Department of Communication

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Arthur Elliott (Ad Agency in Charlotte, NC) - Media Manager
Major: Public Relations with Media Studies Minor
University Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi

Bio:
Jasmine Ahlgren is a results-driven Media Manager with expertise in digital advertising, social media strategy, and data-driven marketing. At Arthur Elliott, she develops and optimizes multi-channel ad campaigns, leveraging analytics to drive measurable results. With experience in social media management at Dole Food Company, she excels in content creation, influencer collaborations, and audience engagement. Passionate about emerging trends and performance marketing, Jasmine combines creativity with strategy to maximize impact.

Pronouns: he/him/his
Job: Freelance Cinematographer
Major: EM/B
University Involvement: App State Football Video

Bio: Will Allen is a Cinematographer/Camera Operator. With 7 years of experience and an Emmy Nomination for Cinematography, he is working with many different companies across the country. He has shot a multitude of genres such as High Speed Sports, Music Videos, Documentaries, Feature Films, and Television Commercials.

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Marketing Consultant @ LPL Financial
Major: Communications with a concentration in Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA - served as VP & Presidents, Momentum Dance Club - served as Secretary & President

Bio:
Alexandra Berg is an integrated marketing communications who currently works as a Marketing Consultant at LPL Financial. She graduated from Appalachian State University in Spring of 2021, having majored in communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in dance studies. Before joining LPL, Alexandra was the digital marketing manager at Charlotte Ballet, the local professional dance organization in Charlotte NC. With a passion for creativity, storytelling, and establishing meaningful relationships, what excites Alexandra most about her work is using her skills to build connections with people from all walks of life. Alexandra resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, and when she isn't working, you will find her spending time with friends and family, enjoying the local arts & culture scene in Charlotte, or reading.

Pronouns: She/her
Job: Grandfather Golf & Country Club- Communications & Administrative Assistant
Major: Advertising
University Involvement: Cheer Team

Bio:
My name is Abby Bernard, and I graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2024. While at App State, I spent two years as a marketing intern at Beech Mountain Resort, focusing on social media, website content, and events. After graduation, I joined Grandfather Golf & Country Club as the Club Communication and Administrative Assistant. In this role, I have gained valuable experience in hospitality communications, particularly within the private club industry, working on video content, website and email management, and event promotions.

Job: Executive Editor Mountain Times Publications and editor Watauga Democrat
Major: Journalism
University Involvement: The Appalachian

Bio: Moss Brennan graduated from Appalachian State University with a journalism degree in May 2021. He started at the Watauga Democrat in January 2021 as a reporter and was named editor in September. In August 2024, Brennan was named executive editor of Mountain Times Publications, overseeing five print and online papers as well as all special publications. At App State, he served numerous roles on The Appalachian including news editor, editor-in-chief and political editor during the 2020 election. Brennan also volunteers at Watauga County Rescue Squad and Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT, technical rescuer and firefighter.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Senior Marketing Manager, American Cancer Society; Owner, Kat Bundy Strategic Marketing
Major: Comms - Public Relations; English - Creative Writing
University Involvement: Sigma Tau Delta

Bio:
"Kat Bundy is a strategic marketing leader with more than a decade of experience crafting and sharing the stories of impactful brands across numerous industries. Kat serves as a senior marketing manager for the American Cancer Society’s enterprise brand strategy team, owns a consulting business, and co-owns a property management company.
Kat resides on South Holston Lake in Bristol, Tennessee with her partner Jake and their ever-changing menagerie of critters collected from roadsides and dumpsters everywhere. In her heaps of free time, she enjoys all things plants, every moment on the water, and pretty much any book she lays a hand on.
Full bio available at: https://katbundy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KatBundy_Bio_2024.pdf"

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Organizational Change Manager, Information Technology Services, Appalachian State University
Major: Technical Photography and Communication, concentration in Journalism
University Involvement: Apps (events), photography club, Moravian Fellowship (independently formed meetups), worked many jobs locally as well

Bio:
"Ellen completed bachelor's degrees in Communication, with a concentration in Journalism and Technical Photography in 2005 and a master's degree in Digital Communication from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2024 after defending her thesis on “Communication & Change Management Planning for Information Technology in Higher Education.” She is now serving as the first Organizational Change Manager for Information Technology Services at App State. Previously, she served as the first Director of Marketing, Communication & Engagement for the College of Arts and Sciences from 2017-2022. Before that, she managed her own business as a wedding and portrait photographer for almost ten years in the High Country, worked in tourism and for several local small businesses. Ellen has experience in writing, event promotion and planning, design, photography, web and social media management, marketing, internal communication strategy, organizational change management, interpersonal communication, and alumni engagement. "

