Rapid Insight | data driven decisions

Welcome to Rapid Insight!

Rapid Insight Inc. was founded in April of 2002 and is based in Conway, New Hampshire. A leading provider of business intelligence software and solutions, we have clients and partnerships with organizations throughout the United States.

Meet Some of the Rapid Insight Team

Michael Laracy

CEO

Mike received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Finance from Catholic University and his Master's in Economics from Rutgers University. He started his career as an econometric analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia where he worked directly under the Director of Economic Research providing statistical research and preparing economic forecasts. After leaving the Bank, Mike worked for MCI, in their database intelligence group. There he began to use the experience that he gained at the Federal Reserve to apply statistical techniques to predict customer and prospect behavior. Next Mike was hired as a Senior Consultant at NCR/Teradata. Working in their data warehousing group, he headed analytic projects for customers in multiple countries. Mike then went on to become an independent consultant, working with clients across United States, South America and Europe to make full use of their data for analytic decision making. In April of 2002, Mike founded Rapid Insight Inc.

Ric Pratte

President and COO

As a long time entrepreneur, Ric brings a history of building innovative software companies. He feels success comes from creating great customer value propositions and developing a strong and rewarding company culture. Previously Ric was CEO/Co-founder of JitterJam, a pioneer of Social CRM (social media customer relationship management) that was acquired by the Meltwater Group in 2011. Ric was also CEO/Co-founder of Campagne Associates, a leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions to help non-profit organizations increase their fundraising activities. Blackbaud, Inc. acquired Campagne in 2006. Ric, a father of two and an avid skier and backpacker, devotes time and energy to numerous non-profit organizations, including Girls, Inc., the Boy Scouts. Ric earned his B.S. from Southern New Hampshire University in Management Information Systems and Accounting.

Scott Steesy

Chief Software Architect

Scott began writing computer programs in '79 just before the birth of personal computing. Over a number of years the challenges of programming grew into a passion. He began his career as a systems analyst and programmer with Xerox in '87. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Rochester Institute of Technology in '90 and worked at Software Sense Systems, Inc. developing new software systems for the utilities and chemical industries. Over the next eight years he continued training and became SSSI's chief software architect. In '98 he moved to Massachusetts to begin his MS and took a job at Electronic Retailing Systems, Inc. as a project architect. He completed his Master of Science in Computer Engineering degree at University of Massachusetts at Amherst in '01. Scott began working for Rapid Insight® in '03 to use his in depth knowledge of computer systems and software design to evaluate new technologies, design the software architectures, and guide the development of RI's software applications.

Sheryl B. Kovalik

Director of Sales & Business Development - Higher Education

Since her graduation from Middlebury in 1977, Sheryl has been involved in sales and marketing of technology products from the first generation of deregulated telecommunications thru the boom and proliferation of the PC and on to the sophisticated networks and software solutions that comprise today's world. She has successfully managed territory sales, national accounts, product specific marketing campaigns – consistently exceeding sales objectives. Her past employers include: ROLM Corporation, IBM Corporation and Cleversoft, Inc.. In addition to her professional duties, she has chosen to lend her expertise to a variety of non-profit ventures ranging from economic development of the Mount Washington Valley to serving as Chairperson on the local school Board. She was thrilled to join Rapid Insight® in 2008, following a brief hiatus to focus on her children. Her knowledge of sales techniques and strategies and her excitement about Rapid Insight's solutions and future have accelerated their success and expansion into new markets.

Jeff Fleischer

Director of Client Operations

Jeff graduated with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida long before the halcyon days of Tim Tebow. He worked for ten years at Cape Canaveral as a civilian contractor for Computer Science Corp. & Raytheon, designing and installing electronic equipment in support of a wide range of rocket and missile programs, including the Space Shuttle. In 1995 he, his wife and two sons moved to New Hampshire to be closer to family and to start a Montessori pre-school. While his wife continues to manage the school, Jeff"s been employed in a variety of capacities: as the Customer Service Manager of a local ISP, as Senior Programmer for a business consulting firm and as Project Manager for The Echo Group, a behavioral healthcare software provider. He joined Rapid Insight® in 2009 as a Data Analyst, applying the breadth of his experience to address the needs of customers on both the service and product development sides of the house.

