Senior Leadership
Josh Till, Chair
Josh Till, APR, serves as Director of Communications and Marketing for the American Heart Association in Birmingham, Ala. As such, he is tasked with promoting the Association’s mission of being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives through innovative and strategic communications and marketing initiatives.
Prior to joining the American Heart Association in 2017, Josh was the Editor of Communications & Publications for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center, Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. There, he oversaw the center’s publications, web and social media efforts, including the award-winning UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine. Prior to that, Josh was a public relations coordinator at HealthSouth (now Encompass Health), where he handled local media initiatives for physicians and facilities in a 15-state territory covering the Southeast and Midwest.
Josh has received awards for his work from several communications organizations, including the International Association of Business Communicators, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Southern Public Relations Federation, and the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA), where he has been honored with nine Medallion Awards and one Best of Show Award, among others. In 2022, he received the organization’s Philip R. Forrest, Jr. Professional Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by PRCA to an individual practitioner.
Josh became Accredited in Public Relations in 2013 and was recognized as a Senior Practitioner by the Southern Public Relations Federation that same year. He is a former president of the Birmingham chapter of PRCA and has served in several roles on the PRCA state board of directors, including as state president in 2016. A native of Braggs, Alabama, Josh received his public relations degree from Auburn University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2002.
Haley Olver, Vice-Chair
Haley Olver is a media relations manager at IHG Hotels & Resorts in Atlanta focusing on brand storytelling within the hospitality industry. In her role, Haley develops and delivers cut-through news that drives consumer PR coverage for all 17 brands and IHG One Rewards globally. Haley is a 2014 graduate of Auburn University, where she studied public relations.
Tuan Huynh, Secretary
Tuan Huynh is vice-president of Melissa Libby & Associates (MLA), a public relations agency based in Atlanta with clients in the food, beverage and retail industries. Since joining MLA in 2009, he has handled everything from media communications to event planning before landing in his current role in 2015.
Kristin Wooten, Immediate Past Chair
Kristin Wooten is a partner at Babbit Bodner, a top 20 Atlanta communications firm. Combining her global agency experience with Babbit Bodner’s boutique attention and premium client service, Kristin guides clients to determine the best communications and marketing strategy to achieve business goals. Prior to joining Babbit Bodner, Kristin spent more than a decade at global PR agency Edelman, leading high-stakes, integrated communications and marketing programs that have been recognized with top industry honors from PRWeek and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Council Members
Payton Beck: Payton Beck proudly serves her alma mater in Auburn University Advancement as a development coordinator for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the highest-ranking engineering program in the state of Alabama. In this role, she uses her communication, organizational, and project management skills to assist her team of development officers in fundraising for the college. Before her current role, she worked in communications and marketing roles with Auburn University’s Student Affairs and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Payton graduated from Auburn University in 2017 with a degree in public relations. She loves reading, cooking, trying new restaurants, and anything that has to do with Auburn.
Katie Brown: Katie Brown graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. During her time at Auburn, she served as PRSSA treasurer, supported the development of the student-run agency, The Oaks Agency, and served as the organization's first president. She began work at a boutique advertising agency post-graduation while completing her MA in Advertising and Public Relations with a concentration in Marketing Communications at the University of Alabama.
Based out of Dallas, she now serves as the Senior Marketing Director at Knight Electronics, a global manufacturing services company: along with its three subsidiaries; Orion Fans, Io Audio Technologies, and Knight Education.
Jasmine Burton: A former Auburn University PRSSA Chapter President, Jasmine Burton joined NASA’s IMPACT Project in 2022 as a Program Coordinator. In this role, Jasmine utilizes her strengths in project management, community relations, growth strategies, and public relations to advance the agency’s strategic vision with a concentration in Earth Science Data. Before joining the IMPACT team, Jasmine worked as a Sales and Marketing Manager for notable hotel brands, where she propelled their growth and impact. Throughout her years of serving as Vice President of Programs and Events for the LaGrange-Troup Co. County Chamber of Commerce, Jasmine found her love for community engagement and is enthusiastic about continuing those efforts in the Huntsville area.
An East-Central Alabama native, Jasmine attended Auburn University, where she received her BA in Public Relations. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and checking restaurants off her “Huntsville Foodies” bucket list.
Taylor Clark: Taylor Clark currently works in the CEO Chief of Staff office where he leads the Enterprise Experiences and Programs team at USAA, a financial services company that supports the military community, after completing a rotation as the executive sponsor for the 100th anniversary of the company in 2022. Taylor has been with USAA for almost 10 years where he has lead communication teams for every line of business and also led the strategy and operations of the entire Corporate Communications team.
Taylor was born and raised in Atlanta with a few scattered stints throughout the Southern states from Florida to Louisiana. After graduating with an Associate of Fine Arts in Theater from Young Harris College in 1991, he entered the Navy on Pearl Harbor Day in 1992. He was selected for an officer program in 1996 which enrolled him at Auburn University where in three years he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Public Relations and graduated with highest honors in life for convincing his wife, Katie, to marry him.
