Jennifer is the publisher of The Alaska 100 as well as principle partner and president/CEO of Thompson & Co. Public Relations. She is in charge of ensuring that everything the agency produces is strategic, consistent and exceeds client expectations. She is often involved at the planning level of new projects and manages several of the agency’s clients herself. She excels at articulating concepts, helping clients define their goals and translating them into solid public relations campaigns.
As a manager, she is a strong believer in a cohesive agency structure and a vibrant culture. She spends a great deal of time and resources ensuring her team understands the importance of work/life balance and pursuing their passions to sustain a creative atmosphere in the agency. She also loves coffee, good shoes and sunshine.
Liz Baker
Liz is editor of The Alaska 100 as well as vice president at Thompson & Co. Public Relations. Prior to heading up T&C’s Houston office beginning in 2016, Liz spent nearly four years in the agency’s Anchorage office. She offers a wide range of clients senior counsel and expertise in account planning as well as more tactical communications and media relations support.
Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina. Away from the office, you are likely to find Liz exploring the outdoors, rooting for her favorite football teams, reveling in live music or hiding behind a book, magazine or newspaper.
Gary Scott
Gary has been with Thompson & Co. since 2005. He is an expert at identifying story angles and opportunities, and is constantly looking at the social media scene to ensure Thompson & Co. clients receive ink not only in traditional media outlets but also on blogs and on social media sites. Gary oversees the agency’s new media programs and is responsible for developing strategies that make agency clients stand out in the digital age. In addition to plotting social-media strategy, Gary leads several of the agency’s top accounts. Prior to his tenure at Thompson & Co., Gary served as the marketing communications manager at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska’s top ski resort, and was chief of press for the 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Alpine Championships.
Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from Drew University, New Jersey and is a board member of the Public Relations Society of America Alaska chapter.
Meghan Aftosmis
Meghan has led Thompson & Co.’s New York office since 2006 and handles national media relations for the agency’s clients. A former journalist with a passion for travel, she has excellent writing skills, story concepts and insider knowledge of the media industry. She talks with editors and writers at the nation’s largest publications on a daily basis securing coverage and organizing media events and briefings in New York for the agency’s clients.
Prior to joining the agency, Meghan worked as a journalist at National Geographic Traveler and CosmoGIRL! magazines. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Spanish language certificate from Ohio University. In her spare time, she volunteers for several non-profits and serves on the steering committee for Young Professionals for CARE.
Ally Day
Ally Day is a contributor to The Alaska 100. Ally is also a senior account manager at T&C, where she manages a wide variety of the agency’s clients, including travel accounts, telecom and health care. In addition to overseeing media outreach, community relations and social media development on behalf of clients, Ally is adept at formulating strategic public relations plans and balances her hit-the-ground-running attitude with her detail-oriented personality in helping clients achieve their individual goals.
Ally also helps lead T&C’s media training program, which serves clients and community members interested in learning more about how best to navigate media requests and interviews. Born and raised in Anchorage, Ally received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nevada and a certificate of completion from the Denver Publishing Institute at the University of Denver.
Bri Kelly
A contributor to The Alaska 100, Bri is originally from Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. She left the comforts of home in 2011 and made the trek north to join the T&C in Alaska. Bri has worked on a wide range of accounts at T&C, gaining valuable knowledge in the travel and tourism industries, statewide and nationally, and also works daily with local, regional and national media.
Bri earned bachelor’s degrees in both public relations and Spanish from the University of Idaho and in her spare time, is found either curled up with a good book or out exploring the trails of Alaska by shoe or ski.
Emily McLaughlin
Emily’s lifelong love of writing steered her toward public relations, and she puts her skills to work every day as a contributor to The Alaska 100 and account executive at T&C. Emily graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public communications. She’s a lover of bluegrass music and has spent many summers teaching bluegrass camps around Alaska. These days, she spends her summers squeezing in as many bluegrass festivals as possible.
Kailee Wallis
Raised in Healy, Alaska, Kailee has a love for writing, graphic design and client relations, which led her to join the T&C team shortly after graduating from University of Alaska Anchorage with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in journalism and public communications.
In addition to contributing to The Alaska 100, Kailee serves as an account coordinator, drafting social media content, designing graphics, coordinating media queries and distributing press releases. In her free time, Kailee can either be found painting or reading a good book.
Kelsey Fiedler
A contributor to The Alaska 100 and account coordinator in T&C’s Anchorage office, Kelsey grew up in the town of St. Marys, Kansas. She moved to Alaska after graduating from Benedictine College with a degree in journalism and mass communications. From one small town to another, Kelsey now resides in Girdwood, Alaska. She spends most of her free time discovering and exploring all the views, coffee stands and thrifty shops her new home has to offer.
Ashleigh Ebert
Raised in Helena, Montana, Ashleigh Ebert fell in love with Alaska after originally vowing to only stay for two years. Ashleigh joined T&C in 2017 after seven years with KTUU-TV in Anchorage. She graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in central Asian studies.
