meet our team.
Meet the primary members of our virtual agency. We’re a group of senior-level practitioners who love to roll up our sleeves and immerse ourselves in your business challenges.
- Jeff Huggins, APR
- Catherine Huggins, APR, MBA
- Dawn Carlson
- Patrick Fultz
- Tamara Kenworthy, PCM, PRC, MBA
- Ginger Stevenson
- Teri TeBockhorst
- Kathryn Towner
Jeff Huggins, APR
Building upon a diverse public relations and marketing background spanning more than three decades, Jeff launched Huggins Consulting Group in 2009. Assembling the best talent from his vast network of communication professionals, the virtual agency offers cost-effective, senior-level thinking and exceptional program execution.
Before forming his own firm, Jeff helped integrate full-scope public relations capabilities into the service offerings for leading regional advertising agencies in Des Moines, Iowa and Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff started his agency career more than two decades ago with an Iowa-based Young & Rubicam affiliate, CMF&Z. He also was a principal at Zimmerman, Laurent & Richardson in the late-1990s.
Throughout his career, Jeff has specialized in broad spectrum of communication solutions. He is professionally accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and has earned industry recognition for effective writing and successful campaign implementation, including media relations, internal communications, community relations, issues management and event marketing.
A proven problem solver that possesses a rare combination of strategic project management skills and creative storytelling, Jeff has helped many organizations implement successful communication strategies that have met and exceeded campaign objectives. His track record includes marketing and reputation management successes with a diverse group of clients, including: the 1999 US Senior Open Golf Championship; Beam Industries; CII Technologies; Dice.com; Fisher Controls; HomeServices of Iowa; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; the Independent Health Alliance of Iowa; Jimmy Dean Foods; Mercy Health System; Meredith Corporation; National Pork Producers Council; Pabst Brewing Company; Pfizer Pharmaceutical; RSM McGladrey; Trimble; and Wells Fargo & Company.
Jeff earned a degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations from the University of Northern Iowa in 1986. He is a past president of the Central Iowa Chapter of PRSA, a member of the University of Northern Iowa President’s Club, and for many years served as a professional advisor to the public relations degree program for his alma mater.
Catherine Huggins, APR, MBA
After taking a two-year hiatus to serve as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Chief Advisor, Catherine returned to her previous role as Executive Vice President at Huggins Consulting Group in 2019. She spearheads the firm’s corporate practice, and has in-depth experience and expertise in strategic planning, executive leadership development, change / issue management, scenario planning, crisis communications, executive communications (speechwriting, presentation coaching and training), and marketing to women.
Catherine led corporate communication efforts for a Fortune 500 financial services group spanning 10+ companies; external communications for a multinational corporation; and marketing communications for a niche insurance company as well as one of the Midwest’s leading convenience store chains. Deeply valued for her strategic counsel and ability to forge diverse relationships, Catherine also served as Kim Reynolds’ first Chief Advisor during her time as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa and as Chief Speechwriter / Deputy Press Secretary to former Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad, who currently is U.S. Ambassador to China.
With a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University and accredited credentials from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Catherine possesses exceptional skills and an unyielding passion for effective communication.
She is actively involved on the EPIC Corporate Challenge Advisory Council. Catherine also served on the Executive Council of Million Women Mentors – Iowa. She was the first Iowa member to be elected to the national PRSA Board of Directors and is a former President of the Central Iowa Chapter of PRSA. Catherine also was a Board Trustee for the Josh Cares Foundation and a member of the United Way’s Tocqueville Society Women’s Leadership Council in Cincinnati.
Dawn Carlson, CAE
Dawn is authentic – she puts her heart into every element of her work, be it big picture visioning or perfection in the tiniest details. Dawn held the title of CEO for four different state and regional trade associations and has served non-profit association members for 32+ years. Her experience in government and public relations, policymaking, leadership development, event management, communications, and entrepreneurial business development makes her an ideal partner for our agency’s offerings. Dawn has proven experience in business administration, board relations, member relations and advocacy with expertise in strategic planning, financial turnarounds, member prospect campaigns, and entrepreneurial business development.
Perhaps most important in today’s times, Dawn is an advocate for planning and preparation. Business continuity and succession planning, all too often, become important too late. Organizations are served well by considering the future more often, initiated proactively through strategic planning. Viewing customers as investors is an approach to longevity and relevance. Through Strategic Relations, Dawn continues to share knowledge and experience by helping associations and businesses with business continuity planning, leadership development and strategic planning all which work to strengthen organizations and those they serve.
