ECD Chapter Spotlight: Thoroughbred Chapter
ECD OCTOBER CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT: PRSA THOROUGHBRED CHAPTER
The East Central District “Chapter Spotlight” recognition gallops into October with the spotlight on the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter.
Thoroughbred was founded in 1984 to serve PR pros in Lexington, Central and Eastern Kentucky. The chapter currently has 75 members including 15 APR’s. Members work in a variety of industries, including Education, Nonprofit, Corporate, Agency, Travel and Tourism, and Independent Practitioners
President Katie Neal said the Chapter’s “Biggest Project” is in the works. She said, “stay tuned” for the Chapter’s inaugural PR Conference. Katie said a “Fun Fact” about the Chapter is its status as a “Triple Crown” PRSA-ECD PRominent Award winners, with recognitions in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Thoroughbred Chapter, as noted on its website, was well represented at the ECD Conference in September with 20% of the total participants. “We’re proud to share that our chapter received the PRominent Award for the third consecutive year,” the Chapter posted. “Special thanks to our student members, professional members and board leaders who attended — and congratulations to Chapter President Katie Neal for presenting on battling perfectionism, imposter syndrome and burnout.”
The “Secret to a Happy Chapter” according to Katie is a combination of courage and commitment.
“Variety and experimentation without fear of failure!” said Katie. “From high-caliber programming to community service to regional networking to professional development, PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter offers something for every busy and aspiring PR professional in Central and Eastern Kentucky.”
2025 Thoroughbred Officers:
PRSSA Liaison: Brittney Kinison, Frontier Nursing University
President: Katie Neal, ACC, Katie Neal Coaching & Consulting
President-Elect: Marc Whitt, University of Kentucky
Immediate Past President: Kim Brown, Strategic Marketing and Communications Executive
Secretary, APR Co-Chair: Amy Preske, APR, Booze PR
Treasurer & APR Co-Chair: Brant Welch, APR, Farmers National Bank of Danville
Programming Chair: Tina Bryson, Christian Appalachian Project
Communications Co-Chair (Internal Comms): Michele Hill, Kentucky League of Cities
Communications Co-Chair (External Comms): Dan Koett, Affinity Media & Public Relations
Social Media Chair: Haley Broughton, Berea College
Technology Chair: Leigh Anne Hiatt, Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Membership Chair: Risa Richardson, APR, NiSource/Columbia Gas of Kentucky
Member-at-Large, APR & Awards Co-Chair: Holly Wiemers, APR, University of Kentucky – Ag Equine Programs