Best Companies Group

Meet Our Team

Our Best Companies Group is committed to helping our customers succeed. We want our customers to be well, do good, and be the best place to work for their people.

Mike Marini
Mike MariniData & Systems Manager
Karen Trigg
Karen TriggProgram Business Partner
Lara Cohen
Lara CohenResearch Manager
Kristen Eckert
Kristen EckertSurvey Insights Partner
Amy Clever
Amy CleverJunior Program Business Partner
Heidi Aikens
Heidi AikensSurvey Insights Partner
Jackie Miller
Jackie MillerSenior Program Business Partner
Susan White
Susan WhiteSurvey Insights Partner
Darlene Davis
Darlene DavisSenior Program Business Partner
Jay Gerber
Jay GerberData & Customer Support
David Tamburello
David TamburelloResearch Manager
Olivia Perry
Olivia PerryProgram Business Partner
Gabriela Marushak
Gabriela MarushakProgram Business Partner
Madelyne Barroso
Madelyne BarrosoSurvey Insights Partner
Dr. Autumn Raffety, Ph.D.
Dr. Autumn Raffety, Ph.D.Manager, Research and Insights
Autumn Raffety is an organizational psychologist and the Manager of Research and Insights at Best Companies Group. Prior to her role with BCG, she served as an organizational leader with the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Autumn has several years of organizational and educational experience in industrial and organizational psychology and leadership. Her central focus has been in quantitative and qualitative research methodology, data collection, data analysis, and reporting, as well as organizational development, risk assessment, and change management.

Autumn earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University, and her Master of Counseling Psychology from American Military University. She then went on to complete another master’s and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two furry babies.

Jamie Linkous
Jamie LinkousVice President, Recognition Programs
Jamie Linkous is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where he majored in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources Management.

He has over 20 years in the field of Human Resources where his primary focus has been on leading organizations in improving the following areas: recruiting, compensation strategy implementation, organizational & safety culture implementation and training and development.

Jamie lost his spouse due to Pulmonary Hypertension and Scleroderma in 2018. He is an advocate of bringing awareness to these 2 diseases as they often go undiagnosed. Currently, there is no cure for them.

He obtained his SPHR certification in 2002, SHRM-SCP in 2015 and his OSHA 501 certification in 2001. Jamie has served on the BGSHRM Board in various roles such as Professional Development Director, President-Elect, Chapter President and Past-President. In addition to his BGSHRM Board roles, he has served as Technology Director on the KYSHRM Board as well as Treasurer and President of the Bluegrass Compensation Association. 

James Delaney
James DelaneyManager, Sales
James is the Sales Manager for Best Companies Group where he is responsible for the sales and growth of custom employee engagement surveys. James also leads sales efforts for event sponsorships for several Best Places to Work Programs. Prior to Best Companies Group James held sales leadership roles within media companies including Comcast and Advanced Digital.
Jaime Raul Zepeda
Jaime Raul ZepedaExecutive Vice President
Jaime serves as EVP of Best Companies Group and Color Magazine. Prior to BridgeTower, he served as Senior Vice President of Customer & People Success at HIVE Diversity, a virtual recruiting platform that connects companies with employees of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Before that, he was a Regional Leader of LinkedIn’s customer success team, helping to manage the company’s relationships with large global enterprises. He began his career in HR Tech at Great Place to Work, and served in several leadership roles, including Vice President of Partnership Programs.

Jaime earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College of California, and his MBA from The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. He lives with his wife and son in the Bay Area.