During his time in the Navy, he held communication leadership roles at Tricare Region Nine and Naval Special Warfare Command in Southern California (where he and his wife completed their happy family with the addition of daughter, Nellie); Submarine Group Ten in his home state of Georgia; U.S. European Command in the Swabia region of Germany; and at the Pentagon where his 20-year naval career culminated with the honor of serving as the sole speechwriter for the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus. Taylor is a servant leader who loves the opportunity to give back to Auburn and the PR department that gave him so much during his time here.
Nancy King Dennis: Nancy King Dennis communicates the message and mission of the Alabama Retail Association to the public as well as its members. The Alabama Retail Association is a trade association representing 4,300 independent merchants and national companies who touch almost every aspect of daily living in Alabama. She joined the Alabama Retail Association in late 2005. She administers Alabama Retail’s website, alabamaretail.org; its magazine, Alabama Retailer; and its award programs, which include the Alabama Retailer of the Year and Alabama Centennial Retailer. She also writes and edits the association’s weekly legislative report, the Alabama Retail Report.
Nancy came to Alabama Retail from the Business Council of Alabama where she had worked since 1997 as manager or director of publications. Before entering the field of public relations, Nancy worked as a journalist or newspaper editor for 17 years, including serving as metro editor of the Montgomery Advertiser. Nancy graduated with honors from Auburn University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations/journalism.
The Southern Public Relations Federation awarded her senior practitioner status in October 2011. She is a member of the Public Relations Council of Alabama Montgomery chapter, which named her its 2002-2003 Practitioner of the Year. She is also on the board of directors for the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature. In 2021, the YMCA of Greater Montgomery named her its Person of the Year.
Ally Mills Dorrough: Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Ally Mills Dorrough, APR, TMP, received her bachelor's in public relations at Auburn University in 2011. Dorrough joined Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism in 2013 as its public relations coordinator and promoted to communications and marketing specialist in 2018. In 2023, she was promoted to communications and marketing manager for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism and Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events, where she oversees PR, communications and marketing efforts for the sports/events, meetings and international markets. Additionally, Dorrough is an elected member of the national PRSA Travel & Tourism Section Executive Committee (named the 2024 national chair), an active member of Alabama PRSA (previously served on the board of directors) and serves on the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation Board of Directors.
Dorrough and her husband, Dan, have been married since 2012 and have two young children. Outside of work, Dorrough enjoys serving with the youth at her church, cooking, baking, preserving and all things Auburn (WAR EAGLE!).
Gabrielle Ferree: Gabrielle Ferree has spent her career scaling up corporate communications and public relations programs for companies ranging from fast-growing technology startups to publicly traded enterprises. She currently works for Slack, the Digital HQ communications tool owned by Salesforce.
Chelsea Clements Grund: Chelsea is a two-time graduate of Auburn University, receiving her BA in Radio, Television & Film in 2011, and her MA in Communication in 2013. Currently, she holds the role of Project Manager – Social Media Creative at The Home Depot.
Meredith Jones Hoing: Meredith Hoing is an experienced communications professional who has worked at the state, federal, and international level. Meredith began her career in Alabama where she worked on Governor Robert Bentley’s reelection campaign serving as the deputy communications director. After helping the campaign win by the largest margin in more than 20 years, Meredith moved to Washington, D.C., where she became the communications director for Congressman Alex Mooney. After Mooney’s win in 2016, Meredith moved to the Senate to run the national press team for Senator John Kennedy. While working for Senator Kennedy, Meredith was able to cultivate relationships with members of the media to establish a national profile for the Senator. While finishing her master’s degree at Georgetown University, Meredith worked at the Embassy of Australia where she helped sustain positive relations between Australia and the United States by connecting Members of Congress to their counterparts from Down Under. From the Embassy, Meredith helped lead the earned media team for Edelman Global Advisory serving as their Director for Earned Media. Most recently, she was recruited to serve on Corning Incorporated’s Media Affairs team. Meredith lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and basset hound.
Leigh Jackson: Leigh started her time at Jackson Spalding in 2013 and is a key member of the agency’s Chick-fil-A team, focusing primarily on national campaigns, menu announcements and sports marketing efforts. Leigh is also a member of the JS Sports team and was an integral part of the team that worked on the College Football Hall of Fame’s relocation to Atlanta.
Jackie Jags: Jackie Jags is currently serving in a development role as Chief of Staff to the Chief Marketing Officer of Chick-fil-A Inc., a restaurant company based in Atlanta, Georgia known for quality food and award-winning customer service. Prior to her current role, Jackie served as Director of Public Relations, leading a team that handled all national media relations, crisis management, national and international restaurant openings and 24/7 support for the existing 2,700+ restaurants. Jackie spent almost eight years working at several public relations firms in New York City prior to Chick-fil-A, including Marina Maher, Havas, Zeno Group and Ketchum. She specialized in healthcare and pharmaceutical communications.
