Alicia DeGeest

Alicia DeGeest has a ten-year track record of client service with Paulsen Marketing. She brings her gift for organization, focus and responsibility to current national clients including WildBlue Communications and POET Nutrition.

Alicia is a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, National Association of Farm Broadcasters and the South Dakota Advertising Federation. Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from South Dakota State University.

Bryan Bjerke

Bryan Bjerke brings 30 years of professional experience in media, communications and public relations, with an emphasis in agriculture and politics.

He began his career as a reporter, anchor, assignment editor and news director at KELO-TV and KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls, and was an assignment editor and segment producer for CBS News Northeast Bureau in New York. Upon returning to South Dakota, he served as press secretary for Congressman Tom Daschle’s election campaign in 1982 — then as statewide staff director for the Congressman, setting up statewide field offices and managing the in-state efforts for Representative Daschle.

Prior to joining Paulsen, Bryan owned his own business, Bryan Bjerke Communications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls and is a member in good standing of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Heather Covrig

Heather Covrig has been a part of the client service team at Paulsen Marketing for over six years. Her knowledge, dedication and insight helps lead regional and national clients including NorthWestern Energy, Hubbard Feeds, Ecolab and Soy Best.

Heather is the current Vice President and ADDY Co-Chair of the South Dakota Advertising Federation and member in good standing of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from South Dakota State University.

Kristi Moss

Raised on a farm in rural South Dakota, Kristi Moss’s rural roots led her to becoming one of the most experienced agricultural media buyers. Through her 16-year employment with Paulsen Marketing, she has continually proven herself to be an expert planner, strategist and negotiator throughout agricultural media.

As the agrimarketing world has recognized that technology is rapidly changing the way we communicate with producers, Kristi is dedicated to staying on the forefront of the paradigm shift occurring at the marketing level. Kristi has been part of the Paulsen team that has dedicated significant time to producer research regarding conventional and contemporary marketing strategies to reach today’s agribusinesses and ag producers.

Kristi holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. As media director at Paulsen, she oversees media strategy for all Paulsen clients.

Mark Smither

Mark Smither is one of the driving forces behind Paulsen’s strategic planning and marketing capabilities. His extensive background in both writing and management gives him a unique edge in the creative advertising arena.

Mark has worked in a creative capacity for more than 25 years, with 15 of those writing and producing ag-related creative at Paulsen Marketing. He has been honored with numerous awards for his work, particularity in copywriting and broadcast production. Mark is a graduate of the University of South Dakota.

Sara Steever

Sara Steever, a 20-year veteran of Paulsen Marketing, is a leader in the continuously expanding and developing world of digital media. She’s responsible for the customer experience of all Internet initiatives, including digital product vision and strategy, new product development, personalization tools and social media features, user research and usability, interface design and development, and the development of innovative digital marketing and ad sales products.

Together with her team of on-site programmers and project management specialists, Sara works to build brands online — through information architecture, search engine marketing and optimization, and user-focused designs. Her work spans from large (enormous, high-profile websites, custom e-commerce solutions and Web applications) to small (simple banner ads and landing pages) — all with the same innovative thinking and attention to detail.

Sara was raised on a row-crop and livestock farm in rural South Dakota, and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota.