Eric Gregory to deliver 2025 James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence Lecture

The University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information will host the 2025 James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence Lecture at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 in Grand Ballroom C of the Gatton Student Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

This year’s executive-in-residence lecturer is Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA). Gregory, a veteran communicator with more than 35 years of experience in governmental affairs, marketing, journalism and strategic public relations, will also receive the executive-in-residence title during the program.

As president of the 145-year-old KDA, Gregory oversees all aspects of the nonprofit trade association that promotes, protects and elevates Kentucky’s signature bourbon and distilled spirits industry, including the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences.

Gregory joined KDA in 2008 after serving seven years as governmental affairs manager at East Kentucky Power Cooperative. Previously, he was vice president of public affairs for Preston-Osborne, a Lexington-based public relations, political consulting, marketing and research firm.

A UK journalism graduate, Gregory began his career as an award-winning journalist at the Lexington Herald-Leader and later as a reporter and editor at the Honolulu Advertiser. He has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Also being recognized during the program is Jay Blanton, who will receive the 2025 Excellence in Public Relations Award. Blanton serves as the University of Kentucky’s vice president for university relations and chief communications officer. Blanton’s career spans journalism, politics, government and higher education. He has helped lead communications for state and local leaders and worked in the private sector. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in higher education from the University of Kentucky.

Beginning in 2000, the Bowling Executive-In-Residence series, through an endowment from Joseph M. Cullman III, recognizes the legacy of James C. Bowling. Bowling served as the assistant chairman of Philip Morris Companies Inc. He attended UK and later served as a member of the UK Development Council. In addition to serving on several national boards, Bowling also worked with the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, and the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Each year, a nationally recognized public relations professional delivers an address and meets with students interested in pursuing a public relations career. The lecture also features the announcement of a scholarship for a senior integrated strategic communication major with an emphasis in public relations.