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Stanly Community College - Graphic Design and Digital Marketing Specialist
Major: Advertising: Creative emphasis

Bio:
Elizabeth is a creative designer specializing in branding, digital marketing, and visual storytelling. As a Graphic Design and Digital Marketing Specialist at Stanly Community College, she develops compelling content and marketing materials that enhance brand identity and audience engagement. A graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in creative advertising and a minor in digital marketing, she has experience in social media strategy, advertising design, and corporate marketing. With a passion for bold, eye-catching visuals, Elizabeth focuses on bringing brands to life through innovative and impactful design.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Communications Associate at Habitat for Humanity of Wake County
Major: Journalism & Public Relations
University Involvement: The Appalachian

Bio: Shelby graduated from App State in 2023 with degrees in journalism and public relations. She moved back to her hometown post-grad and started as a Communications Associate with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. Within her department, she is concentrated in all things Habitat ReStore— strategizing and creating content, fulfilling design and collateral requests, developing email newsletters and monitoring social analytics for 10 locations across the Triangle. When she’s not behind the camera, you might find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen!

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: WE Communications, Senior Account Executive
Major: Communications PR - App State; MBA - Elon
University Involvement: PRSSA, Entropy Dance Crew, Unzipped Fashion Magazine, China Study Abroad Program

Bio:
"Brielle Cornacchio is a public relations and marketing communications professional with experience driving brand storytelling and media engagement for high-profile consumer brands. She is currently a Senior Account Executive at WE Communications where she has led integrated campaigns for Microsoft, LEGO, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, iRobot, and Columbia Sportswear, securing top-tier media coverage, managing influencer partnerships, and executing experiential events.

Previously, Brielle worked at Everlast Worldwide in NYC, where she supported marketing initiatives and international licensing efforts. She holds a B.S. in Communication from Appalachian State University with minors in Business & Dance, as well as an MBA from Elon University with a focus in Corporate Communications.

She contributed insights and was quoted in the book Engaging Gen Z: Lessons to Effectively Engage Generation Z via Marketing, Social Media, Retail, Work & School for her expertise in digital trends and brand strategy. Passionate about creative storytelling, trendspotting, and media strategy, Brielle is always looking for innovative ways to connect brands with culture."

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Retention Marketing Manager at Carpe
Major: Communication, PR w/ a minor in Digital Marketing
University Involvement: Kappa Delta, PRSSA

Bio: Julia Cox is the Retention Marketing Manager at Carpe, a company that provides sweat solutions for all over the body. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 2023 with a B.S. in Communication, Public Relations, and a minor in Digital Marketing. Based in Raleigh, NC, Julia specializes in customer retention strategies, email and SMS marketing, and campaign optimization. With a passion for storytelling and audience engagement, she enjoys finding creative ways to connect with customers. When she’s not at Carpe, she’s trying new coffee shops, hanging out with friends, or exploring new trails with her dog, Nellie!

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: The Green Room Theatre, Marketing and Communications Manager
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA (President), AMA

Bio:
Hi, I'm Autumn! I currently work as the Marketing and Communications Manager at The Green Room Theatre in Newton, NC. After graduating from Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Relations, I had the chance to intern with Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, where I learned a lot about marketing in the arts world.

While at Appalachian, I was actively involved in PRSSA, even serving as Chapter President, and I also helped out with communications for the College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve had the chance to explore different areas of marketing and communications, from PR writing to visual content creation, and even worked as a brand ambassador for Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea.

When I’m not in the office, you can find me acting in commercials and films, which is another big passion of mine. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned along the way and help students navigate their own journeys!

Pronouns: She/her
Job: 79°West - Community Coordinator | Falco Studios LLC - CEO
Major: EMB
University Involvement: AppTv, panorama, app speaks

Bio:
Community coordinator with 79°West in Pittsboro, NC and owner of Falco Studios LLC. Experience in producing, editing, management and event coverage.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: City of Kannapolis Parks and Recreation - Recreation Coordinator
Major: Communication Studies

Bio:
I graduated from Appalachian State University in May of 2024, following graduation I began my career as a Recreation Program Assistant for the City of Kannapolis following graduation. I was an intern for the City of Kannapolis prior to graduation and have recently been promoted to Recreation Coordinator over the Swanee Theatre in Kannapolis.

