Our People

Ruth Nelsonis considered an industry founder, having begun her career in market research in the early 1960’s. Throughout her 47+ years in the business, she has been active in MRA most of her career. Ruth served as MRA National President in 1975-76, and has sat on numerous committees since then. In 1996 she received the Distinguished Service Award, to be followed by MRA’s most prestigious award, the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award.

Ruth is the President and founder of Ruth Nelson Research Services, and currently oversees all projects in her Denver and Phoenix office locations.

Cristy Reidis currently a Vice-President at Colorado Market Research Services, a division of Ruth Nelson Research Services. In the business for 28 years, she began her career by establishing a HR division, was a Project Manager for 8 mall offices, handled lease negotiations for those properties, and headed up the strategic planning function for the company. She currently coordinates client services for qualitative projects in the Denver office, oversees all HR functions for Denver & Phoenix, and handles accounting, marketing and strategic planning.

MRA Experience: Cristy has served on the Southwest Chapter of the Board of Directors since 2002, where she has held the positions of Director at Large, President and Advisor. She received the “Shining Star” Award from MRA in 2005, and in 2007 received her PRC certification.

Kathy Berghas been in the business for over 30 years, all of them at Colorado Market Research Services. She began working full-time in 1975 as a Field Supervisor, and when mall intercept methodology became entrenched she managed a large mall office in Aurora, Colorado. By 1978 she was the Director of Operations for all CMRS malls.

Kathy transferred to the corporate office in 1980, learning the nuts and bolts of accounting / finance, and has been the CFO since 1989.