About
With over 30 years of combined experience in top notch marketing communications, we know how to get it done…professionally, competitively, effectively, and at a pleasingly low price. Browse the website, and then contact us; let’s sit down and discuss your next, and greatest, strategy.
Kim Bode, Owner
Kim Bode, Principal of 834 Design, received her bachelors degree in communications from Grand Valley State University while she employed by the University. She rapidly worked her way up the administrative ranks. By 2002, Bode was with a GVSU start up entity, the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative where she served as WMSTI’s Director of Marketing.
Bode is an advanced communicator with extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing communications, media relations, event planning, and social media.
In 2008, Bode was featured in both Grand Rapids Business Journal’s and Grand Rapids Magazine’s Forty Under 40 in addition to Grand Rapids Magazine’s Influential Women. She is also a graduate of the Center of Community Leadership’s Inside Grand Rapids program and a 2009 Athena award nominee.
In the past several years, Bode began receiving numerous speaking requests from corporations who followed her on social media, to discuss strategy, engagement, measurement and policy. She has spoken for the Michigan Association of CPAs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Kalamazoo Chamber Business Expo and more.
Bode also hosts the monthly radio show “Your Biz, Your Town” with WGVU’s Shelley Irwin on 88.5 FM.
Kim’s drive and ambition, added to her desire to deliver the best quality product to her client make her one of the most in-demand professionals in Grand Rapids.
She currently resides in the Grand Rapids community with her two dogs, Bentley and Murphy and her life partner, Josh.
Board Member, American Marketing Association, West Michigan
Board Member, Goodwill Industries Young Leaders
Board Member, Van Andel Institute J-Board
Young Nonprofit Professional Network, Marketing Committee
GVSU Young Alumni Council
Founding Member, Vignette Marketing
Renay Schoenmaker, Intern Marketing Coordinator
Renay Schoenmaker grew up on Michigan’s east side before attending college at Grand Valley State University. She is currently in her junior year studying Advertising/Public Relations with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Renay’s interests include communication, event planning, marketing and public relations. Her career goal is to become an event planner or creative director.
Her responsibilities at 834 Design & Marketing are market research, event coordination, copywriting and communication strategy assistance.
834 Virtual Team
Jason Dodge, Online Marketing Expert
Jason Dodge is driven by his passion for Internet marketing strategies and positive communication. Helping others achieve success through engaging with their customers is what drives Jason and Black Truck Media + Marketing to work toward excellence on every project.
Chris Koens, Project Manager, Graphic Designer Extraordinaire, Web Developer, Therapist
Chris Koens is a marketer by desire, a designer by passion, and a writer by happenstance. Chris has a background in web and print design that spans a decade and a half and touches multiple industries with a variety of b2b and b2c clients. As a marketer he uses his ability to connect concept to design to end user and create successful campaigns and unique individual pieces. Additionally, Chris uses his words and wit to connect the written word to the consumer – whether the words exist in pixels or ink, having developed content for both on-line and in-life projects and contributing writings to multiple on-line publications.
Chris has passion for the local Grand Rapids area, but panache for the global marketplace. Born in West Michigan, but having spent significant time living, working, and vacationing in eight countries and multiple US States, Chris now calls Grand Rapids “home.”
Jeff Tow, Graphic Designer & Web Developer
Jeff Tow is a graphic designer and web developer with over 17 years of experience providing solutions for a wide range of customers, in a variety of industries. Whether it’s web design, graphic design or motion graphics, Jeff moves seamlessly across the media to provide solid creative elements that build and enhance branding.
Jeff leverages his development skill set, experience with open-source applications, and his deep understanding of internet technologies to make a client’s design work and deliver the desired results.
Partner Company – JLG Consulting
Orlando, FL
JLG Consulting, INC., has a strong business network in the 7 county Central Florida region as well as the 26 states east of the Mississippi. We specialize in long term, targeted relationships with key individuals in the real estate and A/E/C industry. Beyond simply participating in leads groups or attending networking functions, JLG proactively fosters working relationships with senior, ‘C-Level’ professionals from a wide array of professional services. We are very proud of the quality of the individuals we work with and consider them our fundamental resource in business development.
JLG Consulting, INC., was formed in 2009 by Johanna Lixey-Greene. Johanna obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. She has worked as a Director of Business Development and Marketing in the real estate and A/E/C industry since 2002. Before starting JLG Consulting, INC., Johanna worked as the V.P of Business Development & Marketing with C.D. Barnes Associates in Grand Rapids, Michigan. C.D. Barnes is a General Contractor/Construction Manager/Design Builder and Real Estate Developer. She was then recruited and relocated to Orlando, FL by QORE Property Sciences. She served as the Central Florida Director of Business Development. Following QORE Johanna led NOVA Engineering & Environmentals’ business development and marketing efforts as the Director of Business Development.
Her list of clients include:
SCA Design Group – www.scadg.com
U.S Green Building Council – Central Florida Chapter: www.usgbc-cf.com
Venator Contracting: www.venatorcontracting.com