Pronouns: He/him
Job: NC Department of Justice
Major: Advertising/Business
University Involvement: Pi Kappa Alpha

Bio:
Larken Egleston is the Congressional District Director for U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson (NC-14). Egleston previously served two terms on the Charlotte City Council and represented Republic National Distributing Company as a brand ambassador for Western North Carolina. He has also written for local publications including the Charlotte Observer, Elevate Magazine and Creative Loafing.
Egleston serves on the North Carolina advisory committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, serves as an advisory board member for Central Piedmont Community College’s Culinary Arts program, and serves on the board of directors for Preservation NC. He was previously the City of Charlotte’s representative on the Centralina Regional Council as well as the NC League of Municipalities, was a volunteer firefighter for the Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Carolinas Chapter Board of Directors, and has served the local and state Democratic Party as President of the Mecklenburg County Young Democrats, a member of the State Executive Committee, and a local precinct chair. Egleston was also chair of the City Council’s Charlotte International Cabinet and vice chair of the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Egleston served as a delegate to the 2016 and 2020 Democratic National Conventions and has been named one of Charlotte’s Top 30 Under 30 (2010) by Elevate Lifestyle, Top 40 Under 40 (2020) by the Charlotte Business Journal, and is a Hunt Institute State Policy Fellow as well as a Political Partner of the Truman Project.
Larken received an associate degree from Johnson & Wales University and a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, where he serves on the Board of Visitors.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: medi USA; Product Management Analyst
Major: Communication, Advertising
University Involvement: Departmental Honors

Bio: Gracyn graduated from App State in the Spring of 2024 with a degree in Communications, Advertising. She has gone on to become a Product Management Analyst at medi USA; where she focuses on product and packaging design as well as forecasting. Prior to this she was a Marketing Assistant with a real estate company in Blowing Rock, NC.

Pronouns: he/him
Job: semi-retired
Major: Speech/Broadcasting

Bio:
"A Charlotte NC native, Mr. Flynn has been involved with the media for over 40 years. He is known locally as an actor, writer and for his 22 years behind the mike and in front of the camera in commercial broadcasting. His acting credits include roles with professional and amateur theater companies both locally and regionally, and the occasional film role.
James K.’s full-time “gig” is as a voice actor. He is heard on radio and TV commercials locally, nationally and internationally for such diverse clients as Ben and Jerry’s, Expedia, Barnabas Health, Planet Fitness and many more. A practiced Master of Ceremonies, he has lent his voice to business conventions, marching band competitions, four regional Scottish Highland Games and spent 14 years as the Public Address Announcer for the NBA’s Hornets and WNBA’s Sting. He is also a published author and an award-winning op-ed columnist.
He and his wife Donna, married 44 years, live in Matthews.
Theater Credits – Fiddler on the Roof(4), Orphans, Jesus Christ-Superstar, Oldest Living Graduate, Shennandoah, Mousetrap, Dylan, I Do I Do!, I’m Not Rappaport
Charlotte Repertory Theater – Miss Evers’ Boys, Inherit the Wind, Midsummer’s Night Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Diary of Anne Frank.
CPCC Theater -The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, The Lion in Winter, Will Rogers’ Follies, Damn Yankees(2), Spamalot, Li’l Abner, Over the River and Through the Woods, A Comedy of Tenors, Anything Goes.
Actors Theater of Charlotte - Fly By Night, Georgia McBride.
Starving Artists - Faith Healer, Don’t Cry for Me Margret Mitchell, 14 years with The Birth, Dracula Bites, the touring production of Blessed Assurance"

Pronouns: He/Him
Job: M Booth, Senior Digital Strategist
Major: Communication/PR
University Involvement: APPS, ACT blood drive committee, 2 semesters with WASU

Bio:
Spencer currently resides in Winston-Salem, NC, with his beloved dog and cat. He leads digital strategy for Google for Education and Google.org, running social media accounts for both brands. Previously, he has managed successful PR and social campaigns for GRAMMY-winning artists, CPG brands, and Fortune 500 companies.

Pronouns: he/him
Job: Range Cinema Owner, Operator
Major: EM/B
University Involvement: AppTV, Outdoor Programs

Bio: Ryan Gladstone is a Steadicam, Gimbal, and Remote Head operator based in the Southeast, United States. With over a decade of working experience, Ryan is known for his infectious attitude, technical expertise, and operating instincts.

