Our Team
MORE ABOUT PHILLIP DOWNS
Dr. Downs received his training in market research and opinion surveys while completing his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1976). Since then, Dr. Downs has taught market research at the College of William & Mary and at Florida State University. He has received many awards including:
- American Marketing Association Teaching Award
- The Florida and Tallahassee Societies of Association Executives (FSAE and TSAE) Member of the Year
- Southern Marketing Association’s Steven J. Shaw Award (Best Research Project)
- Market Research Track Award (Best Research Methodology)
- Florida State University Outstanding Teaching Award
- The Panhellenic Council Teaching Award
He is a retired Professor of Marketing at Florida State University and has over 35 articles published in research publications. He was selected by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as a faculty member for their Management Program.
As a founding partner of Downs & St. Germain Research, Dr. Downs has:
- Directed over 1,000 market research projects
- Published over a dozen market research articles in trade publications
- Presented over 600 presentations to corporate and non-profit clients
- Authored over 1,200 research reports
MORE ABOUT JOSEPH ST. GERMAIN
Joseph graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota – Duluth with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology (2002) and received his Master of Science (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Educational Psychology from Florida State University.
Joseph joined the firm in 2007, then called Kerr & Downs Research, and is now President/Partner. Throughout his tenure, Joseph has been involved with all stages of the research process. He specializes in moderating focus groups and multivariate statistical techniques, such as structural equation modeling and conjoint analysis, which take survey data and translate it into easy to understand models that predict attitudes and behavior.
Joseph is a former professor at Flagler College – Tallahassee campus, a member of Leadership Tallahassee – Class 32, and is the Marketing Director of the Tallahassee Chapter of the Mediocre Golf Association (MGA).
Outside of the office, Joseph loves to golf, is a classically trained gamer, and you can occasionally hear him discussing fantasy football on the air. Joseph resides with his wife, Shanna, and two pets, Jimmer and Kemba.
MORE ABOUT ERIN DINKEL
Erin is the Director of Research at Downs & St. Germain Research, where she leads the firm’s research operations and ensures projects deliver actionable insights for clients. She joined the team with a strong background in Tourism, Recreation & Event Management and Economics.
Prior to DSG, Erin worked as an Event Manager with the University of Florida, collaborating with numerous stakeholders and destinations to facilitate academic conferences and events. At DSG, she oversees data collection across multiple destinations, maintains high data quality standards, and develops client reports with clear, strategic recommendations. She also serves as a primary client contact and is a frequent presenter on behalf of client research initiatives.
Erin holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Tourism, Recreation & Sports Management and Economics from the University of Florida.
Outside of the office, Erin looks for new and authentic experiences, whether local or while traveling. She seeks out the best cuisine in every destination and vows never to return home without a full stomach and a good story.
MORE ABOUT ISIAH LEWIS
Born in Boston and raised in Tampa, Isiah moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, where he earned his degree in Marketing before joining the Downs & St. Germain Research team. As Director of Client Relations, Isiah leads DSG’s marketing and business development efforts, serving as the first point of contact for many of our partners.
In this role, he manages conference calendars, represents DSG at industry events, and frequently presents on research findings and tourism trends. Isiah also works closely with prospective clients, guiding them through proposals and RFPs to ensure that DSG’s approach is tailored to their unique goals. For existing clients, he ensures that needs are not only met but exceeded, maintaining strong relationships and delivering research that drives strategic decision-making.
When he’s not connecting with clients or representing DSG, Isiah can usually be found outdoors seeking his next adventure. Whether kayaking, hiking, or exploring new places, he’s always eager to take on new challenges and experiences.
MORE ABOUT JAMES BRENDLE
Born and raised in the St. Louis area, James joined the firm in 2021 shortly after graduating from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology and a minor in Statistical Methods. As a Project Director at the firm, Brendle primarily assists other team members with questionnaire development, survey programming, data analysis, and report preparation wherever necessary. James’ background in Psychology allows him to provide a fresh perspective to the team and he is excited to help the firm grow while also upholding its reputation for excellence in the tourism market research industry.
Soccer takes up the majority of James’ spare time, as he avidly watches each of the five major domestic leagues in Europe as well as the MLS. James is eagerly awaiting St. Louis City SC’s debut season in the MLS in 2023 and will likely be found in the supporter’s section at each home game. He roots for European teams Southampton FC, FC Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Paris Saint Germain.
When not watching soccer, you can find Brendle reading a good sci-fi/fantasy book, playing video games, or watching a new movie/TV series.
