Professional Staff

Sara Killeen

Sara Killeen

President and Founder

Backed by nearly two decades of experience in marketing for major brands and a background in consumer research, Sara is the architect of research-based marketing strategies for all Longitudes Group clients. She started Longitudes Group with a goal to build the most comprehensive facility supply and consumer demand database in the country, resulting in high-impact, individualized marketing strategies for clients. From its beginnings in the golf industry, Longitudes Group’ research and marketing expertise has broadened to include the Travel, Health & Fitness, Medical industries and beyond.

Sara’s experience with Foot-Joy, Nike Golf and Nike Women’s Fitness include team leadership in product line management, marketing research and in traditional marketing positions. She helped develop original positioning for a number of key product lines both in golf and women’s fitness, driving business success through keen consumer insights. A frequent guest speaker in the golf and sports industry and a leader of marketing and travel seminars, Sara was a three-time NCAA Academic All-American golfer at Oklahoma State University and earned her MBA from University of Washington. She lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband and two children.

Eric Hardy

Eric Hardy

Director of Research

As a professional geographer, Eric takes an innovative approach to research that drives deeper understanding and impactful business solutions for Longitudes Group clients. He has conducted market analysis, site location studies, sales force productivity research and travel market studies for an impressive list of golf equipment brands, resort destinations and other companies interested in utilizing golf as a marketing vehicle. Through the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Eric is able to analyze business and participation trends and spatially identify strengths and weaknesses in businesses both in and out of sports.

Eric has extensive experience advising the golf industry on supply and demand, including evaluating and creating sales territories, drawing golfers to resorts, site analysis for pro tournaments, courses and retailers, and administering primary research surveys at numerous golf facilities and events. He also has participated in research for many other industries both in and out of sports.  Eric earned his B.A. in Business/Marketing and his M.S. in Geography from Oklahoma State University and now lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.,  with his wife and two children.

Linda Pierson

Linda Pierson

Database Research Manager

Linda manages the Longitudes Group call center and a team of sports retail researchers who focus on the collection, synthesis and timely gathering of high quality data. Through annual contact with tens of thousands of golf courses, health clubs and sports specialty retailers, Linda’s team maintains and manages data reflecting the ever-changing sports marketplace. A former professional golfer and coach, Linda founded and co-owned Distinctive Concepts, an imprinted sportswear business featured at travel and vacation destinations. Her background in sports, travel, retail, and national distribution makes her ideal for her duties with Longitudes Group.

Jason Trabert

Jason Trabert

Research Analyst

With expertise in research and geography, Jason specializes in site analysis, consumer and trade research studies, recreation supply and demand modeling. Jason has empowering knowledge over the golf market as he analyzes the price point share of golf retail.  Within the last year, Jason has developed an extensive look into the hunting and fishing industry with the production of a multi-variant database on both hunting and fishing participation rates.  A graduate of University of Nebraska-Omaha who started with Longitudes Group in 2007, Jason brings versatility and keen insight to the many projects he takes on.

Patty Vasquez Killeen

Patty Vasquez

Research Contractor

Patty is a resident of New Mexico and has been a research contractor with Longitudes Group since 2004. Her primary role is to contact golf facilities and retailers in order to collect the most up-to-date market information for Longitudes Group's various golf databases utilized by our golf clients. Patty is bilingual and has a Masters from the University of Kansas in Spanish.  As a passionate golfer, she keeps her new clubs in the trunk of her car for occasional improvements.