Gongos Research Founder, CEO John Gongos Dies At 51
AUBURN HILLS -- The market research firm Gongos Research Thursday announced the death of its founder and CEO, John Gongos.
Gongos died Wednesday surrounded by family at William Beaumont Hospital at Royal Oak, just eight days after he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. He was 51.
Gongos was a hands-on CEO, actively leading the company up until July 10. Beyond providing strategic oversight, Gongos made a personal impact on every member of the company. In addition to meeting prospective employees before hire, he individually met with them to solidify their understanding of the company's deeply rooted culture.
Gongos also had an uncanny ability to recognize the unique strengths of his employees and actively position them to succeed. In 2009, he formed "Gongos Gives," a program that provided employees with a platform for community volunteerism and the opportunity to give back.
As a lifelong market researcher, Gongos remained a practitioner and consultant to clients he had worked with over the course of his career. His passion for research and desire to create a great place for people to thrive professionally and personally triggered the launch of his own company.
As an active steward of the marketing research industry, Gongos served on the Board of Directors for the Council for American Survey Research Organizations, and recently co-chaired its Management Conference in June. He also served on the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee for The Albrecht Companies Inc. As an alumnus of Miami University-Ohio he regularly addressed students on marketing research and played an active role in the recruitment of fellow alumni.
Gongos is survived by his wife of 22 years Anne; daughter Ali (20), son Austin (17), daughter Olivia (12); and mother JoAnn, sister Laura, and brother Jim.
Visitation will take place at Modetz Funeral Home in Orion Township Saturday, July 28 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Kensington Community Church in Troy on Monday, July 30. In observance of his life, Gongos Research will be closed for business that day.
Donations in his honor may be made to Kensington Community Church in Troy.
For a glimmer of the legacy Gongos leaves, we invite you to view this once internal-only video produced last year in celebration of the company's 20th anniversary. http://vimeo.com/46388253
Based on a desire to create impact for its clients, Gongos Research uses both innovative and foundational approaches to consumer research. Its research practice areas blend a hands-on, yet consultative style to synthesize findings and shape consumer stories. Proprietary offerings, including Gongos Mobile and Consumer Village, are guided by its research innovation team which continually develops new ways to gain consumer perspective in a changing world.
Gongos Research has worked with companies such as Hallmark Cards, MasterFoods, Best Buy, U.S. Bank, Visa, GM and Chrysler. In 2007, the company was first named to the Inc. 5000 list of "The Fastest Growing Companies in America," and is among the Honomichl Top 50 U.S. marketing research organizations. For further insight into the Gongos culture, visit www.gongos.com.
