“How lucky are we?” JR Hipple, SIR managing partner, said.
He was talking about Cathy Lewis and Lori Crouch, both well-known for their careers in Hampton Roads, joining the Richmond-based strategic planning, communications and market research boutique consulting firm.
“When you have an opportunity to expand your staff with two really bright, really committed, experienced people who have such high integrity, you have to be very grateful they joined us,” he said.
SIR has grown significantly over the past two years, so the need aligned with the opportunity to bring Lewis and Crouch on board, Hipple said.
The 58-year-old firm, originally known as the Southeastern Institute of Research, has a satellite office in Norfolk. SIR has 20 full-time employees between the two sites.
“We do a lot in the community and with organizations based in Hampton Roads,” Hipple said. “We love the people and the work that we do in the region.”
SIR CEO and managing partner John Martin is also CEO of RVA-757 Connects, a nonprofit organization working to market Richmond and Hampton Roads as one megaregion. Martin had also been involved in “The 757? rebranding efforts for Hampton Roads.
Lewis joined SIR as a principal in May, focusing on strengthening community engagement, improving communication and finding clear objectives to help clients achieve them.
“I’m also doing qualitative research, interviewing stakeholders to understand the issues facing organizations,” she said.
She said she maintains time for her other passions including speaking, podcasting and volunteer work.
Lewis stepped down in May 2019 after 18 years as the president and CEO of CIVIC Leadership Institute in Hampton Roads. And two years later after a 25-year stint, she retired as the host of WHRO’s “Hearsay with Cathy Lewis,” where she was known for her conversational prowess on topics such as elections, wars, impeachments, scandals, hurricanes, the pandemic and more.
But Lewis, always eager to show her love for the region and all it has to offer, doesn’t sit idle for long — if at all.
“I like working every day with the people who have committed to the important work of moving the region forward and engaging more diverse stakeholders in that effort,” Lewis said.
Working alongside Lewis is Crouch, another Hampton Roads staple. Crouch was an anchor and reporter for WAVY-TV for six years before transitioning into communications for the city of Norfolk for 10 years.
She had admired SIR’s work and became a managing partner at the firm Jan. 4.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to the firm’s growth while continuing to grow professionally,” she said.
A self-proclaimed research geek, Crouch said SIR’s in-house research department enables her to see firsthand the insights gained and strategic results achieved.
“It feels good to help a company be the best version of itself,” she said.
And Crouch said she is proud to be able to highlight the Hampton Roads region.
“This region is a special place filled with companies making a difference on the local, state, national and international stage,” she said.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com