Jackie graduated from Auburn University where she majored in public relations with a minor in music. In 2019 Jackie was recognized as one of PR News' Top Women of the Year and in 2021 she was listed as one of QSR Magazine's Young Restaurant Leaders to watch. She currently lives south of Atlanta with her husband, Paul, and their children, Charlie, Millie and Addie.
Lauren Jordan: Lauren Jordan is a marketing manager for Biolyte based out of Atlanta, GA.
Shea Snider Miller: Shea Snider Miller serves as Press Secretary for Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) in Washington, D.C. Miller first served as Rogers’ fundraising coordinator on his first campaign for Congress in 2002. In Congress, Miller handles all speeches, columns, press releases, press availability and social media for Congressman Rogers. She also works with international, national and local media to further push Rogers’ message out. Miller served two terms as President of the Republican Communications Association, is Vice-president of the Alabama State Society and is a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Washington. Miller lives on Capitol Hill with her husband and two sons and attends National Community Church.
Miller graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Auburn University in 2002. At Auburn, Miller served as President of the College of Liberal Arts her senior year.
Samantha Moore: Samantha Moore is a strategic communications manager at Delta Air Lines in Atlanta supporting employee and operational communications for Airport Customer Service, the largest work group at Delta with 38,000 employees. Samantha leads communications to Delta employees in airports across the globe in areas including safety, policy, HR, staffing and customer experience. Prior to joining Delta in 2021, Samantha worked in public affairs at PERITUS Public Relations in Birmingham, Ala. A woman-owned, boutique PR firm, PERITUS specializes in public affairs and public relations supporting brands, corporations, non-profits and policy issues to move the state forward. Samantha led projects in the energy, tech, broadband and government sectors.
Samantha has been involved in community organizations including Atlanta Growing Leadership of Women (GLOW), Rotaract Club of Birmingham and Workshops Inc. Samantha graduated from Auburn in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. At Auburn, Samantha interned in the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. in 2017. Samantha served in various leadership roles in organizations around campus including chief of staff for the Student Government Association and serving as a member of Lobby Board, advocating for Auburn University’s interests and higher education funding to state legislators in Alabama.
Alyssa Pettus: Alyssa Pettus currently serves as Director of Communications for the Leidos Dynetics Group. In this role, she oversees all communications, messaging, and strategy for the group. Pettus joined the Leidos communications team in 2020, serving as Senior Media Relations Manager and Press Secretary for the Civil and Intelligence Groups. In this role, she led strategic communications and media relations for the groups, while also acting as a key company spokesperson. She came to Leidos from Capitol Hill, where she served as press secretary for Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Prior to that, she held communications roles at Ervin Hill Strategy and NASA.
Pettus holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with minors in both business and Spanish from Auburn University.
Pam Powers-Smith: Pam Powers-Smith is the President of the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce after serving as Director of Business and Industry when moving to Georgia in 2020. She has served several years in Alabama in a variety of roles including Chamber work, downtown development, tourism and projects with Auburn University. She has served on countless nonprofit boards and stays active in professional organizations. She has Public Relations, Political Science and Business degrees from Auburn University.
Edward Reynolds: Edward Reynolds is a major gifts officer for the Auburn University Office of Inclusion and Diversity, where he cultivates meaningful relationships with alumni, corporations and foundations to secure philanthropic support for the university’s inclusion and diversity initiatives.
Nancy Riley: Nancy Riley spent 30 years in various communications roles at IBM, where she most recently served as Communications Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions. Nancy managed the internal and external communications for more than 50 acquisitions and divestitures, including IBM’s purchase of The Weather Company ($2 billion), Cognos ($5 billion), and the sale of IBM’s low-end server business to Lenovo ($2 billion). Now a proud IBM retiree, Nancy provides corporate communications consulting to companies such as Ernst & Young (EY).
Nancy is a cum laude graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations – Speech. She also holds a master’s degree in Communications from Georgia State University. An active volunteer, she serves as a board member of Simple Needs GA, a nonprofit organization that helps families emerging from homelessness. She volunteers as a domestic violence crisis line responder and pet foster parent for Georgia nonprofit, Ahimsa House. She also serves as a pro bono consultant with Community Consulting Teams Atlanta, which helps nonprofits with strategic planning.
Lindsey Watts: After graduating from Auburn University in 2015, Lindsey Watts pursued her career in Atlanta, first as an intern with Edelman and later as the PR Coordinator with the city's CVB. She became an ATL pro while promoting the city as a leading convention and leisure destination and honed her skills curating experiences for international journalists, pitching radio row during Super Bowl LIII, and learning the ins and outs of the city’s hospitality scene. She then joined the High Museum of Art’s communications team and spent two years telling the story of one of the Southeast’s leading art destinations and roaming the galleries whenever she had the chance. At Bread & Butter, Lindsey supports PR efforts for a variety of F&B and hotel clients.