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Chuck Neff Jenny Donovan Jeff Wilmes Keith Plein
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The Crew at Salt River Production Group Chuck brings more than 30 years of experience in the television, radio, and video production industries to the Salt River Production Group. He has worked as a news reporter, anchorman, and producer with NBC News in Chicago, as well as TV and radio stations in St. Louis, Denver and Terre Haute. In addition to his production duties, Chuck also hosts three programs on the Relevant Radio Network, a national Catholic radio network. “Searching the Word” is a program focusing on catechesis. “The Inner Life” concentrates on spiritual direction. And, “Fathers and Sons,” is a Saturday morning program directed toward male spirituality. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Chuck has traveled extensively to produce documentaries in Brazil, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Israel. Over his career Chuck has been awarded 14 local Emmys for excellence as a reporter, writer and producer. He has also received dozens of other national and regional awards for outstanding programming. In addition to his reporting and producing duties, Chuck worked as an anchor and executive news producer. He also reported for the Peabody award-winning magazine show “EXTRA” and produced and hosted “PM Magazine” in St. Louis. In 1999, Chuck was extensively involved in the Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis. He coordinated the TV Pool Coverage for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He also served as Executive Producer in the production of “Gateway to Faith,” the official video of the Holy Father’s visit to St. Louis. It is easy to see why Chuck is known as our "Marathon Man." Not only does he put in long hours crafting good, solid programming, he seems to be always on the run training for various marathons and half-marathons. His stamina has been compared to those marathoners from Kenya, but his actual running speed is more like a Galapagos turtle. While he may not set record times, Chuck always finishes the race. He is, without doubt, competitive, focused and committed to whatever project goal he takes on. Civic and charitable involvement is an important part of Chuck’s life. He is currently the President of the SSM Rehab Foundation Board of Directors. Chuck has been selected as Special Ambassador to St. Louis County’s Special School District and along with his wife Judy has served on the National Board of Directors of Worldwide Marriage Encounter. He has also served as President of the Board of Directors for the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center. Chuck is also the founder of Stepstone Productions, whose mission includes providing training and employment opportunities in the production business for at-risk youth. Chuck and his wife Judy have been married for 39 years. They have four children and five grandchildren.
Jenny is an award-winning producer who brings a unique balance of professional experience, academic accomplishments and community service to the Salt River Production Group. She is well traveled and has lived, worked and studied in Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Jenny has produced documentaries in Peru, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and across the United States. Her work has been broadcast nationally and internationally. She is also an internationally published writer. Jenny has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Media Communications with a Media Literacy emphasis. Most of her graduate work was completed while studying in The Netherlands, Austria and South Africa. Jenny has interviewed government leaders, media professionals and academics. Jenny did her Master's thesis research in those countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the United States. As an adjunct faculty member at Webster University, she taught a course on media, culture and politics in Austria and South Africa. Whether it is with an international flair or simple comfort food, Jenny is just as accomplished in the kitchen as she is on location. Always with a creative flair, she and husband Tom entertain family and friends with pallet-pleasing gourmet dinners, calorie-free (yeah, right!) desserts and an easy-going Irish welcome that invites guests to stay and enjoy long into the evening. The Donovans have been married for 39 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. Volunteerism has always been part of their lives. Together, and individually, they have provided leadership and helped raise millions of dollars for local organizations. They are directors of por los niños Medical Mission, a nonprofit organization serving the medical and surgical needs of underserved children in Peru and Honduras. Jenny is a member of the Missouri Catholic Conference Public Policy Committee, St. Patrick Center Board of Trustees and Latin American Children’s Fund Board of Directors.
For more than a dozen years Jeff has been traveling the world to document and produce stories of hope and inspiration. Through the lens of his camera, Jeff has taken pictures from Times Square to the Golden Gate Bridge…from the streets of Cochabamba, Bolivia, to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Along the way he has gained a deep respect for the people he has met and come to realize on a personal level that “there, but for the grace of God, go I.” Clients know firsthand how Jeff immerses himself in the stories he helps document. He has discovered it is the best way to understand the project and provide the visual support that provides emotion, clarity, and depth. In the end, Jeff knows the more powerful his images, the more inspiration he brings to the final production and our audiences. Whether he is shooting celebrities or sports heroes, the men and women who run large corporations or small non-profit organizations, or the poorest of the poor in Third World countries, Jeff is known for his caring and enthusiastic work ethic. Through his work as a cameraman and editor, Jeff has inspired and motivated audiences everywhere around the world. Jeff has been known to hang out of helicopters and climb to great heights to get the right images. When he puts down the camera, he has also been seen swinging through the trees on a canopy tour in Central America, playing soccer on the street with kids he just photographed, riding a camel in the desert, and chowing down on most anything that is put on the table in front of him. When he is not working, Jeff is active in his community. He currently serves on the parish council for St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in St. Louis. Jeff and his wife Carol have been married for eight years and have been blessed with four children.
Keith contributes 37 years of marketing and sales management expertise to the Salt River Production Group. Before joining Salt River, Keith was involved in a variety of diverse industries and was a featured speaker at meetings for various industries such as automotive, commercial transportation, agriculture, housing, and aviation. Keith has a degree in Communications from St. Louis University with minors in Psychology and Philosophy. His extensive background combined with his experience as an Artillery Officer in the Armed Services brings a variety of skills suitable for marketing and knowledgeably serving our clients. With the memory of an elephant and a list of interests that stretches beyond tomorrow's sunrise, Keith's love of life brings humor and levity to any situation. He is our resident PUN expert, travel and restaurant guide, golf enthusiast, and ice cream aficionado. His sweet tooth could easily eat its way into the Guinness Book of Records. Keith and his wife Donna have been married for 39 years. They have three children, two grandchildren and more on the way. He serves on the Board of Minds Eye Information Service that utilizes a side band to broadcast to persons who are blind or print disabled. As co-founder of "Yes We Can" ministry, Keith helps with a weekly food collection at his church and the distribution of canned food and paper products to various food pantries. He also assists with "Meals On Wheels" food deliveries. |
