STI Team Members

Synergos Means "Working Together"

Synergos Technologies Inc. is first and foremost about people — including our dedicated team members. Combined, our team brings extensive technical knowledge, GIS expertise, exceptional enthusiasm, and a client-centric attitude to work everyday.

In fact, Synergos is not just the name of our company — it's also a declaration of our mission statement, because Synergos literally means "working together." There is no more apt description of our approach to business. Not only does our team work together to bring our clients leading-edge data, but also we work one-on-one with our clients to ensure each company receives the maximum benefit from their investment in our products. Our internal and external team approach improves problem solving, product innovation, and client satisfaction.

Today the STI team is working on behalf of our clients to develop the next-generation of innovative data solutions and to expand our product offering into new territory. As always, we are focused on helping our clients elevate their market research to new levels of market insight, decision-making precision, and bottom-line profitability.

Meet the STI Team — Innovators. Solution Providers. Your Data Partners.

Robert Welch, President

At first glance the space shuttle and demographic data have little in common. But a closer examination will show the common denominator is sophisticated mathematical models that process vast amounts of raw data into actionable insight. Robert created the models for several sophisticated projects, including a defense system for TRW, a location model for one of the first cellular companies, and a risk-assessment model for Lockheed's space shuttle. In 1992, Robert transferred his unique ability to create mathematical models into the creation of powerful tools for consumer-focused businesses. In the late 1990s he applied his innovative mathematical modeling skills to the problem of estimating populations in markets across the U.S. In 2001, he launched STI: PopStats, today's leading demographic population data, which forever changed the way progressive businesses measure populations within their trade areas. As the President and lead developer at STI, Robert continues to develop breakthrough data products, such as STI: LandScape and STI: BlockPoint. In 1981, Robert received a BBA in marketing research from the University of Texas at El Paso and an MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Lesley Lane Woodring, Executive Vice President

All of Lesley's prior work experience came together in a powerful way in 2006 when she joined STI. In particular, Lesley brings three areas of expertise to her position at STI — sales of enterprise systems to retailers, sales of accounting software, and customer training. She gained a thorough understanding of the information needs of retail operations while selling enterprise-level systems to restaurants and grocery stores. She has also sold accounting systems, which afforded her a solid background in the significance of processing numbers, a critical skill in data analysis. Lesley has also held positions as a trainer of technology systems: through this experience she developed the ability to explain complex technical topics to clients in simple ways. Today all of Lesley's past experience provides an ideal foundation for helping a wide range of STI's clients determine which demographic data products will best meet their market research needs. She also actively contributes insight into the company's new product development, its sales strategy, and its marketing program. Lesley has a degree in communication from the University of Virginia.

Bill Korthals, Manager of Internal Brands

Prior to joining STI in August 2008, Bill's career included positions as a GIS Team Leader and GIS Analyst in state government and as a Senior GIS Specialist at a leading oil and gas information technology firm. While these are two diverse industries, his role had one primary common denominator: implementing new geographic information system (GIS) processes that improved performance. Among his many projects was managing, designing, and launching the conversion from one mapping platform to another. At STI, in his position as Manager of Internal Brands, Bill retains the same objective to develop projects that improve business performance for our customers, in particular, their access to robust data. He has a particular expertise in Web-based mapping applications, and is using these vital skills to explore new opportunities for our client base. "I am very enthusiastic about geospatial science. Everyday I am learning new techniques and looking for ways to implement cutting-edge technology in the geospatial industry." Bill earned a BS in GIS-Cartography and is currently working on an MA in Applied Geography from Texas State University.

Brian Poole, Manager of Business Development

Location selection is a recurring theme in Brian Poole's life — from his career to his place of residence. He has sold real estate on both coasts, including Atlanta and San Diego, and managed title insurance and real estate transactions in San Diego for nearly one decade. During his career, he has also worked in sales and marketing, most notably doing business analysis for Dun and Bradstreet and convention promotion in Austin and Dallas. Brian's next move was going to be to study urban planning; but then Synergos Technologies made him an offer he did not want to pass up — to manage business development on the East Coast. In August 2009, Brian moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to set up STI's East Coast office. As Manager of Business Development, he will work with new East Coast-based retailers. He will also actively pursue growing business sectors for STI, including healthcare and economic development. Brian's solid background in real estate and business analysis is a perfect combination for helping companies access population and demographic data that will help them better understand their markets and make smarter location-based business decisions. Brian has a degree in marketing.

Our team can help supply the building blocks that support your market research needs. What do you want to build today?

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