Our Team

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.

PRESIDENT
Elizabethtown, KY

KENNY RAMBO

Kenny has been a leader in the adoption and use of new media since 2003 and has helped over 500 organizations across nearly two dozen states plan, develop and execute their online strategy. He is invited regularly to give talks on the use of web and social media as part of an organization’s internal and external communications efforts.

VICE PRESIDENT
Westfiled, 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
VIDEOGRAPHER

Ashley 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 DEVELOPER

Joe 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 COORDINATOR
Bardstown, 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 COORDINATOR

Andrew 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 DEVELOPER
PRP, 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 COORDINATOR
Bardstown, 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
VIDEOGRAPHER

Andrew 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 MANAGER

Katie 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 EXECUTIVE

Kasey 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 STOREYTELLER

Greg 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 DIRECTOR

Betsy 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 DEVELOPER
Lebanon, 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.

SARAH STRADER
ACCOUNT MANAGER

Sarah loves a good project sheet and walking her clients through a project from start to finish. She is committed to providing the very best for each of her clients in every capacity. When she is not working with clients, she is the genius behind the camera lens for Sarah Strader Photography or she’s floating on the river. That’s what cattle baronesses do.

HEATHER WHELAN
MARKETING PROJECT MANAGER

Heather 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.