AutoPacific-Staff

Mr. Peterson leads AutoPacific with more than thirty years experience in the automotive industry. He served in product design engineering, product planning and marketing positions at Ford Motor Company.  During 1982, Mr. Peterson joined Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. as Corporate Truck Product Development Manager.  From 1983 through 1985, Mr. Peterson was Vice President of Automotive Programs for J. D. Power & Associates. 

He formed AutoPacific 1986 to provide primary research and consulting services to the automotive industry. Mr. Peterson has an engineering undergraduate degree from Florida State University and an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Michigan. 

Ed Kim, Director, Industry Analysis:

Mr. Kim is an experienced automotive industry expert.  After starting his career with Hertz Corporation, he served seven years at AutoPacific as product analyst, and later as Product Analysis Manager, specializing in market research and consulting projects relating to future automotive products.  Mr. Kim is also a journalist writing for various automotive publications.  

In 2004, Mr. Kim joined Hyundai Motor America as Manager, Advanced Product Development and Strategy. In this role, he used expertise in social trending to increase company focus on future consumer needs-based product concept development. His broad understanding for automotive design, architecture, and ideation led to groundbreaking cross-functional work with Hyundai’s design, engineering, and marketing areas, resulting in numerous advanced and brand-extending vehicle programs. Mr. Kim holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside.

Mr. Hall is a 25-year veteran in sales and marketing. Mr. Hall drives value to AutoPacific clients by combining robust market research techniques, AutoPacific’s industry experience and client objectives. Mr. Hall has designed numerous custom research projects and plays a key role in incorporating client objectives into AutoPacific’s annual Research Suite® syndicated study.

At Compete, prior to joining AutoPacific, Hall helped marketers harness the power of consumer clickstream data to make more effective marketing decisions. At Racemark International, he focused on the development and marketing of automotive accessories for line, port and dealer installations. While at Racemark, Mr. Hall created the concept for an innovative accessory line patented by Racemark and currently in use by BMW, Porsche and MINI. Mr. Hall is a regular guest lecturer at Art Center’s transportation school in Pasadena, CA. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Dave Sullivan, Senior Manager, Product Analysis:

Deborah L. Grieb, Account Manager:

Mrs. Grieb is a highly experienced consumer research professional for the automotive industry. Since 1997, she has designed and advised on numerous consumer research projects and conducted consumer and vehicle analyses.

Prior to joining AutoPacific, Mrs. Grieb served as Senior Marketing Specialist for Magna International’s Interiors and Exteriors Division. While at Magna, Mrs. Grieb played a key role in introducing market research and analysis to support company strategic goals, advanced technology development, and increased business.  While in this role, she drove an increased focus on voice of the consumer to strategically align products and technologies with targeted programs. Mrs. Grieb began her automotive-focused career as a contract Product Specialist for automotive special events, including auto shows, ride and drives and dealer training activities. She graduated from Alma College with a B.A. in English. 

Carol Runkle, US Sales Forecast Service:

Ms. Runkle has been with AutoPacific for 10 years managing the AutoPacific Sales Forecast Service activity. A self-confessed news junkie, she is always on the hunt for anything political, industrial or economical that could impact automotive sales. Ms. Runkle has been surrounded by the automotive industry since birth. She experienced the heyday of the industry as the child of Chevrolet’s Chief Designer responsible for the fabled 50s and early 60s Chevys. This was followed by a move to Germany and graduation from General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany during the period that the Opel GT was developed. As a result, Ms. Runkle has partnered on speeches and visuals for Classic Car presentations celebrating that time period. Ms. Runkle earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Michigan.

Keagan Patrick, Research Analyst/Project Manager:

Mr. Patrick has more than 15 years experience in automotive restorations working with dealerships, distributors, aftermarket parts suppliers (including OEM and NOS) and SEMA members. He has been with AutoPacific since 2006 and has authored product consultancies and managed numerous automotive projects.

Mr. Patrick is an experienced analyst, blogger (new vehicle introductions/road tests), and focus group moderator. Special emphasis on project management and mechanical automotive expertise.  He earned a B.A. in Communications from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Mary Beth Martin, Project Manager:

Ms. Martin has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry and over 25 years experience in market research.  Ms. Martin worked for Isuzu Technical Center of America as a product analyst for their future automotive products.  She has been with AutoPacific since 1992 and has authored numerous product consultancies, including AutoPacific’s Gen Y Consultancy. 

Ms. Martin is an experienced research designer, leader, analyst, and focus group moderator. Internet research studies are a special emphasis.  Ms. Martin has undergraduate degree in Business from Western Illinois University and a MBA in Marketing from Bradley University (Peoria, IL).