As a Certified Association Executive, CAE, Dawn’s credentials are among the elite few thousand in the U.S. tested as a proven and knowledgeable association leader. She holds a B.S. degree in business management from Iowa State University and various management and leadership credentials from the American Management Association. She is currently leading a number of community-based efforts through board leadership, management and mentorship.
Patrick Fultz
Pat Fultz has worked in the Des Moines area for more than 25 years. During that time, he has honed his skills as an award-winning graphic designer with an extensive list of clients and projects throughout the Midwest.
In 1984, Pat began his entrepreneurial career by creating Fultz Communications, a full-service graphic design firm. Over a nine-year period, he grew the company to employ 12 people and establish an additional office in the Kansas City area.
Pat sold his firm to CMF&Z in 1993, a premier advertising agency and affiliate of Young & Rubicam in New York. For the next five years, Pat handled responsibilities as a Creative Director in CMF&Z’s Des Moines office. Working on ad campaigns, branding programs, displays and collateral materials for regional and national clients, he further developed his creative and marketing skills.
In 1998, Pat went back on his own and established Fultz Design, a full-service, multi-disciplinary marketing/design firm. Now only employing external resources when needed, Pat enjoys being involved with all steps of the marketing and creative process and working with a fast-growing list of clients.
Pat has developed a strong reputation for taking on design projects with complex objectives and aggressive time constraints and creating successful end results. His list of notable client partnerships includes: Jacobson Companies, First American Bank, Metro Waste Authority, Barton Solvents, Inc., CIPCO, Etrema Products, Des Moines International Airport, Wells Fargo Financial, Barker Lemar Engineers, Iowa Health Systems, Studio Art Center International, Computer Transportation Services, the City of Altoona and the City of Des Moines.
Tamara Kenworthy, PCM, PRC, MBA
Tamara founded On Point Strategies in 2007 with the philosophy that strategy and marketing must be driven by the “voice of the customer.” With more than 35 years of experience, Tamara is an accomplished marketing strategist with research expertise, She is a researcher who thinks like a marketer – a unique niche in the industry. She is very passionate about directing clients on the important journey of discovery – serving as their guide to clear direction and precise execution, ultimately providing maximum value and increased ROI for the organization.
As a market researcher, Tamara designs and directs both qualitative and quantitative research project teams. She has moderated hundreds of online and in-person focus groups and interviews, as well as designed a wide variety of quantitative research projects. She stays up-to-date on the leading technology tools for research, ensuring clients are using the right methodology for their projects. Her clients mention the value On Point Strategies brings with their thorough research analysis and reports, including strategy and recommendations, as well as detailed findings.
Tamara is a skilled facilitator of strategic planning and brings an innovative approach by utilizing non-traditional techniques. Clients comment that she is an out-of-the-box facilitator that goes above and beyond what is typically provided in strategic planning. She assists clients in polishing both strategic plans and marketing plans that are realistic yet challenging.
Prior to founding On Point Strategies, Tamara worked on both the client and agency side of the business, directing award-winning marketing and research teams with budgets both small and large, always focused on results-driven campaigns.
A 30+ year member of the American Marketing Association and a past AMA Iowa President, Tamara is certified as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM). She is a member of the Insights Association, having earned its Professional Researcher Certification (PRC), and the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), currently serving as its Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning international QRCA VIEWS magazine. She speaks frequently on a range of marketing and research topics at the local and national level.
Tamara received an MBA from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and Leadership Iowa. Tamara received the NAWBO Iowa 2022 Advocate of the Year award for her tireless work on behalf of her clients, community, and profession. She has and continues to actively serve as a board/committee member for a variety of professional, civic, foundation, higher education, and nonprofit organizations.
Ginger Stevenson
Ginger offers clients a rare combination of a sound strategic thinking and exceptional design talent. As a result, she has a proven track record for delivering creative communication that breaks through the clutter, delivers powerful impact and inspires desired consumer reactions.
Prior to launching i&g design in 2006, Ginger progressed through the creative ranks with some of Des Moines’ largest advertising agencies. She was Associate Creative Director at Relationship Marketing, Senior Art Director for Zimmerman, Laurent & Richardson, and an Art Director with Meyocks & Priebe. She also has made the leap to the client side as the Director of Marketing for technology startup Palisade Systems.
Over the years, Ginger has helped unify the corporate image, strengthen product positioning and communicate differentiating personality for many distinguished brands. Her client relationships include: Abbott Laboratories; Ameriprise Financial; Beam Industries; Drake University; Hy-Vee; the Iowa Department of Public Health; Iowa Department of Transportation; Iowans for Consumer Fuel Choice; Iowa State University; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; Pioneer Hi-bred International; Time Warner Cable; and UCB Bio-Pharmaceuticals.
