Welcome to Rapid Insight!
Rapid Insight Inc. was found 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
President and CEO
Mike received his bachelors degree in Economics and Finance from Catholic University and his masters 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.
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.
Frank Guerriero
Director of Marketing
Frank brings more than 15 years of product branding experience to Rapid Insight, developing and executing corporate and brand-specific marketing plans, global product launch strategies, and communications activity. Frank has provided strategic and creative direction for fortune 500 business's spanning technologies, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. A sample of past clients include; British Gas, Advantica Software, Hershey Foods, Ford Motor Company, and HealthAmerica. A graduate of Penn State, Frank holds a bachelors degree in business and english, with a focus on marketing, strategic planning, economics and english composition. A recipient of multiple Addy Awards for creative advertising, Frank specializes in translating market research into solid, actionable business strategies - defining brand position and identity, while driving brand equity, loyalty and profitability.
Jeff Fleischer
Data Analyst
Jeff graduated with a bachelor's degree 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 breath of his experience to address the needs of customers on both the service and product development sides of the house.
Sheryl B. Kovalik
Sales Team
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.
Julie Crawford
Sales Team
Ever since she was a small child, talking was one of Julie's strong suits. She has used this skill to negotiate the various journeys in her life with great success. After graduating with a graduate degree in Physical Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, Julie spent over 15 years in direct patient care in a variety of settings - from pediatrics to geriatrics. "The best part of my job," she says "was getting to know really great people - my patients." Taking a leap of faith in 2006, Julie transitioned smoothly to software sales (which are, at its heart, just another place to get to know people) at Rapid Insight due entirely to her complete belief in the transformative nature of the Rapid Insight tools, and her desire to try something new. Julie was one of the first 5 employees to join Rapid Insight, and she intends to be here for a long, long time.
Christopher Major
Sales Team
Chris moved to the Mount Washington Valley after graduating from Curry Collage 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 Rapid Insight's sales team in 2010 and looks forward to the challenges presented in the growing technology industry.
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.
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.
Ed Stevens
Higher Education Consultant
Ed Stevens has spent most of his career in higher education, and in a variety of roles. He received his bachelors degree from Davidson College (NC), his masters from Harvard (MA) and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt (TN). He has held a variety of administrative positions, including Director of Institutional Research, Director of Information Services and Technology, Vice President and Academic Dean, Director of Sponsored Research, Director of Planning, and President. He has been an ACE Fellow and served as a consultant, speaker, and author of professional papers. He has also served as a full-time faculty member in psychology and as Professor of Information Systems.
On the IT side, Ed has written extensions for an institutional database (AIMS, a Datatel Colleague-like system) and authored statistics software adopted by over 65 colleges and universities. He has also served as Vice President of a private software company and sold, modified, and maintained manufacturing IT systems. Ed and his wife Susan (also an IT person) love living in New Hampshire with its skiing, fabulous vistas, antiques, and proximity to their daughter and her family in Connecticut.
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.