Job: Prometheus Group, Product Marketing Manager
Major: Communication with a focus on Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA

Bio:
Kyleigh Grace graduated from Appalachian State University in 2018 with a degree in Communication. She began her career in Operations before transitioning to Content Writing in 2020. She started Prometheus Group as a Content Specialist in 2022, and is now a Product Marketing Manager.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Appalachian State University, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement
Major: Communications, Advertising
University Involvement: University Honors Program, Lambda Pi Eta, ASU Ad Club

Bio: Sara (Leinbach) Harkey completed her Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Advertising and a minor in Marketing in 2013. Following graduation, she worked for several years at Lees-McRae College in digital marketing and communications. She was excited to come back to her alma mater in 2020 with the Office of Alumni Engagement at Appalachian State University. She now serves as the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement for Communications & Services, overseeing all alumni communications, including: the alumni website and social media platforms, event registrations, mass emails, graphic design, branding and swag.

Pronouns: she/ her
Job: Associate Publisher/ Editor
Major: Electronic Media Broadcasting
University Involvement: App TV

Bio:
"Faith Hatton is the associate publisher and editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in Fayetteville, NC.

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Hatton holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media Broadcasting. From 2019-2021, prior to joining GFBJ, Hatton was a multimedia journalist and news anchor at KMOT, a TV station in Minot, North Dakota affiliated with NBC and Fox,she also provided content as a multimedia journalist for the channel’s sister station, KFYR-TV.

Following the end of her time in North Dakota, Hatton returned to North Carolina and joined the GFBJ team in July of 2022 as assistant editor before being promoted to editor in January of 2023.

Along with managing editorial content focusing on business news across a seven county coverage area, Hatton has overseen continued growth of the Journal including launching the area’s first Health Care Heroes event for which Hatton served as the Master of Ceremonies. That role would later continue into fall of 2024 where Hatton would become the regular MC for the Journal’s quarterly Power Breakfast Series.

After two years of working as Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, Hatton was promoted to associate publisher/editor effective as of Jan. 20, 2025.
With this new role, Hatton continues to work as editor while overseeing continued growth, expanding the Journal’s team and developing marketing strategies to help strengthen brand recognition. She also works to develop partnerships with local businesses and professionals."

Pronouns: he/him
Job: Asheville Citizen Times, Reporter
Major: BS Journalism BA Political Science
University Involvement: The Appalachian

Bio:
Will Hofmann is the growth and development reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. A North Carolina native and Appalachian State University alum, Will previously reported on local politics, infrastructure developments, and community affairs for The Appalachian.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Town of Morrisville, Strategic Performance Manager
Major: Communications, Concentration in Corporate Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA

Bio:
Erin Hudson is the Strategic Performance Manager and Legislative Liaison (and current Interim Town Clerk) for the Town of Morrisville, located just outside of Raleigh. She earned a BS in Communication with a concentration in Corporate Public Relations from Appalachian State University in 2004 and a Master of Public Administration through the Distance Education Program, Forsyth Cohort, in 2014. Even though she daydreamed of having a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle of a Public Relations Executive, she found the next best thing – the unglamorous and highly stable life of a local government professional! August 2025 will mark the start of Erin’s 18th year in local government service, where she has worked in communities ranging in size from just over 21,000 to nearly 237,000 residents. One of her most accomplished traits is adaptability: being able to mold and melt into situations and conversations, irrespective of the subject matter or audience. She attributes much of this skill to a strong communications background… and Appalachian State University.

Pronouns: He/him
Job: Sports Business Journal | Tech Reporter
Major: Communications - Journalism
University Involvement: The Appalachian. I was also an RA for two years.

Bio:
Ethan Joyce covers technology and professional sports for the Sports Business Journal. He previously worked at the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, Rocky Mount (N.C.) Telegram and the Greenwood (S.C.) Index-Journal as a college beat writer and high school sports reporter. He is an eight-time honoree of the Associated Press Sports Editors national sports writing contest and was recognized in the 2024 installment of the "This Year's Best Sports Writing" book series.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Marketing Director, Branch Wealth Partners and Plumber Today
Major: Communication and Advertising
University Involvement: The Appalachian, Student Made Store, Second Story Media, Delta Zeta, CRU

Bio:
As Marketing Director for multiple startups, I drive growth and optimize performance across diverse business landscapes. With a strong foundation in digital marketing and content creation, I excel at crafting and executing strategic campaigns that deliver measurable results. Every decision is fueled by a creative outlook. From crafting engaging, educational videos for the plumbing company, to developing and launching an online learning platform for the real estate side, I've cultivated a diverse skill set that yields consistent success and drive tangible business growth.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Watauga County Schools, Director of Communications/Community Relations
Major: Journalism
University Involvement: Transfer Student Organization and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society

