Emmy Award-winning journalist will manage firm's communications activities

Contact: Christine Schicker, The Maximus Group, 404-610-8871, CSchicker@MaximusMG.com

WOODSTOCK, Ga., Jan.6, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Maximus Group today named Emmy Award-winning journalist Alexis Walkenstein its Vice President of Media and Communications. Walkenstein most recently served as the Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach since 2005.

"We are both humbled and excited by the addition of Alexis to our team and to the next phase of growth and adventure for The Maximus Group with her on board," said Lisa Wheeler, General Manager and Co-founder of the multifaceted Catholic communications and marketing firm. "As an integral member of the senior management team, Alexis will lead our communication strategy, and will help direct our organizational strategic planning process and the implementation of high-level counsel and strategies for Maximus' clients. Ultimately, our goal as a company is to do great things for the Church and the Gospel, and we are confident that Alexis' passion and experience will help us serve Christ better in the world."

Walkenstein will directly manage communications activities that promote, enhance and further develop Maximus' brand reputation. She also will be responsible for the development, integration and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relating directly to the company's strategic direction and positioning.

Walkenstein is a lifelong Catholic and native of Framingham, Mass. She is a 1994 graduate of Regis College, Weston, Mass., with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Religious Studies. While at Regis in 1993, she attended American University's prestigious "Washington Semester in Journalism" program, interning at NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.

Walkenstein joined the news team at WHDH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Boston, in 1995 as News Assignment Editor. She went on to serve as WHDH's News Assignment Manager, coordinating the station's coverage of historic news events that included Pope John Paul II's visit to St. Louis, Mo. She served as lead field producer in the U.S. and abroad during coverage of the sexual-abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, of which Boston was the epicenter. She also was in Rome to cover John Paul II's death and funeral in April 2005.

In Dec. 2005, Walkenstein became Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach under Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, and last year was appointed to serve on the newly created Vocations Committee of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Founded in 2005, The Maximus Group is a full-service Catholic marketing and communications firm that builds bridges to sacred and secular audiences. It offers a variety of services, from comprehensive marketing and public relations plans to strategically targeted campaigns and projects. Some of its former and current clients include Ignatius Press, the Theology of the Body Institute, Provident Films, Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, Catholic TV, Holy Family Hospital Foundation of Bethlehem, Motive Entertainment, Our Sunday Visitor and FOCUS.

For more information, please contact Christine Schicker of The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871 or CSchicker@MaximusMG.com