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.
Elizabethtown, KY
KENNY RAMBO
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.
He is a former chairman of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce and recently served as co-chair of the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College University Center Capital Campaign which raised $2.1 million+ to provide high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to the Central Kentucky region.
Westfield, IN
STEPHANIE APPLE
Stephanie has more than 15 years of experience in marketing communications, working with some of the world’s most well-known companies in hospitality, retail, education and financial services. She has led many successful outreach campaigns, integrated marketing strategies and complex public relations efforts for a variety of clients, including professional services firms, workforce development organizations, nonprofits and more.
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 COORDINATORAndrew is on the front lines of the fight against Artificial Intelligence, writing one paragraph at a time. As a former journalist, he has a mastery of AP style as well as casual writing styles appealing to many stakeholders. Andrew works behind the scenes for most clients, but they all know his great press releases, copy, and technical writing.
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.
BRI JANES
ACCOUNT COORDINATORBardstown, KY
Bri is a lover of lists and a born project manager. She joined Heartland after spending time in the classroom and the real estate industry. This unique perspective provides her clients with a strategic and stakeholder-minded approach to marketing and communications.
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.
KATIE KURTZ
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEKatie is the master of task management and a client favorite for those managing multiple projects for multiple audiences. She is known among clients for her expertise in creating and executing long-term marketing strategies and processes. When she is not working with clients, she is supporting her daughters’ athletic endeavors or hiking across America (and calling it vacation).
KASEY MCREARY
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEKasey loves black turtlenecks, loud talking and sharing her opinions. Onboarding clients and working with nonprofits are some of her favorite things to do at the office, but she loves a good challenge on behalf of her clients when the situation arises. Kasey struggles to say “no,” so you can often find her volunteering at church and her children’s schools as well as the local baseball fields and tennis courts (when the mom taxi demands).
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.
BETSY MCELWEE
ART DIRECTORBetsy is the resident musical aficionado. Whether it be Kendrick Lamar or Radiohead, she is always introducing co-workers to a wide range of musical acts they have to check out. Betsy is an artist at heart and makes us all look hip and cool. She is also a military wife and tough as nails. (That’s what she said).
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.
HEATHER WHELAN
MARKETING PROJECT MANAGERHeather doesn’t work in aviation, but she specializes in air traffic control at Heartland when it comes to digital and video services. She keeps the entire team on schedule and makes sure we don’t drop the ball.
WHITNEY Wurzel
ACCOUNT COORDINATORBardstown, KY
Out of the forests of central Kentucky comes the greatest snake tamer and spider enthusiast the Commonwealth will ever know. Fortunately for Heartland clients, this mythical creature has a name, and it is Whitney Wurzel. Whitney is an account coordinator and all in when it comes to her clients providing account management services with a special emphasis on copywriting. Yep, she loves to write.