Business POV

They're pioneers in predictive analytics. Translation: using data mining, statistics and pattern recognition software, they can foresee trends, anticipate change and help companies manage daily operations more efficiently. Rich Holada, Sr. VP of Technology, explains that SPSS has customers in virtually every industry, including telecommunications, banking, finance, insurance, you name it. But they've always interfaced in the rarified world of PhDs and highly technical staff at client companies. Now, though, they're now trying to market their products to the nontechnical audience.

Mr. Holada won the 2009 CityLIGHTS "Spotlight" Award from the Illinois Technology Association (ITA). The Spotlight Award is given to the chief information officer/chief technology officer for leadership and outstanding contributions to his or her company’s performance.

Founded in 1968, today SPSS has more than 250,000 customers worldwide, served by more than 1,200 employees in 60 countries. The company's CEO is Jack Noonan.

About Rich Holada:

As Senior Vice President of Technology, Rich’s role is to drive and execute the technological vision of SPSS by creating best-of-breed Predictive Analytics Software – data collection, data mining, text analytics, statistics and deployment. Rich is responsible for managing the SPSS worldwide operations for product strategy, research and development, and technical support. He joined SPSS in November 2006 as Senior Vice President of Research & Development, bringing with him nearly 20 years of diverse experience in the technology industry.