President

Judith Binder

RBSC Corporation, Research Group

RBSC Corporation delivers business intelligence and insights for strategy, competitive intelligence, marketing and product development. Prior to launching RBSC’s Research Group in 2002, Judith provided business information services to management consultants and research services in academic, corporate, legal and government settings. She has an MBA degree from Northwestern University and MSLS from Syracuse University.

Judith has been active in AIIP committees since joining in 2004, most recently as co-chair of the Industry Relations Committee. In addition to AIIP, Judith is a member of the Strategic & Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) and the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA).

Past President

Cindy Shamel

President, Shamel Information Services

Cindy is a consultant in strategic planning, change management, and knowledge services. Clients appreciate clear, actionable guidance that helps them overcome barriers and move their organizations forward. Shamel Information Services also delivers research services in support of government filings and biomedical product development. Cindy has co-authored three books and delivers professional development workshops for information professionals and other consultants.

Cindy has provided strategic guidance to a range of clients including professional associations and a performing arts non-profit. Within AIIP she has served in numerous positions, including President in 2003-2004, and most recently on the Conference Program Planning Committee. In 2006 she was recognized with the Sue Rugge Memorial Award for mentoring.

President Elect

Jennifer Pflaumer

paroo

Jennifer Pflaumer launched her information management consultancy, Paroo, in 2009 after realizing the need for concentrated information management solutions for businesses across all industries. Her expertise includes finding ways to better manage digital assets, creating information strategies, improving workflow processes, and performing systems analysis and design.

Through her practice, she has helped companies to purchase and refine their digital asset management systems, organize their files with dedicated taxonomies, and make content more findable on their websites. She earned her Master of Library and Information Science from UCLA, with a focus on human-computer interaction, digital media, and information architecture.

Jennifer joined AIIP in 2014 and has been involved as a volunteer on various projects and initiatives, including acting as web manager and professional development chair. Jennifer is also a member of the Special Libraries Association.

Secretary

Phyllis smith

ITK Vector Inc.

Phyllis joined AIIP in 1997 when she started In the Know Research and Information Consulting to provide customized, confidential research solutions to a specialized clientele. In 2013, In the Know was reinvented as ITK Vector Inc. to offer corporate writing, research, and strategic planning. Memories in Focus is the newest ITK Vector Inc. brand that provides personal photo management services and education to consumers who want to discover and protect their family stories.

Prior to joining the ranks of the self-employed, Phyllis was a research and reference librarian with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. While there, she earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Western Ontario. More recently, she was awarded a Master of Professional Communication degree from Royal Roads University.

Throughout the reinvention and renewal, AIIP has been there. Phyllis has contributed to various committees over the years and has been the editor of AIIP Connections since 2016.

Treasurer

beth plutchak

Beth Plutchak Consulting LLC

Beth Plutchak is an extroverted data geek who has been turning noise into actionable information for over twenty years. She works with private companies and economic development agencies to provide information that drives success. Her services include market and industry research and economic analysis. Her clients have included small to mid-size businesses and economic development agencies. 

She has served on the boards of various non-profit organizations including the Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Economic Development Council. As a member of AIIP Beth has been active in the finance committee and the sponsorship committee. She enjoys the professional development and camaraderie in AIIP.

Director, Professional Development

Cindy Romaine

Romainiacs Intelligent Research

Cindy Romaine is the principal of Romainiacs Intelligent Research, which focuses on driving business growth through competitive intelligence, information analysis and voice of the customer research. Romainiacs has been conducting win/loss analysis and customer research for the past 10 years, with multiple global clients in technology and information management.

Prior to this, Cindy worked at Nike for 16 years as the Director of the Design Library. She was the president of the Special Libraries Association in 2011 and was named an SLA Fellow in 2016.

Director, membership

George Puro

PUro Research Group

George Puro is President of the Puro Research Group, a market intelligence firm specializing in quick-turnaround insights and analysis. Mr. Puro has served as the trusted advisor and go-to resource for clients ranging from marketing managers and competitive intelligence professionals at Fortune 500 companies to strategists and planners at ad agencies and PR firms.  

George has previously served on AIIP’s Mentor Committee and has helped run two AIIP member surveys.

Director, Outreach

kirsten smith

Digital Smith

Digitalsmith.ca is a research company based on unceded Algonquin territory near Ottawa Ontario. It provides custom research, Access to Information (also called Freedom of Information), fact checking and script clearance research for media, legal and business clients.

After several decades as a news librarian for a national news service, Kirsten Smith was inspired (by a layoff notice) to go into business for herself. The first thing she did was join AIIP. Prior to joining the board, Kirsten volunteered with the Exhibiting committee.