6 minute read
Alumni Updates
1980s
Brian Addington ’85 was recently inducted as a Fellow into the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Class of 2025. He has served as a judge with the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims for the past 11 years. Brian and his wife reside in Bristol, Tenn.
1990s
Amber Tackett ’97 was promoted to assistant vice president of patient services at Pikeville Medical Center.
At the 2025 PTK Catalyst annual conference Pamela Klinepeter ’99 was honored with the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator Award, which recognizes college leaders who work closely with student leaders to address challenges on campus and in their communities.
2000s
Ruthie Stepp-Webb ’00 made a bold career change by returning to school and earning her teaching certificate from the American College of Education in Elementary Teaching (K–6).
JC Hensley ’04 and his wife Brooke McGehee Hensley, D.O., KYCOM ’13 welcomed their twins Jensyn James and Jhett Jeffery on December 21, 2024. JC also received the best client service excellence score in the region out of 100 advisors and has been recognized among the 2025 Forbes Magazine Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State (KY) for the 4th consecutive year.
Ryan McCoy ’07 has joined WealthWave Premier as a newly licensed associate, beginning a new chapter in the financial industry.
After more than three years as principal of Johnson Central High School, where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to their highest accountability scores in school history, Justin Arms ’08 has taken on a new role as assistant director of transportation and maintenance for Johnson County Schools.
President and CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Jordan Gibson ’08, MBA ’14 was honored with both a Distinguished Service Citation and a Rising Star Award from the Pikeville Rotary Club for his community leadership.
Justin Lincey ’08, MSW ’23 and his wife Dina were married on April 5.
2010s
Starting in July, Tia Smith ’10 will take on a new role as a state literacy coach with the Kentucky Department of Education, supporting a school in Letcher County. While she will miss the classroom after 15 years of teaching, Smith is excited to continue serving students in a different capacity.
Mitch Copley ’11 was named Southeast Market Development Manager of the Year at the 2025 National Sales Meeting, a notable professional achievement.
Ryan Jones ’11 and his wife Kelly Rowe-Jones welcomed their daughter Amelia Rustin Rowe on January 2.
Alice Skinner, D.O., KYCOM ’13 and her husband JT welcomed their son James Harold on February 20. James joins big brother Henry and big sister Annabelle. Alice began serving as president of the medical staff at Mercy Health in January.
Since relocating to Tampa in 2019, Briana Stokes ’13 has climbed the professional ladder and now serves as the personal injury firm manager at her law office.
Merisa Ferrell ’14 began working as projects and media manager at the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Shawna Hall, MBA ’14 was promoted in 2024 to director of finance at Bartec Dispensing Technology, Inc., and now also serves as treasurer of the company’s U.S. board of directors.
Kara (Crowe) Holloway ’15 and her husband Josh welcomed their daughter Lynnlee Renea on January 26. They reside in Maryville, Tenn., where Kara is the main office branch manager for Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union.
Jake ’14 and Caitlyn Sokoll ’15 welcomed their daughter Margot Avery on February 22. Caitlyn is a social worker with Bluegrass Care Navigators and is an adjunct faculty member for the School of Social Work. Jake is a sales representative for BSN Sports and services UPIKE’s sports teams.
Wes ’16 and Jocelyn Barnett ’13 welcomed their son Cooper Gray on October 16, 2024. Wes is an emergency medicine physician in Cynthiana, Ky., and Jocelyn manages his group of ER providers.
Bryce Carden ’17 and his wife Caitlynn welcomed their second daughter Collins Ruth on February 13. Bryce serves as a firefighter in Louisville, Ky.
Andrew French, D.O., KYCOM ’18 was honored with the Extra Mile Award at Holston Medical Group Primary Care at Duffield, Va., where he serves as a dedicated primary care physician going above and beyond for patients.
Rob Rundle, MA ’18 launched Pathfinders Communication Group, LLC.
Luke Hartlage ’19 and his wife Maddy celebrated the arrival of their second child Violet Taylor on December 18, 2024.
2020s
For the past four years, Katie Gayheart ’20 has worked as a newborn nursery nurse. Since beginning her travel nursing career in November 2023, she has cared for newborns in Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland, New Mexico and South Carolina.
Ashley Justice ’20, MSW ’21, MBA ’24 was promoted to assistant director of undergraduate admissions at UPIKE.
Madison Tackett ’20 and her husband Duran welcomed their son Greyson Miles on May 9, 2024.
Bryce ’21 and Sheila Cox ’21 welcomed their daughter Madison on December 13, 2024, and are looking forward to bringing her to her first UPIKE football game.
Luke Humphrey ’22 began a career as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Ky., where his wife Adriane ’20 is a third grade teacher.
After years in marketing leadership for a $100M car wash company, Braxton McKee, MBA ’22 transitioned to the SaaS/tech industry in October 2024. He now serves as team lead for eCommerce at Rinsed.
Gabe Ault, O.D., KYCO ’23 and her husband Seth welcomed their son Myles Paul on February 10. The family resides in Vincennes, Ind., where Gabe is working in private practice.
Autumn Jones ’23 and her fiancé Dillion Norman welcomed their daughter Harlow on December 24, 2024.
Working in Victims of Crime Act advocacy, Savana Sparks ’23 connects crime victims with essential services such as housing, legal aid and compensation, helping them find support.
Alexandria Alexis ’24 began a new career as a case manager at StepStone Family and Youth Services of Kentucky.
Bryce Oliver ’24 has been named to the 2025 Team USA Bowling Squad, earning national recognition for his athletic talent.
Now practicing optometry in Palm Coast, Fla., Jacob Yates, O.D., KYCO ’24 is part of the team at MyEyeDr.
