Candle Scent: Cinnamon
“This moment contains all moments.” -C.S. Lewis
CHRISTY CLEMENT
Controller
Logistics and details are her thing. Practical thinker, multi-tasker, office go-to, mixed with a busy family life. Spending time with her husband, three kids, and vacations at the beach are her favorite.
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Sports Team: Clemson Tigers
Favorite Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios
“This too shall pass.”
MOLLIE B. BURNHAM
Marketing & Operations Manager
World traveler and adventurer, lived in the best three mountain ranges in the lower 48 and lover of all things grand. Digs camping, live music, fly fishing, skiing, and finding a true vintage treasure! She and Willow (true furry road warrior) spend their days managing Bobby and his shenanigans, never a dull moment!
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.”
KIMBERLEY MCCAULEY
Research Analyst
Researcher, industry updater, and avid news reader. Trumpet polka player, dart thrower, wood turner, and half-finish project crochet hook handler. Stays busy by keeping up with husband and chasing two children.
Favorite Movie: Circle of Friends
Best Non-Work Activity: Playing trumpet at Oktoberfests
Favorite Food: Swedish Gingersnap Cookies
“Live, love, laugh, & be free.”
JAMES BRYANT
International Research
The native Texan of the team. Calls the greater-ATX area home. Has provided company and industry insights since just before the dot-com bubble burst. Proud dad to a teenage son and assistant curator of his miniature zoo (cat, Berber skink, African bullfrog, etc.). A faithful Longhorn football fan and still on the quest for cooking the perfect brisket. Meditates with the help of sawdust, welding sparks, and garden soil.
Best Non-Work Activity: Woodworking
Favorite Musical Artist: ZZ Top
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
“Don’t Panic.”
MATT REDDING
Vice President, Technology
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.”
KIM NABORS
Research Analyst
Raleigh native who enjoys cooking, reading, and walking. Can also be caught playing golf or chasing sunsets. Researcher for Vertical IQ by day, manager of one husband, one son, and one dog by night. Oh, and she’s very organized.
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.”