Stender started his professional design career as a freelancer while still in high school, designing logos and artwork for local businesses and organizations, and thirty years later, he continues to follow his passion of design. While attending the University of Vermont, where he studied studio art with concentrations in advertising and consumer marketing, Stender worked in the Sports Information Department within the Public Relations organization, applying his design skills and knowledge to creating the first website for the department, as well as layout and design on the publications for UVM Athletics. After graduation, Stender moved on to advertising at the Burlington Free Press and served as Art Director for College Street Magazine. He then joined General Dynamics and moved up through the ranks to become the Manager of Multimedia Services, overseeing a creative team of designers, multimedia specialists, and videographers while serving as the creative lead. Stender has also served as Senior Manager of Creative Solutions at Lockheed Martin, overseeing a nation-wide team of nearly 80 creative employees of various disciplines. At corporate headquarters of BAE Systems, Inc., Stender was the Director of Creative Media Services, serving as a brand champion and lead creative for the company. In March of 2016, Stender formed Rum Runner Multimedia Ltd. Co. based in his home state of Vermont.