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Home » Featured Alumni

Chad Yelton

College of Communication and Information's Fall 2020 Restart.

See University of Kentucky's Fall 2020 Restart Plans.

Major: 
Integrated Strategic Communication
Year Graduated: 
1997
Hometown: 
Villa Hills, KY
Current City: 
Villa Hills, KY
Current Employer: 
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Top played song on your playlist?: 
Beautiful Day by U2
Where has your CI degree taken you?: 

My degree has taken me to Cincinnati to work for one of the top zoos in the nation. It has given me some amazing opportunities and experiences I’ll never forget. I was fortunate enough to help document the release of one our manatees in Miami, Florida as part of our Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Program.  I have also been able to share some many extraordinary stories including: the first birth of a Sumatran rhino in more than 112 years; a hippo named Fiona, born six weeks early and a baby gorilla that was raised by human surrogates. I’ve also had the privilege of leading two groups to Kenya and Tanzania, where I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with another UK Alumni and college roommate.

What is your favorite thing about your job?: 

 Working alongside some pretty incredible people. I love what I do and still consider it the best job in the world after 20 years.

What¹s the most valuable thing you learned in CI?: 

I’ve learned that creativity, passion and teamwork can take you a long way.

What advice would you give to current CI students?: 

Enjoy the journey.  Looking back, it felt like everyone was racing through college to move on to a career. Enjoy the college experience. You’ll miss it one day. Find something you are passionate about and stick with it. I live by the phrase, “Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be happy.”

Other Featured Alumni

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Blair Conner
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Kaelyn Query
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Matt Murray
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Justin Allen
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2009
Jacob Tamme
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Maggie Owens
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Rebecca Stratton
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Jennifer Pizzurro
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Kali Jakobi
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Nancy Wiser
President, Wiser Strategies
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1996
Christina Buswell
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Chase Fairchild
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Carla Curtsinger
Speaker | Writer | Executive Coach
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1985
Brentin Ocker
Account Director, Delta Air Lines at Octagon
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2009
Kate (Amy) Buckley
Founder/CEO of Buckley Media Group
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Luke Reedy
Post Production Coordinator on "Deception" Season 1 (ABC)
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Hannah Ellis
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Keith Elkins
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Ashley Westerman
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Kevin Haney
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Information Communication Technology
2016
Amanda Stamper
Director of Communications/Spokeswoman for KY Governor Matt Bevin
Integrated Strategic Communication
2005
Eric Gregory
President, Kentucky Distillers’ Association
Communication
1994
Rick Maynard
Senior Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Tempur Sealy
Journalism
1989
Michael Morgan
University of Kentucky HealthCare
Information Communication Technology
2016
Alecia Whitaker
Young adult author
Integrated Strategic Communication
2002
Blair Helwig
Associate Director at CBS Sports
Journalism
2013
J.D. Shelburne
Country Music Artist (touring)
Telecommunications (now Media Arts and Studies)
2007
Brad Hebebrand
Senior Global Creative Director at Under Armour
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1997
Ashley York
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Journalism
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Ty Halpin
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Journalism
1996
Earl F. "Marty" Martin
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1984
Michelle Milam
Mars, Inc. Associate Brand Manager
Integrated Strategic Communication
2010
Cathy Black
CBS News, Senior Producer, Broadcast Marketing
Telecommunications (now Media Arts & Studies)
1985
Scott Tomlin
Director of Basketball Communications for the Dallas Mavericks
Communication
2002
Bryan Kennedy
Reporter/Anchor with WXXV-TV News 25
Broadcast Journalism
2010
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