About Us
THERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT GOING ON HERE
Vertical IQ stays ahead of the curve
with innovation and dedication.
When a group of proven industry insiders, sales experts, and thought leaders
get together to create something truly innovative, people pay attention.
OUR STORY
Most businesses blather on about their inception dates and start-up capital. Who cares? Find out how Vertical IQ really started and why. It’s a different type of story for a different type of business -- and one in which you stand out as the main character.
OUR TEAM
Meet the industry insiders, sales experts, and thought leaders driving success with Industry Intelligence. From seasoned banking pros and marketing leaders to critical researchers and tech wizards, our team brings together the best minds and skillsets to focus on you.
PARTNERS
Let us introduce you to a few of our closest friends. Our Partners make it even easier to deepen insight and integrate Industry Intelligence directly into the tools your team already uses today.
NEWS
The world is changing fast. Watch as Vertical IQ stays on top of the industry shifts that matter most and delivers innovative solutions made for forward-thinking sales professionals focused on winning today and well into the future.
CAREERS
We’re always on the look-out for people passionate about sales -- and helping others. While we’re absolutely committed to our customers’ success, we prioritize our people first. Find out what it takes to join the diverse, flexible, and growing team at Vertical IQ.
CONTACT US
We can’t wait to hear from you! Contact us directly to find out how you can grow your business and create long-term loyal customers with Vertical IQ.
Contact Us
Get In Touch With Vertical IQ
Do you have a question about Vertical IQ? Would you like to share a comment with us? If so, please submit the form to connect with a member of our team.
If you’d like to see Vertical IQ in action, you can schedule a meeting here.
919 787 4600
info@verticaliq.com
601 Saint Mary’s Street Raleigh, NC 27605
Team
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: Billy Strings
Favorite Food: Steamed Oysters
Caffeine Fix: Mountain Dew
“Livin’ the dream”
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”
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”
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.”
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”
Full Team
PAUL HOCK
VP, Sales & Strategic Partnerships
Favorite Food: Homemade Lasagna
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
ALEX ROUSSEAU
Senior Account Executive
Favorite Coffee Order: Espresso
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
Favorite Sports Team: UCLA Bruins
“If you tell the truth, you wont have to remember anything.” -Mark Twain
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
KELLI DUPREE
Account Executive
Favorite Activity: Boating and Beach trips
Favorite Music: Morgan Wallen
Caffeine Fix: Vanilla Latte
“When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.”
COLE TEAL
Account Executive
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
JACOB DOUGHERTY
Sales Development Representative
Favorite Non-work Activity: Playing golf or spending time with my wife
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Favorite Sports Team: Minnesota Vikings
“Spread Love.”
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
RUTH KEYES
Senior Customer Success Manager
Favorite Music Artist: Kenny Chesney
Favorite Movie: Father of the Bride
Favorite Book: Anna Karenina
“Be kind.”
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
ALEXIS CORTEZ
Customer Success Manager
Caffeine Fix: Vanilla Latte with Oat Milk
Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite Movie: 13 going on 30
“Creativity takes courage.” -Henri Matisse
ANNA MCDONALD
Customer Advocacy Manager
Favorite Non-work Activity: Hanging out with my golden retriever, Willa
Caffeine Fix: Ice Vanilla Latte with Almond Milk
Favorite Sports Team: NC State. Go Pack!!
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington
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
BRIN SULLIVAN
Integrated Marketing Manager
Favorite Musical Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
Favorite Sports Team: The Pittsburgh Steelers
“Live and let live.”
JESSICA TEAL
Marketing Manager, Sales Enablement
Favorite Book: The Overnight Guest
Favorite Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios
Best Non-Work Activity: Weekend trips, especially to the mountains!
“Cole’s my Brother In-Law.↑”
SOPHIA GILBERT
Marketing Specialist
Favorite Movie: Julie & Julia
Caffeine Fix: Ice Matcha Latte with Oat Milk
Best Non-Work Activity: Weekend at the beach
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky
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.”
JAMES BRYANT
Research Analyst
Best Non-Work Activity: Woodworking
Favorite Musical Artist: ZZ Top
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
“Don’t Panic.”
