MISSION STATEMENT
Schaeffer Marketing Group is a premier family owned firm, representing leading electrical, lighting and controls manufacturers with integrity. Our team provides service, training and innovative solutions to maximize value for our company, our customers and manufacturer partners. Education and investment in our team members continuously improve our solution sets, create demand, and provide excellent proactive customer service with ethics, expertise, accountability, timeliness, and respect.
Experience and Qualifications of Personnel
Kristina Steiger:
CPMR, Owner and Outside Sales
B.S., Business Administration – Marketing, University of Missouri – St. Louis, 1994. Four years’ experience with an electrical distributor as a Marketing Specialist. Began in inside sales with SMG in May, 2000. Kris received the Gem Rising Star Award from Electrical Wholesaling Magazine which recognizes independent reps whose early careers and industry contributions show promise of leadership.
Mike Schaeffer:
P.E. and CPMR, Board of Directors
BS, 1970, Engineering Management, Missouri S&T ; MBA, 1975, Washington University; Co-founder of Schaeffer Sales in 1976. Maintains his Professional Engineering License in MO and IL. CPMR graduate (Certified Professional Manufacturer’s Rep.) Mike was a recipient of the Michael A. Postiglione Award for 2014 in recognition by the Electrical Board of Missouri and Illinois for his efforts “above and beyond” to ensure that the Electrical Board remains a successful organization. Mike retired in December 2021, but remains active on our board of directors.
Brenda Schaeffer:
Board of Directors
Joined the Schaeffer Sales team in 1983. Years of experience in inside sales, outside sales, accounting, and HR. Currently enjoying retirement, Brenda continues serving on our Board of Directors and is often involved in special projects.
Melissa Berry:
Senior Outside Sales
B.S., Human Environmental Studies – Merchandising with a minor in Marketing, Southeast Missouri State University, 2003. Twelve years’ experience in retail management. Joined the SMG team in January, 2016
Darla Bair:
Outside Sales Specialist
B.S., Engineering Management – Missouri S&T, 1988. With experience in industrial controls for factory automation, Darla calls on distributors, contractors and specifiers. Joined the SMG team in December of 2016.
Scott Obert:
Outside Sales
B.S., Marketing – Fontbonne College, 1993. 15+ years’ experience in sales, marketing, inventory management, and customer service at one of the largest manufacturers of primary batteries and personal care products. Joined the SMG team in June 2019.
Don Calcaterra:
Outside Sales
BS, Marketing – University of Missouri-St. Louis. Calling on Distributors, Contractors, Specifiers, National Accounts, and End Users. Started with LEC & Co. 1981, joined SMG in April 2021.
Chris Gaff:
Outside Sales
B.S., Finance – Eastern Illinois University, 2008. Over six years of experience with an electrical distributor with the lighting retrofit team, in the warehouse, at the counter, and in inside sales before moving to Schaeffer Marketing Group in August of 2021.
Nick Ball:
Outside Sales
B.S., Marketing – Missouri State University, 2022. Experience in sales, now specializing in contractor sales and demand generation. Joined the SMG team in July 2022.
Nate Michael:
Outside Sales
BS, Management Information Systems – Southeast Missouri State University, 2005. Spent 19 years in the coatings industry on both the manufacturer and applicator sides. Experience with product sales, project estimating, and project coordination. Joined SMG in 2022.
Kim Williams:
Executive Assistant
B.S., Human Relations – Rockford University, 1988. Kim worked part-time for Schaeffer Marketing Group from 2007 to 2014. She returned in January of 2018 to assist with HR, accounting, and other administrative responsibilities.
John McGauley: 314-379-0576
Inside Sales and Quotations
BS Business Administration, Rockhurst University, 2004. John joined Schaeffer Marketing Group in April of 2006. John was named the Inside Salesperson of the Year for Picoma in 2014.
Jamie Radin: 314-379-0578
Inside Sales and Quotations
Associate of Applied Science, Office Systems & Technologies, Executive & Legal from Jefferson College, 2005. Jamie joined the team in March of 2008. Jamie was named the Inside Salesperson of the Year for Universal Lighting Technologies in 2011.
Geoff Martin: 314-379-0575
Lighting Quotations
Associate Degree of Technology in Electrical Systems Design, Ranken Technical College, 2009. Geoff joined the SMG team in December of 2010.
Caitlin Alexander: 314-379-0577
Inside Sales and Quotations
BA Communications – University of California, Riverside, 2005. Experienced in technical writing and sales, Caitlin joined the SMG team in September 2020.
Ellen Eason: 314-750-1552
Inside Sales and Quotations
BS, Computer Science – Webster University. Experienced in lighting applications, with AGI , LitePro and Specwriter. Ellen also handles inside sales and quotations for various lines. Started with LEC & Co. in 1994, joined SMG in April 2021.
Zack Oberbeck: 314-379-0582
Inside Sales and Quotations
Experience as an explosives expert has prepared him well for the volatile electrical market. Zack spent 11 years cleaning power generation plants with the controlled use of explosives. Studied architecture and drafting at Lewis and Clark Community College. Joined the SMG team in April 2023.
Distribution Policy
Virtually all lines are sold through wholesalers, with very few exceptions.
Operations
- 1. Contacts are made with all electrical distributors and contractors, electrical specifying engineers, architects, electrical utilities, government facilities, major city governments, and boards of education, colleges and industrial firms.
- 2. Samples are demonstrated and displayed to specifying engineers, architects, distributors, and contractors. Engineering and distributor sales meetings are often held. Joint calls with distributor salesmen are often scheduled for the purpose of training and motivating distributor salesmen. Lunch-and-Learn meetings with specifiers and distributors are held frequently.
- 3. We often participate in distributor open houses, counter days, electrical association, specifier luncheons and dinners, training presentations, etc.
- 4. Manufacturers’ promotions and sales campaigns are carried out and leads followed up. Ongoing projects are followed via CMD reports.
- 5. Direct email campaigns are used to supplement manufacturer mailings, to distribute interesting articles and promotions, and to promote products to both prospective and existing customers. The agency has an extensive email address database for direct email.
- 6. Order service is provided efficiently by four inside sales service personnel. Six incoming telephone lines and two fax lines insure easy access to the agency at all times.
- 7. The agency is fully computerized. All personnel are connected to each other via a Windows NT network and to the world through the internet. Access to order entry, inventory status, e-mail, quotations, and sales history is available at all times. Outside sales personnel carry phones and tablets with email and internet access