Committed to sharing the client’s story
We are a full-service marketing, digital and public relations firm. What does “full-service” mean and why does it matter to your communications strategy? Every client has different objectives and different resources available. When you work with Heartland, we customize your strategy with the following in-house services.
Leadership
Kenny Rambo
PRESIDENT & CEOElizabethtown, KY
Kenny Rambo is the President/CEO of the Elizabethtown-based marketing, public relations and digital firm Heartland. In this role, Kenny helps clients build meaningful brands and deliver consistent messages with a focus on strategic outcomes. Since, 2007, Kenny has also been a part of ECTC Workforce Solutions as a Workforce Trainer, presenting workshops on soft skills to thousands of employees from companies throughout central Kentucky.
In 2016, he co-founded the non-profit Give 270, Inc. which has raised over $1.5 million for worthwhile causes through efforts including the online bourbon raffles Whiskey Wednesdays and Bourbon Strong, the Kentucky Craft Beer Festival and The Eric & Joe Show.
HEATHER WHELAN
MARKETING PROJECT MANAGERAs part of the Operations and Client Services team, Heather serves as Marketing Project Manager at Heartland, helping keep projects, people and client needs moving forward. Heather has been with Heartland for 11 years and truly appreciates the opportunity to work alongside a talented team while building meaningful relationships with clients and helping bring their goals to life. She loves the variety of her role and the joy that comes from being part of so many different projects and partnerships.
Heartland Team
ASHLEY ABELL
VIDEOGRAPHERAshley specializes in diverse filmmaking including short and long format videos. Ashley also owns and operates Abell Media, a wedding video production service that stays busy during the wedding season. When she is not filming, she is in Honduras, her second home, or following Taylor Swift’s concert tour.
JOE BENNETT
CONTENT DEVELOPERJoe is the resident creative who always offers a fresh perspective and a fun point of view. When he is not writing scripts, creating social media, or brainstorming an advertising campaign, he is volunteering at his church or preparing for the upcoming edition of The Eric and Joe Show, a local variety show.
MEGAN BLANEY
ACCOUNT COORDINATORBardstown, KY
Megan is a former newspaper reporter and government public information officer. She uses this experience to navigate the ever-changing waters of the media world. She is regularly communicating with local, regional and national reporters and distributing meaningful press releases and pitches.
Andrew Critchelow
ACCOUNT COORDINATORWhether it’s through press releases, blogs, social media content, video scripts or even children’s books, Andrew enjoys bringing clients’ messages to life in a voice that reflects their brand and connects with their audience. He has been part of the Heartland team for five years, balancing his role as a copywriter with media relations, account management and the occasional appearance as a video extra. On the weekends, you might find him playing guitar at local venues (although the hair probably already gave that away).
jenN embrey
GRAPHIC DESIGNERJenn is Heartland’s resident graphic design maestro, with experience in graphic design, marketing and communications, including packaging, branding, print and digital media. When she’s not bringing clients’ visions to life, Jennifer enjoys volunteering, supporting her daughters’ Girl Scout cookie businesses with Troop #1147, riding roller coasters and trying her hand at gardening. She shares a full and busy life with her husband, two daughters, two bonus sons, her cat, Piper, and her 16-year-old dog, Wookie.
jASON KERR
WEB DEVELOPERPRP, Louisville, KY
Jason is Heartland’s resident animator and chalk artist when the unique needs of our client’s rise. However, much of his working time is spent on web developments and maintenance. When a site needs to be created or updated, there is a good chance that Jason will be getting the client up and running.
ANDREW JOHNSON
VIDEOGRAPHERAndrew really stands out in a crowd – that happens when you are a 6’4” ginger. He is also an experienced videographer who has an artistic eye for details and movement. Andrew is well known for two things: getting hit by a car and living to tell the story and for his work as an extra in feature films.
GREG MILBY
COMMUNITY STOREYTELLERGreg loves a good story. He is always telling them, especially those taking place in central Kentucky. Greg is the Community Storyteller for Kentucky’s Heartland, a regional digital outlet producing videos and podcasts that celebrate all that is great in our region. Greg is a hopeless fan of the University of Louisville and the Tennessee Titans. Your day is coming Greg… hopefully.
CHRIS PORTER
WEB DEVELOPERLebanon, KY
Chris is the coolest and best-smelling team member. He is the talent behind a large majority of Heartland’s websites and has an uncanny ability to translate the client’s vision into a digital masterpiece. Chris is an advocate for teaching elementary and middle school students web design skills through free coding classes.
Rachel Ritchie
ACCOUNT MANAGERAs an Account Manager, Rachel loves connecting with people, telling their stories and finding new ways to help clients creatively impact their communities. This enthusiasm for creating community connections blossomed when she was just nine years old, founding Rachel’s Fun for Everyone Project in her home community of Vine Grove. This passion has continued, recently leading her to earn a master’s in marketing from the University of Kentucky. Whether collaborating with clients, mentoring young entrepreneurs or planning her next trip, Rachel is driven by helping others turn their ideas into impact while having fun along the way
WHITNEY Wurzel
ACCOUNT MANAGERBardstown, KY
For Whitney, creating, researching, and sharing stories has been a common thread throughout her career. Before joining Heartland as an Account Manager, Whitney spent 20 years working in the environmental field with various federal, state, university, and nonprofit agencies, specializing in environmental education and public communications. She resides in rural Nelson County with her husband, daughter, dogs, cats, and chickens, and enjoys being outdoors.