Julie is the Extension News Strategist at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Julie and her husband and live in Jefferson City, Mo. and have three children, a baby granddaughter and two kitties.

1. Why was ACE the choice for you? I’m a long-time radio broadcaster who made the move to the University of Missouri in early 2022. After decades “on the air” – the last 15 on a national radio agriculture network– I made the switch to help MU Extension Ag & Environment specialists tell THEIR stories of educating Missouri ag producers. I’m on a dynamic team of communicators with the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). My official title is CAFNR Extension News Strategist.
2. What has been your most enjoyable experience over the last year as a member? I joined ACE after seeing all the learning opportunities and the chance to network with cohorts in other states! I enjoyed this year’s conference in Asheville, even while going through vertigo (the Biltmore tour was challenging)!
3. What are you hoping to get out of your ACE membership? I would like to hone my skills through ACE and get ideas on connecting specialists with media.

My name is Jens-Kristian Kiel, and I joined ACE this August. In a career spanning three decades and counting, I've shaped the world of advertising, marketing and information technology on two continents with my contributions. Like Steve Jobs said, my goal is "to put a dent in the world." In Europe, I helped brand two world-leading trade shows and served companies like the ThyssenKrupp AG, Swiss Ruck Insurance and many more. In the United States, I implemented global and national brands in local markets, created train-the-trainer programs and single-handedly raised the revenue of an independent elevator company by 80% in only 18 months. I decided to give back to my adopted home state and joined West Virginia State University as the freshly minted director of agricultural research and Extension communications to create value instead of revenue. I follow in the footsteps of esteemed ACE members Matt Browning and Stacy Herrick.

1. Why was ACE the choice for you? Joining ACE was recommended to me on day one. As a past member of the American Advertising Federation, I keenly understand that membership in a professional association may advance your career, build your personal and professional connections, and provide opportunities to celebrate the ever-changing, unique profession in which we work.
2. What has been your most enjoyable experience over the last year as a member? My most enjoyable experience was getting to know, interact with and learn from ACE members like Latasha Ford, Elizabeth Gregory North, Max Esterhuizen and others at the Southern Region Program Leadership Network (SR-PLN) meeting in Orlando, Florida. Having just worked weeks in public service, I appreciate that they helped me explore communication methods to reach the constituents of the 1890 land-grant institution I joined.
3. What are you hoping to get out of your ACE membership? I plan to learn more as I interact with my ACE peers, immerse myself in the learning communities, attend conferences, and share my knowledge and experience with those eager to see the world through somebody else's eyes as I bring a different perspective to the table – having grown up a world away, worked in an ever-changing profession with a multitude of tools and technologies, and being naturally curious and receptive to new experiences, new methods and new people.