​​​​​Mike Sassman

Manager, mike.sassman@nreca.coop, 800-747-3786
Mike joined the NRECA team in March 2014. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods and computer industries. He is an experienced business analytics manager with demonstrated success in trade promotion planning & analysis, price planning & analysis, product marketing and demand planning. Mike has been an avid user of market research during his career and is experienced at building research driven business plans. Prior to joining NRECA, he held positions with Wells Enterprises and Gateway Computers. Mike holds a BS of Statistics with a Minor in Sociology from Iowa State University.

Jane Sanstead

Sr. Research Analyst, jane.sanstead@nreca.coop, 800-747-3786
Jane has been working as a lead analyst for NRECA Market Research for over 10 years. She specializes in converting data into insights while analyzing survey data on behalf of our member co-ops as well as data-intense projects for NRECA. She has experience writing database queries, providing business users with customized ongoing and ad-hoc reports. In addition to her quantitative research skills, Jane is trained in qualitative research with experience moderating focus groups and conducting in-depth interviews. Jane holds a BA in Business Administration from Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD).​

Data Collection Team, 800-747-​3786​

Our data collection team has many years of experience in data collection and research process support. The support staff boasts more than 50 years of combined experience conducting cooperative research, working with various data collection methods (telephone, mail, online, in-person). They have developed a strong understanding of best practices in contacting residential and business members as well as co-op employees and directors.

Experienced Co-op Interviewers
For most consumers life is busy and hectic; we work hard to ensure their survey interview experience is a positive one for them and a favorable reflection on the co-op. The response rates we achieve at NRECA Market Research Services are generally much higher than the industry average. We attribute this to our interviewers, many of whom are from rural areas and are served by co-ops themselves. We also use the assistance of interviewers at the Cooperative Response Center (CRC). This is an organization that we continually use as an extension of our own interviewing capabilities. They have taken part in the data collection for many of our residential member surveys. Their interviewers are highly qualified, well-educated, and thoroughly trained, and most important, are skilled at working with co-op consumers. They will handle your members with the same level of care that you would.