Katie transplanted to Polk County in 1997, but after a considerable amount of moving around as a child, she considers Winter Haven her true hometown. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and was valedictorian of her 2005 graduating class in UCF’s Rosen School of Hospitality Management. While the tourism industry is a passion, she discovered early on in her work life that the communications role was where her interest piqued. Katie served as the Director of Reception, Public Relations and Customer Service for Bond Clinic, P.A. in Winter Haven for over three years before joining Clark/Nikdel/Powell in 2011. She is a member of the Dick Pope/Polk County Florida Public Relations Association, served as the founding Chairwoman of the Winter Haven Young Professionals Group and is serving as the 2010-2011 Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Foundation chairwoman.
10 Random Things
- I love to sing. I can’t sing, but I love to. My Saturday mornings are spent “gleening” i.e. cleaning while singing songs from the show Glee. I hear song cues in just about every conversation I have.
- I am a triplet – fraternal – two girls and a boy. My sister has much better hair than I do.
- I love to organize.
- I’ve run four marathons with my Dad. He is good company during long runs because he talks a lot, and I don’t have to say anything but the occasional “uh huh.”
- I am a dog fanatic. Australian Shepherd is my favorite breed.
- I know a lot of random and insignificant facts about celebrities. I blame my unhealthy addiction to People magazine.
- I still skip down Main Street when I go to the Magic Kingdom. How can you not?
- I had multiple posters of Gene Kelly on my wall as a kid. If it weren’t for the lack of coordination, I could have been a great tap dancer.
- I stick my tongue out when I am intensely thinking.
- I love peanut butter and chocolate combinations.