Bio:
Bailey is the Director of Communications/Community Relations for Watauga County Schools. She joined the WCS leadership team in October 2023 after working in administration for Ashe County Schools. Bailey graduated from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!) in December 2019 with a B.S. in Journalism/Communications and a General Business minor. Prior to joining the Mountaineers and rocking the black and gold, she graduated from Wilkes Community College with an A.A Degree. During her undergraduate career at ASU, she enjoyed being involved in the Transfer Student Organization and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.
After graduating from Appalachian State University, she was employed as a full-time staff writer for Ashe Post & Times and Mountain Times Publications. During that time, she covered many beats, one of which was local education. She attended many Ashe County Board of Education meetings and enjoyed learning about how school systems function. Not long after, she switched careers and started her journey working for NC public schools. While working as the Administrative Assistant at the Central Office for ACS, she wore many hats, including writing press releases and managing the district's three social media accounts. She soon discovered that School Public Relations was a career option and that the field was growing. In 2021, she discovered her true passion after attending her first NCSPRA (North Carolina School Public Relations Association) virtual meeting. What a joy it is to be able to combine two of her favorite fields/passions -Journalism/Public Relations and Education!

Pronouns: he/him
Job: Co-Founder, Head of Production, Loyd Visuals
Major: Electronic Media/Broadcasting
University Involvement: The Appalachian, Film Club, Documentary Film Services

Bio:
Maleek is a filmmaker and co-owner of Loyd Visuals, a video production agency based out of Charlotte, NC. Originally from Greensboro, NC, he spent his youth doing all things creative, from music production to dancing, to building out music videos in Windows Movie Maker. He officially started his filmmaking journey in high school, where he took a digital media class that jump-started his interest in the field. He competed in SkillsUSA competitions throughout high school and won silver in the Digital Cinema national competition at the age of 15. He went on to study Electronic Media and Broadcasting at Appalachian State University and was able to start a video production company with his two older brothers during his sophomore year. He fell in love with the process of capturing stories and the life around him. He now operates as the Head of Production at Loyd Visuals, managing the creative process and crews for commercial and documentary film projects. He's worked with companies like ESPN, Airbnb, Honeywell, NFL, and more.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Social Media Manager, ERA Real Estate
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: APPS, PRSSA, SOUL

Bio:
I am an introverted extrovert with a knack for thriving in both digital and traditional settings. As the Social Media Manager for ERA Real Estate, part of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., I execute brand campaigns that align with our parent company’s objectives while fostering engagement within our network. My expertise in marketing, communications, and event management spans diverse industries, including mortgage, non-profit, theatre, local government, and real estate. With a primary focus on social media, I craft intentional branding and marketing strategies to propel business objectives forward.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I’m deeply passionate about supporting others and have dedicated over a decade to advocating for the Tourette Syndrome community. Based in the Greater Charlotte area, I cherish spending quality time with my husband and daughter, whether it’s making memories at home or exploring the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. I currently serve on the PBS Charlotte Young Leaders Council.

Pronouns: She, Her
Job: Targetbase (OMC Company)
Major: Communications/Marketing
University Involvement: Chi Omega Sorority, Concert Group

Bio:
Melissa leads the healthcare practice at Targetbase and is Omnicom’s Global Client Lead for one of the holding company’s largest client. Melissa has worked within healthcare for the last two decades, focusing much of her time on pharmaceutical and health & wellness marketing. She is known for her ability to build high performing teams with her engaging and inspirational leadership style that drive strong results. She is a servant heart leader with a human-first mentality.

Melissa is passionate about collaboration, igniting ideas from all team members, and ensuring positive patient outcomes. Her award-winning work has touched a number of categories: type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular, neurology, immunology, respiratory, urology, and rare/ultra-rare diseases such as:
● Eosinophilic Asthma
● AGPS
● Lupus
● General Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)
● TK2d
● Genetic COPD

When Melissa isn’t at the office, she’s focused on her family and raising four children and a very proud Appalachian State University Graduate!

Mel’s superpower? Servant-hearted leadership (and her lemon cake).

Pronouns: He/Him
Job: Admissions Specialist
Major: Communications, Public Relations
University Involvement: The Appalachian, Student Leadership Consultants, Club Hub, The McCaskey Center

Bio:
"Cristian graduated from Appalachian State University in 2020 with a degree in Communications, Public Relations. He currently works at Caldwell Community College as an Admissions Specialist and is deeply passionate about higher education the power of strong communication skills.

As the oldest of 8 siblings and a first-generation college student, who attended Piedmont Community College before transferring to App State, he is determined to break down barriers and make education more accessible for all, especially marginalized populations.