MORE ABOUT JOE WALTERS
Joe was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, then went to the University of Florida where he earned a degree in Business Management and a minor in Mass Communications. Before landing at Downs & St. Germain, he worked for various political campaigns and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. As a Project Director at the firm, Joe primarily assists other team members with questionnaire development, survey programming, data analysis, and report preparation wherever necessary. Joe’s local government experience, business background, and marketing mindset provide the team with a deeper understanding of the needs of our clients.
An explorer at heart, outside the office you might find Joe rambling down an exotic city street in a faraway place, scooting around Tampa Bay on a quest for the best café con leche, or exploring a new concept in a book on the couch with his wife and baby daughter.
MORE ABOUT JORDAN TURNER
Jordan was born and raised in Tallahassee and received both her master’s and Ph.D. in Psychology from Florida State University. She also taught both Psychology and Research Methods courses at FSU before joining the Downs & St. Germain team. As a Project Director at the firm, Jordan primarily assists other team members with questionnaire development, survey programming, data analysis, and report preparation wherever necessary.
Outside of the office, you can probably find Jordan on a trail—running, hiking, or backpacking. In addition to her own exploration, she leads hikes for 2 local organizations. When not outdoors, she spends her free time researching backpacking gear and planning her next adventure.
MORE ABOUT EKATERINA SOROKINA
Ekaterina’s passion for tourism and travel research has led her to pursue both master and Ph.D. degrees in the field. Ekaterina’s Ph.D. degree is from the prestigious Hospitality Management program at the Rosen College that is consistently recognized among the nation’s best. Her master’s degree is from the Department of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism at the University of Florida.
Prior to joining the premier team at DSG, Ekaterina worked alongside some of the most influential tourism researchers in the field. Ekaterina’s research focused on exploring major industry trends, forecasting hotel sales, understanding consumer behavior, experiences, and market segmentation. She has published her research in the top tourism journals, and has been extensively cited. With her skill set, Ekaterina contributes to survey programming, focus group research, economic data analysis, social listening projects, and report development at DSG.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is also an enthusiast in the kitchen, and according to her older daughter, baking is her superpower. Ekaterina loves reading and will devour anything of interest from classical literature to the titles that are trending now. When it comes to travel, she is known in the family as a mastermind behind the trip planning. Ekaterina is an artist in her free time, who loves experimenting with different mediums and styles. She loves gardening, and growing something unexpected on her balcony. Overall, Ekaterina is always on a lookout for things to try and explore.
MORE ABOUT EMILY SMITH
Emily has a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University in Hospitality and Tourism Management and earned her master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. In addition to her education, she brings experience in project management, qualitative and quantitative research, and stakeholder engagement. As a Project Director at the firm, Emily primarily assists other team members with questionnaire development, survey programming, data analysis, and report preparation wherever necessary.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys thrift shopping where she loves uncovering unique items with a story to tell. She also finds joy in playing the flute in her local community concert band, where she gets to share her passion for music with others. In her downtime, she loves catching up on the latest TV shows, movies, and books, always eager to explore new stories and characters.
MORE ABOUT KAREN TAVARES
Karen is a tourism researcher and strategist with a passion for using data to support destinations and communities. Karen received her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, a M.S. Degree in Tourism, and a M.S. degree in Business Management from the University of Florida, and is finishing a Ph.D. in Tourism from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management. With a background in marketing and communications as well as teaching experience, she brings analytical, creative and educational perspectives to her work. Originally from Brazil and fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Karen is especially interested in using research to help destinations thrive using tourism as a positive force for visitors’ and locals’ well-being, sustainability, and cultural connection.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband Daniel and their dog Theo, as well as with her family in town. She also loves exploring theme parks, catching up on TV shows, practicing yoga, and constantly planning their next trip.
MORE ABOUT HOLLY ZHENG
When she’s not diving into data, Holly enjoys pursuing her fitness goals, exploring the outdoors, and traveling to experience new cultures. She’s always up for an adventure — especially if it involves nature trails or a passport stamp. And if you spot something cute in pink packaging, there’s a good chance Holly’s already added it to her cart.
MORE ABOUT LINSEY GIDDENS
Linsey was raised in New York City, but would spend summers and school breaks with her family in Tallahassee. When she was a sophomore in high school, she moved down to Tallahassee full-time. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University and leads the charge on hiring operations here at DSG, in addition to, administrative duties. Outside of the office, you can find Linsey cooking, redecorating her home, or spending time with her Husband, Andrew, and their two pets, Ceco and P. She also enjoys online shopping, the quiet, and spending time with her family and friends.