Steven Matthews

Software Engineer

A New Hampshire native, Steven graduated in 2007 from Franklin Pierce University with a bachelor's degree in computer science. Prior to earning his bachelor's degree, he completed an associate's degree from the NH Community Technical College. Hired in 2008 Steven brings a fresh knowledge of Java, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, SQL to Rapid Insight®.

Caitlin Garrett

Statistical Analyst

Caitlin has loved math since she could count. She pursued this love through algebra, calculus, and advanced analysis all the way to a degree in Statistics from Loyola University of Chicago in 2010, where she also earned a degree in English. (After all, what good is a background in statistics if you can't explain what you've learned?) After graduating she moved back to the Mount Washington Valley and has enjoyed life here since. She joined the Rapid Insight analytic team in 2011 and is excited to combine her statistical knowledge with the Rapid Insight Software to further the company's success.

Jon MacMillan

Data Analyst

Jon grew up in the Mt. Washington Valley. After earning a degree in Mathematics from St. Lawrence University in 2008, he moved out to Montana where he worked as a white-water raft guide before returning to the area. He’s been around ever since and loves it. He spends much of his free time hiking the trails in the White Mountain National Forest with his dog. He joined the Rapid Insight analytic team in 2012.

Sarah Saunders

Finance and Human Resources

Sarah graduated from Smith College in 1993 with a degree in Education and Sociology. After college she entered the world of technology working for a software company where she had to make cables, install new systems and train customers in the printing industry. Settling into working with customers she moved into the role of a Business Analyst specializing in revenue recognition for software companies. Working with fortune 1000 companies from around the country she has helped executives and employees better understand the complicated and ever changing world of revenue recognition and finance. When she wasn't working with revenue, Sarah found herself training and streamlining fulfillment systems for software companies as well. After taking a brief hiatus from the working world to focus on her growing family, Sarah joined Rapid Insight® in 2007.

John Paiva

Account Management Team

John is from Newport, R.I. and moved to Freedom, N.H. with his wife and daughter in 2000. After working as a Behavior Specialist, tracking data for a non-profit organization assisting clients with behavior issues, he spent fifteen years building and managing a variety of sales teams. He experienced first-hand the data explosion that occurred in the business world, and with it, the challenges and opportunities it presented. John saw the disconnect between data, and useful information up close. He became a member of the Rapid Insight team in September 2011, recognizing the need for quick, easy to use solutions that will make it easier to actually use data to drive decisions. He is looking forward to contributing to the company's continued success and thinks the outlook is "excellent".

Tricia Mills

Account Management Team

Tricia graduated from the University of Illinois in 1986 with a degree in Biology and worked for many years with the Illinois Department of Transportation as an Environmental Biologist. There she coordinated field studies, wrote and reviewed Environmental Impact Statements, as well as worked with regulatory agencies. In 2003 her love of the outdoors and mountains beckoned her to return to the Mount Washington Valley to raise her family and begin a new career. She entered the software sales industry with excitement and a passion to help companies, large and small, address their needs for quality and intuitive tools to make their jobs easier and more productive. Tricia joined Rapid Insight in 2012 and is excited about the future of working with an outstanding software tool, great customers, and an awesome team. Together we can take Rapid Insight to the next level. We are pleased to have Tricia and her energy on board.

Christopher Major

Sales Team

Chris moved to the Mount Washington Valley after graduating from Curry College in 1986, with a B.A. in Business Management and minor in marketing. Since that time he has been busy carving out a career in corporate sales and marketing. Starting out as the Marketing / Sales Director for Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, his next step was to run and manage all aspects of a resort television station, where he managed a sales force. At the Glen Group Inc., he handled inside sales and business development. This led him to the position of Publisher at Fly Fish America Magazine, the second largest circulation fly-fishing publication in the world, where he was responsible for all of the revenue on both the print and online sides of the business. He joined the Rapid Insight® sales team in 2010 and looks forward to the challenges presented in the growing technology industry.

Board of Directors

George Epstein – Chairman of the Echo Group
Bengt Karlsson – Founder of Abaqus Inc., which was acquired by Dassault Systems
Jac Cuddy – Executive Director of the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council
Mike Laracy – President and CEO of Rapid Insight Inc.