In addition to contributing to The Alaska 100, Ashleigh serves as an account executive at the agency, where she wears many hats. In a given day, you’ll find Ashleigh pitching Alaska to travel and tourism journalists, coordinating media queries and distributing press releases. In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys hiking with her dog Dexter, exploring new places in Alaska or having a nice dinner out in downtown.
Sarah Erkmann Ward
In addition to contributing to The Alaska 100, Sarah is the president of Blueprint Alaska, an advocacy consultancy located in Anchorage. She thrives off working with clients that want to raise their profile, drive change and be part of the public conversation.
Sarah is a lifelong Alaskan with years of experience in strategic communication and public affairs, including high-profile ballot measures and statewide candidates. In 2012, Sarah was named one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40, and as the Public Relations Society of America Alaska chapter’s “Communicator of the Year” in 2017.
Mary Simton
Alaska born and raised, Mary Simton is a graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage where she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism. She spent more than five years in the newsroom writing everything from TV scripts to breaking news web stories for CBS-affiliate KTVA 11 News in Anchorage. She has since switched gears and is now helping share the stories of T&C’s clients and the Last Frontier for The Alaska 100.
Jovell Rennie
Jovell’s knack for photography and keen understanding of social media brought him to the Thompson & Co. team in the early part of 2019. Since then, he’s been using his photographs, as well as his words, to share the stories that intrigue. On a weekend, you’re likely to find him in the Anchorage Museum or one of the neighboring boutique galleries in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.
Thomas McIntyre
Thomas specializes in digital content. He brings a lifetime of online experience to T&C and The Alaska 100. After obtaining a journalism degree with an emphasis in strategic communications, he’s been exploring that field in various ways – from covering sports through words and film, to working in corporate communications at a major telecom company. Each stop has further developed his skills in creating and managing digital content. Thomas uses those skills to help clients optimize their online presence. Outside of the office you’ll find him climbing rocks, dunking basketballs, riding bikes and winning Ultimate Frisbee championships.
Becca Pilipchuk
Born and raised in Chicago, Becca moved to Alaska to work and play in the mountains. She graduated from DePaul University where she studied public relations and advertising. Like any Chicagoan, Becca loves to talk about deep dish pizza and life in the Windy City.
With experience in nonprofit, in-house, and agency sectors, Becca has a background in many facets of public relations. She especially loves writing, editing and dreaming up creative pitches. As a junior account executive at T&C, Becca supports clients with strong, compelling copy and big ideas. When Becca isn’t writing or pitching, she’s wandering around her new home state with her pup, Scout.
Cassi Campbell
A contributor to The Alaska 100, Cassi has a passion for telling stories strategically. Born-and-raised in Alaska, she chased her dream of playing collegiate hockey to the Midwest. After earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications with concentrations in broadcast journalism and psychology from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls she returned to Alaska. Cassi is currently scheduled to receive her master’s degree in strategic communications in December 2019 from Purdue University.
When not in the office, Cassi can be found in an ice rink coaching or playing hockey, or in the mountains with her Instagram famous dog, Eleanor.
Madison McEnaney
Madison McEnaney is a lifelong Alaskan, originally from Eagle River. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Journalism and Public Communications program in May 2019. While there, Madison discovered her passion for writing and storytelling in the community of Anchorage. Since then, she has operated her own seasonal coffee business in Talkeetna. When not working, Madison can be found at a local concert or at one of her favorite coffee shops.
Caitlin Weaver
A contributor to The Alaska 100 and a social media coordinator, Caitlin Weaver was raised on a small family farm in Illinois, where she learned important life skills like teamwork, perseverance and to always be a sleeve roller upper. She obtained a degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois before spending two years exploring Alaska and meeting its people as a reporter and anchor for Your Alaska Link.She brings her combined experiences in digital content creation, writing and market analysis to T&C’s digital team.Outside the office, you can find Caitlin adventuring, camera in hand and dog and husband by her side.
Sage Dudick
Being a lifelong Alaskan, it’s no coincidence that Sage found himself returning to the snow-filled winters of Alaska after following a dream of playing collegiate baseball in Oregon, deciding he was over the rain-filled winters. The combination of his interest in marketing, as well as enjoying being the bridge that connects businesses to individuals is where Sage found himself deciding to start a career in public relations. Sage graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in Dec. 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Tony Spiroski
Tony is a junior account executive for Blueprint Alaska, specializing in social media and content marketing. Committed to making a difference and making contributions within the communities he lives and works in, Tony currently serves on the executive boards of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Group, the GOP’s Alaska Young Republicans, and the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s Anchorage Chapter, and formerly served on the executive board of the Mat-Su CVB. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with focuses in sustainability and design and humanities, while double minoring in public planning policy management and business administration. In his free time, Tony enjoys reading satire, attending live shows, and photographing the Last Frontier.