While attending App State, he was a member of The Appalachian student newspaper, including serving as Marketing Director, then Business Manager. His time with The Appalachian remains one of the single most impactful experiences in his education.

His other passions include public policy, quotes, Marvel, environmental initiatives, pop culture (especially 90s/00s), leadership, video/board gaming, traveling, food, and NPOs.
He is an avid believer in pursuing positive change from the ground up through community action and empathy. He is inspired by the words of Margaret Mead, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Job: Author
Major: Communications/PR
University Involvement: WASU, Sigma Phi Epsilon

Bio:
Mike McMackin graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Communication Arts in 1985. That summer he went to work at WBTW-TV as the 11 o’clock anchor from the station’s Myrtle Beach bureau. He switched to producing newscasts and moved to Birmingham in 1988 as the weekend news producer at WBRC-TV. In the fall of 1989 he became the station’s first sports producer. He was named the senior sports producer at WXIA-TV in Atlanta in 1998. He started working at the Weather Channel as a show producer in 1999. He was named Executive Producer for AM programming in 2004. In 2009 he resigned his position and bought a Fetch! Pet Care franchise in 2010. He is a 2-time regional Emmy Award winner and a multiple winner of state AP Broadcasting awards. In 2024, his book, Gridiron Journeys: How I Fell In Love With College Football, was published. He lives in Roswell, Georgia.

Job: Executive Director -- The Centennial Authority/Lenovo Center
Major: Political Science/Communications
University Involvement: WASU, Student Government, Summer Orientation Leader, Sigma Nu Fraternity

Bio:
Since 2011, Jeff Merritt has served as the Executive Director for the Centennial Authority. The Authority oversees operations of the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, the 19,000-seat multi-purpose home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball.
Prior to coming to the Centennial Authority, Jeff was Business Development Director for Clancy & Theys Construction Company from 2007 until 2011; Eastern Regional Director for Government Affairs for KB Home from 2003-2007; and Vice President for Government and Community Affairs for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce from 1998 until 2003. He began his career in 1989 as a Press Assistant to then-North Carolina Governor Jim Martin.
Jeff is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned a bachelor’s in Political Science with a concentration in Communications and North Carolina State University where he earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. He is a Fellow of the North Carolina Institute for Political Leadership and The German Marshall Fund of the United States. In 2007, he received a Marshall Memorial Fellowship. He was recognized in 2001 as one of the Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, is a recipient of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine and was recognized by the Raleigh News & Observer as the Most Influential Person in Raleigh-Durham Sports for 2023.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, and a liaison to the Board of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. He is a past president of the Appalachian State Alumni Council, Chairman of Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication Professional Advisory Board and former member of the University’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board. He served from 2006 until 2013 as the Wake County Commissioner’s appointee to the Triangle Transit Authority (GoTriangle) Board of Trustees and served for more than two years as the agency’s Chairman. In 2005, he chaired Leadership Raleigh. He has had leadership roles in committees tasked with passing local and county bond efforts for school construction, transportation, parks and open space.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Reporter for the Charleston Regional Business Journal
Major: Journalism and Public Relations (double major)
University Involvement: The Appalachian, the App State Student Media Board, Women's Club Basketball

Bio:
Originally from Winston-Salem, Hollie graduated from App State in May of 2024. Following graduation, she moved straight to Charleston, SC to work for the local business journal. Her time at App State with The Appalachian and great professors from the communications department gave her a lead when going into a journalism career. So far the job has involved a lot of networking and getting to know the ins-and-outs of the business community. Recently, Hollie’s stories placed first in two categories for the South Carolina Press Association.

Job: Morning Meteorologist, WFMY News 2
Major: Electronic Media/Broadcasting
University Involvement: I was the Program Director, then Station Manager at WASU-FM.

Bio:
"Christian Morgan joined the WFMY team of meteorologists in the Spring of 2019. Christian has deep roots in the Triad. He was born and raised in Asheboro. He grew up watching WFMY News 2 and loves the forecasting challenge of the ever-changing weather in the Carolinas.
Christian graduated from Appalachian State University in 2014, where he was the station manager and morning show host for the college radio station, WASU-FM. After graduation Christian worked full time in Triad radio for the well-known stations Rock 92 and 107.5 KZL. He was always fascinated with the weather, never scared of thunderstorms but always excited to watch them and ponder the what, why, and how of weather. He's a big snow lover too, even after his years at school in the North Carolina mountains, he still loves a good snowfall, although they're hard to come by around here lately.
His love for weather prompted him to head back to school and obtain his meteorology credentials through Penn State University, finishing up the program in December 2020.
When he’s not on the air or tracking Triad weather, you can find him performing across the state as the drummer and lead singer in one of the Carolina’s best party bands, Bantum Rooster. He also loves spending time outdoors and cheering on his Mountaineers in Boone.
Oh, and he never turns down an invite to the golf course. Always a friendly face in the Triad, if you see him, he’d love for you to say hello and introduce yourself!"

