ABOUT THE BEENDERS WALKER GROUP
The Beenders Walker Group was founded in 1995 by Marjorie Beenders and Steve Walker. Previously, Beenders served with distinction as Director of the Missouri Division of Tourism for nearly 13 years. Her creative, innovative marketing and promotion programs resulted in significant tourism growth, earning national awards and recognition. Walker, who worked four years as Chief Accountant and Budget Officer for the Missouri Department of Economic Development and nine years as Director of the Missouri Division of Transportation, brings an understanding of the legislative process that proves vital for TBWG clients in need of a government liaison.
Clients of The Beenders Walker Group benefit from the TBWG team’s many years of experience in marketing, public relations and creative promotions. Our team offers wide-ranging skills in strategic marketing, legislative issue campaigns, grassroots communication and media relations via print, broadcast and electronic media.
The Beenders Walker Group also is a member of the following professional organizations: Association of Great Lake Outdoor Writers; International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association; Golf Writers Association of America; Midwest Travel Journalists Association; Missouri Outdoor Communicators; Missouri Society of Association Executives; Missouri Travel Council; North American Travel Journalists Association; Outdoor Writers Association of America; Public Relations Society of America; Southeastern Outdoor Press Association; and Travel Media Showcase.
KEY TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE:
MARJORIE BEENDERS, Owner/ Creative Director – Marjorie has over 35 years experience working with the news media and creating award-winning public relations/marketing campaigns. Before starting TBWG in 1995, she served as Director of the Missouri Division of Tourism for nearly 13 years. Marjorie also served as Assistant Tourism Director for the State of Illinois for eight years. In Missouri, she instituted the highly successful Wake Up to Missouri promotional campaign. Her work in marketing Missouri tourism has been recognized with state and national awards, including induction into the national Travel Industry Hall of Leaders. You can reach Marjorie at Marjorie@TBWGroup.net.
STEVE WALKER, Owner/ Operations Director – Steve has extensive financial and government expertise, highlighted by 17 years with Missouri state government. During his last nine years with the state, he served as Director of the Missouri Division of Transportation. Steve did undergraduate work at the University of Missouri and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Lincoln University. Steve is also Executive Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council and TBWG's government liaison. You can reach Steve at Walker@TBWGroup.net.
JO DUNCAN, Director of Media Relations – Jo’s wide-ranging experience in marketing and promotions provides an ideal background for her work with TBWG’s clients. Before joining TBWG in 2006, she worked with the Retail Brand Alliance in Indianapolis and St. Louis; as liaison with The Travel Committee and UniTravel in Washington, D.C.; and in special promotions for the Illinois Division of Tourism as director of sales for the Ramada Inn, Williamsburg, Va. For TBWG, Jo represents our destinations at professional media marketplaces, develops journalist tours, organizes production of printed materials, manages special promotions and participates in media visits. You can reach Jo at Jo@TBWGroup.net.
KYLE WAYNE STEWART, Communications Manager – Kyle is involved in all aspects of TBWG projects and publications including photography, writing, editing, web design and ad design. Kyle also is the Executive Director of Missouri Outdoor Communicators. Prior to joining TBWG, Kyle worked for The Columbia Missourian newspaper where he researched, wrote, edited and photographed stories for daily publication. Kyle's stories have appeared in Outdoor Guide, Iowa Golf, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Springfield News-Leader, Chicago Journal-Topics and more. Kyle also worked with the Missouri Film Commission on special projects and publications. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a minor in English from the University of Missouri. You can reach Kyle at Kyle@TBWGroup.net.
SHELLY HITNER, Graphics Specialist (Sub-Contractor) – Shelly is the owner of Character Graphic Design, a Jefferson City-based company. Her request to receive a WBE certification from the state of Missouri is currently under review. Shelly is our go-to Graphic Designer. She specializes in graphic design projects and excels in logo development, corporate identities, meeting and convention themes, newsletters, brochures, and many other graphic design applications. Shelly will lead the creative process from research and conceptualization to final production. Her current freelance clients include statewide associations, local non-for-profit organizations, local advertising/marketing firms, local printing companies, and many others. Shelly takes the hard work of our creative team of copy writers and photographers and realizes the final product – whether it be an ad campaign, a visitor’s guide or brochure. Shelly also is a volunteer for Jefferson City Homelessness Task Force and its Project Homeless Connect events, a member and past secretary of the Capital Arts Board of Directors. Shelly earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Commercial Art and a minor in Marketing from Central Missouri University.
BRAD BEENDERS, Producer, Director, Filmmaker and still photographer (Sub-Contractor) – For more than 15 years, Brad has collaborated with TBWG on several different photography and film projects. He is an award-winning filmmaker as well as an award winning photographer, with more than 20 years experience in the industry. For several years, he lived and worked in Los Angeles in the film industry before returning to St. Louis, Missouri to establish his production company, Locust Films. His clients have included St. Louis CVC, the Bahamas, Missouri Division of Tourism, Amtrak, Sea World, Busch Gardens, St. Louis Zoo, Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council, Lebanon Convention & Visitors Bureau, the American Heart Association, University of Alabama, Birmingham; Shock Top Beer; Anheuser-Busch; Missouri Division of Highway Safety; City of New Madrid, and many more.
STEVE KAPPLER, Writer/ Editor (Sub-Contractor) – Steve worked with TBWG from 1997 to 2008, after 25 years as public relations manager for the Missouri Division of Tourism. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Steve also served four years as a U.S. Navy Journalist, including two years handling public relations for the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. Now living in South Carolina and (mostly) retired, Steve assists TBWG with writing, editing and media contacts as needed.
LULU DOGG, Receptionist/ Security Director – Lulu has worked in the TBWG office (and Marjorie Beenders’ home) for the past four years. A canine of mixed breed, she previously occupied a position at the Jefferson City Animal Shelter. Her primary responsibilities at TBWG involve greeting all office visitors, while providing an audible alarm to warn of visitors judged to be threatening (or unknown …or merely alive). Her skill at sniffing out new opportunities and sinking her teeth into challenging tasks has earned recognition as an active team member.