LINNEA KIRGAN
Research Analyst
Favorite Sports Team: Boston Bruins
Favorite Movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Favorite Candle: Citrus, Vanilla
“All big things come from small beginnings.”
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.”
IAN WILDBLOOD
News Analyst
Favorite Band: Daft Punk
Favorite Cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Favorite Movie: The Big Lebowski
“Live in the present, prepare for the future, learn from the past.”
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
ZEKE HART
Full Stack Developer
Favorite Food: Dan dan mian
Favorite Cereal: Cinnamon Life
Favorite Book: “Ficciones” by Jorge Luis Borges
“One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities and to spawn new obligations.” – Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens
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
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
CHRISTY CLEMENT
Director of Human Resources
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Sports Team: Clemson Tigers
Favorite Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios
“This too shall pass.”
CAROLYN BEGGS
Controller & Director of Local Market Monitor
Best Non-Work Activity: Biking riding with my boys
Favorite Movie: Love Actually
Caffeine Fix: Iced Chai Tea Latte
“Believe in yourself, for you are capable of great things.” -Curious George
MOLLIE B. BURNHAM
Marketing & Operations Manager for CEO
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.”
MEET US IN PERSON
We'd love to meet you face-to-face. Check out our upcoming events and let us know if you will be attending as well!
Our Story
Putting People Before Technology
Something special came to life in 2010. Sitting in a Raleigh, NC coffee shop, start-up whiz Bobby Martin, senior banking consultant Nick Miller, and tech solutions expert Bill Walker started doodling on napkins. They wanted to create something different—a life-growth business that filled the gap between basic business data and traditional sales intelligence. They believed they could solve serious sales challenges while creating a unique business culture that prioritizes people over technology.
Susan Bell soon joined the team and provided the vision for creating a unique approach to customer success. The customer became their focus. Instead of simply designing a better Industry Intelligence “mousetrap” and telling sales professionals to use it, the team would hit the road first to ASK them what they wanted and needed.
We Listened, and We Learned
During those road trips in 2010, we learned that the sales tools and information sales pros currently had weren’t working. They didn’t need more content — they wanted better content. Today’s sales professionals need actionable, convenient, and focused Industry Intelligence with the right types of detailed analysis and financial specifics to win, grow, and retain more business.
So we built a brand new platform to solve these issues — and we scrapped it. Why? Because it was wrong. While it addressed some of the key challenges our future customers faced, it still wasn’t comprehensive enough (or easy enough to use) to meet our standards. Regardless of time and cost, we knew we had to do it right. So, we started from scratch, engineering an easy-to-use and unmatched Industry Intelligence platform and officially launching Vertical IQ in 2011 with an array of advanced sales tools that leading businesses and sales professionals rely on today.
Getting to Know You
That’s where you come in. We know you have unique problems to solve. We understand that those working in Accounting, Banking, Insurance, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Technology, and Consultants need highly specific data and strategic insight. We also know everyone needs a little extra support sometimes. And here’s what you should know about us: We’re fully invested in your success. We started out listening, and we continue to do so. We want your feedback, and you’ll see our solutions and services shift to serve you better as we move forward together.
Doing the Right Thing
We’ve built a powerhouse team since our launch, pulling in proven business leaders like CPA and seasoned entrepreneur Ken Taylor as CFO, marketing pro David Buffaloe as president, and an array of incredible talent across research, analytics, technology, and customer success.
In keeping with our founders’ original intention to build a true life-growth business, we take great care of our people, infusing fun and flexibility into operations. Because our people are happy, they work hard to ensure our customers feel the same. And when our customers are happier, Vertical IQ expands, our team grows, and our solutions remain on the cutting edge.
We continue to put people before tech solutions, and our business priorities directly reflect this. We call them the 3Cs: Culture, Customers, and Company (in that order). That’s right: The company’s bottom line is actually the last on our list of priorities. Which is reflected in our actions, like sharing free industry-specific Current Condition updates with everyone who needs them at no cost.
Why? Because we care: about our team, our customers, and the world at large. It’s just who we are. It’s also why you’ll love working with Vertical IQ.