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NORC at the University of Chicago Announces Senior Staff Promotions and Formation of New Business Unit

Press Release

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2014 — NORC at the University of Chicago has announced changes in its leadership team, including a set of senior staff promotions and the formation of a new unit designed to identify and develop new business opportunities.

“As NORC has grown and the range of work we do becomes more diverse and encompasses an increasing range of capabilities, it is important to ensure that our leadership team represents the full range of experience within the organization,” said Dan Gaylin, CEO of NORC.

Three current members of the NORC senior staff have been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of Research and each will serve on NORC’s Executive Council, emphasizing the importance of its research programs to the organization. “NORC is committed to being a research leader, and research remains the core of our business and our future,” said Gaylin.

  • Chet Bowie, promoted to the position Executive Vice President of Research, will continue to lead NORC’s efforts in Economics, Labor and Population Studies and its developing work in the security, energy, and environment domains. Bowie will serve as the executive sponsor of the NORC Data Enclave, and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
  • Michael Davern, promoted to the position Executive Vice President of Research, will oversee the growth and integration of NORC’s health-related research, and will work with NORC leaders in Health Care Research and Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice Studies to chart the future of these critical areas of inquiry.
  • Jeffrey Telgarsky, promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of Research, will lead NORC’s international expansion across all its domains of interest. He will serve as executive sponsor of NORC’s Academic Research Centers and the Education and Child Development Studies department.

NORC announced the formation of a new business unit dedicated to revenue diversification and innovation. “We must have a robust program of research and development that invigorates our ability to innovate across all our areas of endeavor and benefit from that innovation in our business,” said Gaylin. Two current NORC executives will lead the new unit, which will work with the entire NORC leadership team to help chart the organization’s future.

  • Missy Koppelman, named to the position of Executive Vice President of Business Ventures and Innovation, will work with the NORC leadership team to identify and act upon new opportunities in the commercial and philanthropic sectors and via strategic partnerships. 
  • Angela DeBello, promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Business Development, will work closely with research department heads to identify and support business development opportunities. 

“Technology, including all our IT systems and infrastructure, will play an increasingly critical role in the future of NORC and society more generally,” said Gaylin, adding that NORC’s data collection operations are a key driver of technology and process innovation. To lead this work:

  • Ron Jurek has been promoted to the position of Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations. He will continue to oversee the day-to-day work of the Information Technology Department and serve as executive sponsor of our telephone and field data collection operations.

NORC will continue to expand its capacity in both internal and external communications.

  • Greg Lanier has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications, leading NORC’s work across media, policy, dissemination, and corporate communications and creative services.

In his message to the NORC staff announcing the promotions and the formation of the new Executive Council, Gaylin said the changes advance the organization’s strategic plan and are part of the effort to translate the plan into actions and tactical priorities.

"Technology, including all our IT systems and infrastructure, will play an increasingly critical role in the future of NORC and society more generally."

President & CEO

"Technology, including all our IT systems and infrastructure, will play an increasingly critical role in the future of NORC and society more generally."

About NORC at the University of Chicago

NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society.

www.norc.org

Contact: For more information, please contact Eric Young at NORC at young-eric@norc.org or (703) 217-6814 (cell).