Perhaps Ginger’s most notable grassroots effort to date has been the “Just Eliminate Lies” anti-smoking campaign targeting Iowa teens. It’s a comprehensive and effective hybrid campaign combining traditional marketing and street-level grassroots initiatives.
Ginger has received several honors for creative expertise, including: national TELLY and NAMA awards; national and regional Addy Awards, including the 2003 Best of Show honors in the local competition; and local recognition from the Art Directors Association of Iowa (ADAI), the Iowa Motion Picture Association (IMPA) and the Central Iowa Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Des Moines native has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Grand View College.
Teri TeBockhorst
Teri’s goal has always been to help individuals and organizations find their path forward. Through business management, operations, strategic planning, marketing, advertising, and project management, her decades of diverse experience and success have helped Teri develop a strong strategic instinct.
From leading a multi-million-dollar advertising company to coordinating statewide promotions for some of the largest licensed properties in history, Teri is best known for her strategic and creative approach to business. This approach has helped her usher large businesses and nonprofit organizations through multiple ownership and leadership changes. She has launched brands that helped establish entire retail and residential districts in central Iowa, and she has created campaigns and promotions that moved national brands in bold new directions.
As the former President of Clear Channel Outdoor (now Lamar Advertising) and former Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Iowa Lottery, Teri successfully directed some of the most significant marketing initiatives in the state of Iowa.
As the second employee of R&R Realty Group and their Director of Multi-Family Development, Teri oversaw the construction of Phase I of a 600-unit multi-family development in Johnston, Iowa. As the head of the Winwood development, Teri brought the massive project in on-time and under budget.
As the owner and founder of East Village Books, Teri worked with a small startup budget to launch a successful retail brand that helped establish Des Moines’ East Village as a premiere retail district. Teri is well known for innovative and successful marketing strategies that have consistently produced exceptional results. She has negotiated dozens of large-scale promotions and marketing agreements with major national and regional properties.
Teri has broken exciting new ground creating ways to cross promote products and major brands that generated impressive results for everyone involved. Her amazing array of partners includes award-winning Broadway productions like Rock of Ages, top entertainment titles and personalities like Ghostbusters, American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe, and HGTV’s Tiny Homes, popular sports franchises like the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones, and organizations like Home Depot, Polaris, Indian motorcycles, Chevy Trucks, and more.
Teri has been honored to receive many industry and community recognitions. The American Advertising Federation honored her with their highest honor, the Silver Medal lifetime achievement award, and the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries recognized Teri with their Marketing Innovation award. In 2011, Business Publications of Des Moines named Teri a Woman of Influence.
Community involvement is very important to Teri. She is a founding board member of the John Stoddard Cancer Center, former board chair of Blank Park Zoo, former board President for Hoyt Sherman Place, and former board Chair for the Greater Iowa/Siouxland Better Business Bureau. Teri currently serves on the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation Board of Directors. Teri is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and Leadership Iowa, and she frequently lectures for classes and mentors students at Des Moines Area Community College, the University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa State University.
Kathryn Towner
The evolution of an entrepreneur often makes a great story, one involving personal sacrifice, intense highs and lows, and the drive to grow and to contribute. It’s the entrepreneur’s story that drives Kathryn as a business owner herself, and as a website developer and digital marketer.
Serving small businesses for over 20 years, Kathryn relies on her sales experience and public relations training to assist small businesses with online marketing programs at all stages. Straight out of Iowa State University with her degree in journalism, Kathryn worked for McGraw-Hill Higher Education as a publisher’s representative, where she trained and practiced the art of inquiry, learning something new every day.
In 2001 Kathryn joined her late husband Greg Goaley in his start-up marketing company. Her goal was to add value, to build a new revenue stream and quickly doubled the size of the business. Today, Kathryn’s company WinCommunications propels small businesses not only to stay current with online marketing trends, but also to find their unique voice, refine and re-establish their message, and develop trust online.
WinCommunications provides WordPress consulting, content management, and website development. Kathryn is an expert in small business email marketing and offers social media marketing services. Her focus is on saving the business owner time and money while growing and retaining a strong customer base. And what she values most of all are the relationships.
Kathryn stays involved in community groups and local business activities year-round. Currently she serves as Past President for NAWBO Iowa. She has served for many years in communications and leadership roles with the Iowa chapter of NAWBO, as well as the American Marketing Association, the Association of Women in Communications, the Iowa Society of Association Executives. Her volunteer work includes time on the boards at Opportunity On Deck and the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association.
