In 1993, I founded The Vandiver Group, Inc. (TVG) from my home office with a vision of a full-service strategic communications firm based on years of public relations experience at various businesses and organizations. Since I had never worked for a public relations agency, I created a model founded on my experience within Monsanto’s corporate communications department where I spent thirteen years of my career in various divisions and operating companies, before landing in corporate communications. Everyone at TVG knows the story, but I officially started the company while sitting on the beach in Cancun that year. As of April 1, 1993, I had finalized the decision to open our doors and we were official.

Fifteen years later, TVG is one of the largest independently owned public relations firms in the industry. With a diverse global client base, TVG has come a long way over the past 15 years, and I look forward to commemorating this important milestone throughout 2008.

TVG moved into our first offices in 1995 with a few employees. We continued to grow and in 1999, 2000 and 2001 were named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Fastest Growing Independently Owned Companies.” In 2000 and 2001 we were also named one of the fastest-growing PR firms in the country by the Council of PR Firms. Today we have more than 20 employees and associates operating at the St. Louis office with additional field offices in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Mo., Nashville, Tenn., Tampa, Fla. and Los Angeles, and soon in London.

We also have affiliations with Pinnacle WorldWide and Ruder Finn, which give us offices and expertise around the globe to tap for our clients who need and want global advice and presence.

Working in our team-based setting, our expertise has grown to include branding & positioning, crisis communications, graphic design & web development, internal communications, public relations, research, strategic planning, training and word-of-mouth marketing. We continually look to expand with the changing world, and last year we broadened our environmental practice by adding a sustainability communications practice area.

While providing personalized client service for countless companies, organizations and individuals across St. Louis and the globe, TVG and all of its employees have always been dedicated to creativity, collaboration and community service. Over the 15 years we have been in business, we are proud to have donated more than $1 million in pro bono time to non-profits in our region. Looking towards the future, we hope to continue our dedicated work and move onward and upward in the next 15 years!

Our thanks to our clients and all of you who have helped us make this possible.

Contact us at tvg@vandivergroup.com or send comments to blog@vandivergroup.com.