Paula Pisarcik
Paula has worked with Beaird Group since 1999 and is a member of the leadership team. She is an experienced, results-oriented, problem solver with a good sense of organization and leadership. In addition to project management, Paula has provided clients with skilled analysis, and has a proven track-record in managing data and electronic information. Paula’s recent consulting projects include developing/implementing a service and commodity sales program for the National Accounts division of a Fortune 500 company, RFP development for the public sector and benefits administration and process improvement support for Corporate Human Resources. Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois.

Peg Meagher
Peggy has worked with Beaird Group team since 2000 and is a member of the leaership team. She is a results-driven professional with a strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills. Internally, Peggy is responsible for marketing and communications, maintaining client relationships, providing subject matter expertise and developing deliverables. Additionally, Peggy’s recent consulting engagements include multiple market research projects, serving as an on-demand consultant for responding to client RFP/RFQ, developing client sales presentations, managing several website renovations, and writing job descriptions. Peggy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of Minnesota (now known as Saint Mary’s University).

Gail Kelleher
Gail has worked with Beaird Group since the start of the business. As part of the key leadership team, she helped define and grow the Beaird Group into a viable consulting firm. Gail has managed and staffed many customer projects over the years. Working closely with our customer’s staff and management team Gail has helped train, stream line processes and identify and close revenue gaps. She has also worked closely with IT in implementing new systems and enhancing current systems to meet client’s changing business needs. Gail has extensive experience with managing individuals as well as groups of consultants. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing from Northern Illinois University.

Deb Kamykowski 
Deb has worked with the Beaird Group since 1997 and is a member of the management team. Internally, she takes a leading role in business development with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and to grow/manage key clients. Deb has excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to generate ideas and solve problems. Her recent consulting engagements include leading project teams to: conduct job analysis and create job descriptions for 150+ positions, design and implement a series of retail service delivery evaluations, conduct an in depth study of administrative positions for a large organization and reclassify all incumbents. Deb brings a depth of expertise in Human Resource management, particularly recruitment and interviewing with extensive exposure to marketing, advertising and retail environments. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business.

Marina Fry
Marina has worked with Beaird Group since 1997 and is a member of the leadership team. Throughout her time at Beaird Group, she has been utilizing her extensive experience in managing data and electronic information in support of our largest client, a Fortune 500 company.   She is currently leading a team that organizes, processes and validates complex data from multiple sources so that it can be uploaded directly into the client’s accounting systems. She also provides consulting support for system process improvements.  She is an experienced, results-oriented consultant with excellent communication and organizational skills.  Marina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois.  She has also completed course work in the MBA curriculum, including Accounting, Finance and Marketing, from Roosevelt University. 

Ken Evans, Managing Partner 
Ken Evans is Managing Partner for the Critical Path Strategies business unit with responsibility for the sales and marketing functions.  In addition, he leads for the company’s consulting practice designed to help the Chief Sales Officer develop an agenda to take the sales function to new levels of performance.  Ken joined Critical Path Strategies in 2001 and has since worked with more than 70 clients leading consulting and training engagements in large and small businesses.  His career in sales, sales management, and executive management provides a diverse view of a successful organization.  Ken was formerly president of SunSource Technology Services, a $250 million industrial distribution company, and also held executive level positions at IBM and Waste Management.  Ken earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and an MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.

Laura Coulter
Laura has worked with Beaird Group since 1998 and is a member of the leadership team. She is a results-oriented, problem solver with excellent communication and organizational skills. Internally Laura handles all Human Resources efforts which include recruiting, interviewing and on-boarding. Additionally, Laura’s recent consulting engagements include leading multiple market research projects, managing several phone calling campaigns to collect data, writing job descriptions and interim accounting support. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel Management from Eastern Illinois University.

Sue Shaner 
Sue Shaner is a senior consultant with extensive experience in sales strategy, sales consulting, sales training development, and planning and financial positions supporting sales and marketing organizations.  Sue’s strong analytical, communication, and project management skills allow her to quickly assimilate challenging client situations and to develop effective resolutions and implementation plans.  An expert in sales effectiveness consulting, Sue leads a wide range of strategic consulting projects at Critical Path Strategies, including both Chief Sales Officer Agenda Assessment and Sales Process Optimization engagements.  She also leverages her broad knowledge of best practice enterprise sales business models and sales training methodologies to customize CPS’ sales training programs, developing content, examples, and exercises that introduce and reinforce key processes and skills.  In addition to her work with the CPS team, Sue consults with the Beaird Group Executive Team in area of internal support services.  Sue received a Master of Business Administration in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an undergraduate degree in mathematics and economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Carrie Smolinski
Carrie has worked with Beaird Group team since 2010 and is a member of the leadership team. Carrie is excellent at managing day-to-day responsibilities and responding to operational crises while meeting over-reaching goals. She is a quick study and is able to adapt to new concepts and systems, particularly while handling statistical analysis of large amounts of data. Carrie has over 10 years of experience in the refining, petrochemicals, and environmental solutions industries. Prior to joining Beaird Group in 2010, Carrie held various positions within ExxonMobil, both in Research and Development in Paulsboro, NJ and in Production at the Joliet, IL Refinery. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Economics from the University of Delaware.

Nancy Ruprecht, Business Development Executive
Nancy directs the Sales and Marketing efforts for Beaird Group. She draws on over 20 years of experience in selling and managing consulting engagements for Fortune 500 clients. Nancy has worked as a sales executive for IBM and a mid-size consultancy. She has strong problem-solving skills as well as facilitation and communications expertise that help clients solve business-critical problems. Nancy also has experience helping clients align technology investments with business priorities. Nancy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Information Systems from Iowa State University.