Thompson & Bender has an unmatched track record of success in developing award-winning advertising campaigns and gaining media coverage for a variety of clients and projects in the New York metropolitan area. Thompson & Bender's Executive Team brings a combined total of more than 60 years of journalism and marketing experience to the firm's clients. Their experience translates into an unparalled level of expertise on how to pitch a news story, how to develop a story angle and a long list of invaluable media contacts throughout the New York metropolitan and national media community, as well as how to position, advertise and market a service or product. Geoffrey Thompson, Chairman, began his professional career in 1969 as a news reporter for the Gannett newspapers group (The Journal News) in Westchester County, NY. During a 17-year journalism career he worked as a reporter, editor and award-winning columnist. For the last 10 years with the company he was Business and Real Estate editor. Since co-founding Thompson & Bender, he has worked on a wide range of public relations campaigns and has earned a reputation for handling major public relations strategies and challenges. He has developed and executed public relations programs involving a myriad of business and real estate interests, as well as for political campaigns. Among the many clients he has worked with are: New York Presbyterian Hospital, The Westchester mall, General Electric Co., The Trump Organization, Houlihan/Lawrence Real Estate, The Westchester Business Partnership, Cappelli Enterprises, Southern Energy/New York and County Asphalt Co. Dean Bender, President began his journalism career with the Paterson (NJ) Evening News as a reporter in 1970 and covered many different beats throughout his career. Prior to forming the agency he was assistant business editor of Gannett Suburban Newspapers. At Thompson & Bender he has worked with a wide variety of clients including global work with Shinnyo-en, Tokyo, Japan. He has handled public relations programs for firms such as MBIA, Insignia/ESG, Louis Dreyfus Property Group, and U.S. Information Systems, among many others. Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, Partner, Executive Vice President and Creative Director began her career in 1976 with the Gannett Suburban newspaper group (now The Journal News). Before joining T&B in 1990, she had risen to the position of Vice President of Marketing for Gannett's entire 10-newspaper group, with special assignments at USA TODAY. Since joining Thompson & Bender, she has managed a diverse number of award-winning public relations programs for small and large clients from the public and private sectors including: The Buick Classic at Westchester Country Club, New York-the New York Metro area's only annual PGA Tour event; the "launch" of The Journal News, the most dominant newspaper in the market; the reopening of The Hotel Thayer at West Point; the opening of Kykuit-the Rockefeller home in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.; on-going P.R. and advertising for White Plains Hospital Center; the grand opening of The Westchester in White Plains, N.Y. and the New Roc City entertainment complex in New Rochelle, N.Y. among many others.