Bill Fanning has been doing qualitative research since 1995. Initially he worked with Insights in Marketing in Chicago. In 1999, he went out on his own and started BF Communications. In addition to qualitative and facilitation, Bill also teaches marketing and communications courses at UC Berkeley.

Bill spent the earlier part of his career in the advertising agency business, first at Leo Burnett in Chicago, and then at FCB, Chiat/Day, and Livingston & Co. in San Francisco. Account experience includes Levi’s, Dial, Blue Shield, California Raisins, California Cooler, Golden Grain, and Pillsbury.

Since 1995, Bill has been an active member of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), a 1000 member professional group of independent qualitative researchers. Bill has been Chair of the Membership Committee since 2003.

He is originally from Chicago, and received a BS degree from University of Illinois and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Gretchen White has been doing field management for qualitative research firms since 1998. Before that she was at a research company managing both qualitative and quantitative projects, and she started out in the business working at a research facility as a project manager. Another Midwesterner, she hails originally from St. Louis and went to Columbia College.