Our Account Team

Jim Ittenbach began his career in 1972, as a Project Director for Herron Associates. He ended his ten-year tenure as the Executive VP and Director of Research Services. Next, Jim took a position with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as their Director of Development. Working with 187 parish coordinators and over 900 volunteers, Jim coordinated an Annual $2MM giving program as well as individual parish stewardship training programs. Yet, his entrepreneurial spirit won over and he launched Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc. (SMARI) in 1983, a research consulting firm. 

Five years later, SMARI was acquired by the Associated Insurance Company – the parent company for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.  He served as a corporate officer of the acquired independent company for the next nine years. At this point, the entrepreneurial spirit again won over and he led a successful LBO which enabled SMARI to again become self-directed and to expand the scope and nature of their service offerings to support a growing multi-national client base.

Jim’s breadth of experience serves as SMARI’s cornerstone and guidance as the company continues to specialize in custom designed primary research. 

BS in Marketing:  Ball State University  |  MBA: Ball State University

Past President: Ball State University Miller College of Business Advisory Board, Central Indiana American Marketing Association, Riviera Club, St. Simon Parish Council

Past Executive Leadership and Board Positions: Market Research Board of United Way of Central Indiana, QRCA, AMA, Indiana Associations of Hospices, St. Vincent Stress Center Indianapolis, Ball State Miller College of Business, Ball State University Alumni Association, Indiana Wind Symphony

A business degree wasn’t on Katie’s mind until she tried virtually every field of science, only to realize a lab was not where she was destined to spend her time. However, the quest for understanding, the art of discovery, and the continuous need to test the limit of innovation married the two industries well.  Now, seven years after she began her journey with SMARI, Katie is a versatile executive with a unique and wide-ranging skill set that enables her to always produce for the client.   

What motivates Katie?  Working with clients to determine what new methodology or unique approach to research can be implemented to find that one aha moment.

A team player who always goes “above and beyond” to get the job done, Katie takes on roles outside of her normal job duties and often provides insight and lends expertise to other departments. On her own time, Katie enjoys being active by doing yoga, running and riding her horses, Peyton and Red.

BS in Management & Marketing, Purdue University  |  MBA, Ball State University 

 He is distinguished by his passion for business, his focus on collaborative team-building, and his commitment to meeting customer and market demands.  Mike’s positive can-do attitude instills him and his team members with extraordinary energy and dedication in an environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged.   

Mike grew up in central Indiana and the common thread between Mike’s childhood days and his professional career is his belief in orchestrated organization. Outside of the professional world, he enjoys a good cinematic experience almost as much as he does cheering on his Indianapolis Colts and Kansas Jayhawks. On the active side of life, Mike enjoys golf, basketball, being on the water, and a fierce game of bocce ball.

Masters in Applied Sociology  |  MBA,  Organizational Leadership

RJ’s experience in both qualitative and quantitative market research is far-reaching. He is an insights guru working with consumers, top-tier pharmaceutical companies, regional and national nonprofit organizations, medical device and industrial manufacturers, along with many B2B clients.

He is creative-minded with a passion for developing unique and engaging research methodologies to better understand user behavior, needs and motivations.

“It’s such a high point when you find that amazing nugget of information that is so powerful for a business to use. I love thinking about methodology and survey design, how it all combines for data to tell a story.” She appreciates projects that blend or combine methodologies and then take the research even further into strategy consulting.

Lina enjoys good food, good wine, working in the garden, and reading a great book. Her specialty is boozy cupcakes, and a movie she could watch fifty times in a row – (the original) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!