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Peter Millar LLC; Golf Marketing Coordinator
Major: Major Communication Studies, Minor Sustainable Development
University Involvement: Kappa Delta Sorority

Bio: Rachel Myers is the Golf Marketing Coordinator at Peter Millar, a luxury apparel brand based in Raleigh, NC. She graduated from Appalachian State in 2023 with a B.S. in Communication Studies and a minor in Sustainable Development. Rachel first discovered her passion for golf marketing while working as the Communications and Merchandising Assistant at Blowing Rock Country Club during her time at App. Now, at Peter Millar, she manages ambassador and media outfitting, supports wholesale partners, streamlines order fulfillment, and helps elevate the brand experience for VIPs. Outside of work, she’s exploring Raleigh’s local spots, perfecting her golf swing, or spoiling her dog, Bunker.

Pronouns: He/Him
Job: Blue Ridge Energy/Digital Communications Manager
Major: Communications, Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA, Sigma Nu Fraternity

Bio:
Jacob Puckett is the Digital Communications Manager at Blue Ridge Energy, an electric cooperative based in northwest North Carolina. With extensive experience in public relations, he leads the development and execution of social media strategies, SEO, corporate digital communication strategy, and content creation for publications and advertising.

As the host and producer of the Unplugged podcast, Jacob explores the latest trends and challenges in the energy industry, offering insights and stories from one of America’s leading electric cooperatives. He also contributes to media relations, corporate marketing, and serves as the primary videographer, graphic designer, and photographer at Blue Ridge Energy.

Jacob holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication, Public Relations from Appalachian State University and a Master's degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University.

Job: Part time mom + entrepreneur + part time @ Lazarus Design Team, Growth Strategist
Major: Public Relations
University Involvement: Club Soccer + AppTV Hi, Neighbor Host

Bio:
Juliet Rath is a marketing strategist and content creator whose viral videos, like Arborcrest Gardens (435K views), Beech Mountain (65K views), Off the Rack Vintage (75K views), and more, have driven real growth for local businesses. A Boone Chamber Under 40 award nominee, she mentors young professionals, offers free marketing audits, and owns 3 Airbnb's with her wonderful husband, Matt. When she’s not dreaming of new business ventures, she's enjoying life as a new mom with her beautiful son, Beau.

Pronouns: she/her
Job: Owner of Lindsay Ray Advertising & Marketer for Nasaspaceflight.com
Major: Creative Advertising Minor in Marketing
University Involvement: Studied Abroad in London with the Com Department.

Bio:
Lindsay Ray is a North Carolina native and an Appalachian State University graduate, having earned her degree in Creative Advertising with a minor in Marketing in 2024. After graduating, Lindsay founded and continues to own and operate her own advertising and marketing company, where she specializes in creating innovative campaigns and providing strategic marketing solutions. In addition to running her own business, Lindsay has recently joined the team at Nasaspaceflight.com, where she leverages her marketing expertise to help expand the company's presence. With a passion for creativity and a strong business acumen, Lindsay is dedicated to growing her entrepreneurial ventures and contributing to the success of forward-thinking brands.

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Zenith | Supervisor, Strategy
Major: Communications, Advertising
University Involvement: Alpha Gamma Delta, Club Lacrosse, APPS, Study Abroad

Bio:
McKenna is a media strategist who blends her love of data with her background in creative advertising by putting together comms strategies and integrated media campaigns for high-profile brands. Since graduating in 2022, McKenna applied her internship and extracurricular experience to grow in the advertising industry - currently serving as a Supervisor of Strategy at Zenith, where she works on the Inspire Brands account for Dunkin’. In this role, she executes marketplace and audience research, delivers data-led media recommendations, and manages the multi-million dollar paid media budget for Dunkin'.

Pronouns: he/him/his
Job: American Cancer Society - Director of Social Media & Content Strategy
Major: Music Industry Studies
University Involvement: APPS

Bio: Matt Rossino is a social media and content strategist with 10+ years of experience driving engagement and brand growth. As Director of Social Media & Content Strategy at the American Cancer Society, he leads digital storytelling to connect audiences and amplify the organization’s mission. Passionate about meaningful connections, he creates authentic, data-driven content that makes an impact.

