RESEARCH TEAM

First and foremost, OTR Global™ embraces a highly ethical, journalistic approach to research. Our experienced investigative reporters have broad industry expertise and combine journalistic experience to do in-depth interviews, involve respondents in strategic dialogue and look for new ideas and sources of information.

To complement the interview process, we developed a field force of more than 90 “ground troops” in major U.S. and European metropolitan areas who supplement and enhance reporter research in most industries via site visits and other first-hand observation techniques.

Our senior research and editorial team brings a broad range of expertise and skill to the firm’s clients:

Jon GatesJon Gates is Director of Research and a founding Senior Editor at OTR Global. Jon developed OTR Global's industrial research team in 1995 and initiated the firm’s international expansion, covering capital equipment, manufacturing, logistics and crop genetics, among other industries. He later directed the OTR Global Enterprise Technology Group during the Internet boom. Previously, Jon worked for ten years at RCM Capital Management as a Heavy Industry senior reporter. He is also the published author of four nonfiction works based on historical research and international studies conducted while at College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.

Pascal Bénazet is the Senior Editor for European Retail, Media and Consumer Products, coordinating and managing research from a large network of international reporters. He joined OTR Global in December 2001, after three years of working in publishing in London. Pascal studied economics at the University of Nanterre (France) and received a master’s degree in international business at the University of Reading (United Kingdom).

Courtney Coles Evans is the Consumer, Restaurants & Specialty Retail Editor. Courtney has been with OTR Global since 2007. Prior to that, she worked in the investment banking group at Canaccord Adams and as a research analyst in the Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Group at Adams Harkness (which became Canaccord Adams).

Donna Crothers is the Consumer Products Editor and has worked with OTR Global since its inception in 1995. Prior to that, she covered consumer products at Grassroots Research at RCM Capital Management and worked at The Tampa Tribune as reporter, editor and bureau chief for five years. She hold a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. Donna currently oversees coverage of a variety of consumer products panels. She holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications.

Rachel DangermondRachel Dangermond is the Senior Editor for the Media team. Her media coverage ranges from online and emerging marketing technology to TV advertising, which she has covered since joining OTR Global in 2000. Rachel was also an investigative reporter at DresdnerRCM Capital Management reporting on a wide array of industries. Alongside media, she has covered consumer products, financials, heavy equipment, as well as retail. Rachel holds a bachelor¹s degree in English literature from the University of New Orleans as well as master¹s work at Mills College in Oakland, California.

Carin Davenport is a Consumer/Retail Proprietary Services Editor. She started with OTR Global in June 2001 and holds a B.S. in Communications from Carroll College.

Marie Gethins is Healthcare Medical Devices Senior Editor. She has been with OTR Global since 2000 and is based in Ireland. Throughout her career, she has researched, written and edited a diverse range of material on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices. Marie has BA degrees in English and Dramatic Art/Dance from the University of California, Berkeley and two postgraduate certificates in technical communication from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

John Harrington is an Enterprise Technology Editor and a veteran Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and IP network integrator who has been covering worldwide IP Networking for OTR Global since August 2001.

Lisa Heisey is the Healthcare Proprietary Services Editor. She joined OTR in 1996 as a senior reporter covering pharmaceuticals and services, and now serves as proprietary editor for the healthcare group. Prior to joining OTR, Lisa worked in healthcare marketing in the areas of national healthcare consulting and hospital-sponsored insurance products, and has worked extensively with numerous healthcare organizations throughout the United States as a specialist in the senior market. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Washington University.

Dimitri Kaczmarek is Director of Asian Research and has worked with OTR since 1997. Prior to OTR, he was based in Hong Kong and managed BusinessWeek’s Executive Programs in Asia and research, and was director of a management consulting company servicing multinational companies. Dimitri has a master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii, with an emphasis on China’s economy and legal system, a graduate certificate in China Studies from Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center for Chinese & American Studies, a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Asian studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Dimitri is fluent in Mandarin and accredited through the Taipei Language Institute.

Hartmut LeuschnerHartmut Leuschner is Head of Global Telecom Group and Director of European Research, as well as, Managing Director of OTR Global GmbH, OTR’s affiliated European research company. Hartmut oversees European input to OTR's global panel reports and about 60 Europe-specific reports a year for selected clients. Previously, he worked as a project manager for a public relations and marketing agency in Erlangen, and studied law at Friedrich-Alexander-University in Erlangen and farming at Agricultural College Forchheim. In 1994, he won the journalism award of the Bavarian counties for his weekly column at Nuernberger Nachrichten, one of Germany's large daily newspapers.

Nancy Piccin is a Senior Editor of Enterprise Technology. She joined OTR in 2000 after a 15-year career as a newspaper reporter and editor. During that time she won numerous awards for investigative reporting and beat coverage of business news, the banking industry and local politics and was recognized by the US Small Business Administration for her coverage of business lending issues. She is a co-founder of On Board Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps place women on corporate boards of directors, and is a past president and director of the Valley Press Club. She holds degrees in economics from Colby College and English/journalism from Westfield State College.

Howard Rothman is Senior Editor of Industrials which covers global heavy, power, farm and mining equipment, and domestic rail and truck shipping. Prior to joining OTR Global in 2003, he was a reporter and editor for a variety of newspapers and magazines and is the author of 10 books published in nine languages.

Lois Sakany is the Active Wear / Footwear Editor and has been reporting on footwear and activewear companies for OTR Global for over six years. She is a contributing editor for several publications whose focus is footwear and apparel.

Sara Stahl is the Senior Editor of Energy and Materials. Prior to joining OTR Global in 2006, Sara directed network operations in the telecommunications industry, performed marketing and fund-raising for nonprofit organizations, and led Outward Bound courses. She holds degrees in journalism and industrial engineering.

Stefan Szymanska is the Eastern Europe and European Cyclicals Senior Editor and has been working with OTR since 1999. Stefan has a background in software development and database architecture, having worked as a freelancer and consultant for multiple international companies. Early hands-on experience in derivatives and futures trading was followed by studies in banking and finance. Stefan is fluent in four languages and regularly speaks to sources in the United Kingdom, Benelux, Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Jason Tremble is the Healthcare Therapeutics Editor and has been with OTR since 2000. As an associate editor, Jason works closely with the entire healthcare team throughout the research process, from vetting ideas for coverage and questionnaire design to data analysis. Prior to joining OTR, Jason was an engineer with Invensys LLC, selling building automation equipment. Jason received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Gretchen Van Nuys is the Editor of OTR's Consumer Electronics group. Prior to joining OTR in 2001, she was involved in book publishing and also worked as a reporter for a major daily newspaper in the United States. She holds a degree in English from West Virginia University and did post-graduate work in book publishing and secondary education.

Ulli Wilser is OTR's Proprietary Enterprise Technology Editor. Ulli has been with OTR Global since 2004 covering markets for enterprise storage, software and current virtualization trends.

READ THIS © 2008 OTR Global LLC. All rights reserved. This transmission was produced for the exclusive use of OTR Global LLC (OTR), and may not be reproduced or relied upon, in whole or in part, without OTR's written consent. The information herein is not intended to be a complete analysis of every material fact respecting any company or industry discussed. OTR Global LLC is an investment advisor subsidiary of OTA Financial Group LP. OTA LLC is a registered broker dealer subsidiary of OTA Financial Group LP. The affiliated companies of the OTA Financial Group LP and/or its principals, employees, clients or researchers may have an interest in the securities of issuers discussed herein or in securities of other issuers in other industries.