Job: FitOn Health - Chief Strategy Officer
Major: BS in Communications
University Involvement: Delta Chi

Bio:
Todd Slawter is an experienced executive in the healthcare industry, with over 30 years of expertise. He has held executive roles in Fortune 50 companies and has served as an advisor and in senior leadership positions for start-ups. Throughout his career, Todd has developed a diverse skill set that includes sales and sales management, provider contracting and negotiations, product and plan design, marketing, managing complex distribution models, private fundraising, creative strategy, leading change, and compensation strategy.

Todd graduated from Appalachian State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and minors in Advertising and Marketing. After several relocations during his career, he currently resides in Charleston, SC.

Pronouns: he/him
Job: On3, Producer of 'The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell'
Major: Journalism and Media Studies
University Involvement: App State Football, The Appalachian

Bio: Kaiden Smith is a former football student-athlete at Appalachian State, where he was a two-time Sun Belt All-Conference player and a Senior Reporter for The Appalachian. He also had the honor of delivering the December 2020 commencement speech for App State’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. After his time at App State, he spent two years writing for the On3 National News Desk before transitioning into his current role as the producer for The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell. In addition, he spent two years as a co-host for The Frary and Smith Podcast covering Sun Belt football and currently serves as the host and producer of The Mountaineer Insider Podcast for App State’s NIL Collective.

Pronouns: he/him/his
Job: FOX8 WGHP - News Producer
Major: EM/B
University Involvement: 90.5 WASU, The Appalachian

Bio:
My name is Devin Stewart, and I graduated from Appalachian State University in December 2022. I am now a morning news producer at FOX8 WGHP in High Point, NC. I was born and raised in the Piedmont-Triad, specifically Randolph County. I enjoy doing anything outdoors. I also enjoy spending time at the beach. I am a big NASCAR fan! I’m excited to return to App State to see former classmates and professors, and interact with the next generation of journalists! I was part of 90.5 WASU, Appalachian Weekly News and The Appalachian!

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Brandsymbol - Client Relationship Specialist
Major: Communication, Public Relations
University Involvement: PRSSA and Alpha Phi

Bio:
I graduated from App State in May 2024, with a BS in Communications, Public Relations. Following my summer Marketing Internship, I became a Client Relationship Specialist for Brandsymbol. Brandsymbol is a smaller brand naming agency located in Charlotte that mostly assists pharmaceutical companies in drug, medical device, and clinical trial naming but we also work with some B2B/C companies as well. Brand naming and logo/design are our two major specialties, but we also offer corporate identity, brand strategy, market research, regulatory screening, etc.

Pronouns: He/Him
Job: Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, Vice President Industry Technology
Major: BSBA Business Information Systems
University Involvement: WASU, The Appalachian

Bio:
Will Vickers
Arch Mortgage Insurance Company

Will Vickers is the Vice President of Industry Technology at Arch Mortgage Insurance (Arch MI), where he manages the Digital Channel, builds strategic partnerships with industry technology providers, and provides technology consulting to Arch MI customers.

Will has 37 years of experience in financial services technology with Arch MI, Black Knight Financial Services, First Union Bank, Wachovia Bank Mortgage and three additional mortgage insurance (MI) firms.

Pronouns: He/Him
Job: LEARFIELD - Vice President / Broadcast
Major: Electronic Media/Broadcasting
University Involvement: WASU, Athletics

Bio:
Adam graduated from Appalachian State University in 2004 with a degree in Communication and a concentration in Electronic Media/Broadcasting. After spending two years doing audio and video work in athletics, he joined LEARFIELD in Winston-Salem. He serves as the vice president for broadcast operations, overseeing an outfit that produces live play-by-play and various college sports audio programming for over 40 schools nationwide. This fall, Adam will also enter his 10th season as the football radio voice at App State.

Pronouns: She/Her
Job: Relevate Real Estate - Real Estate Agent
Major: Communication
University Involvement: PRSSA, App State Athletics (Video Crew & Social Media), & Communication Departmental Honors

Bio:
Arianne Woodall graduated from Appalachian State University in 2018 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Psychology. She began her career in marketing at a national restaurant brand before transitioning to residential real estate in Raleigh, NC. Since joining Relevate Real Estate in 2021, she has contributed to process improvement, pricing analysis, and marketing, ultimately becoming a Real Estate Agent in 2023. Arianne thrives in sales, enjoying the opportunity to connect with her community and guide clients through buying and selling homes in the Triangle.