Johnathan’s original career goal was to be a screenwriter in Hollywood, but his early exposure to newspapering ultimately led him down the path toward public relations. He is a team member based in our Athens office, supporting our education, sports and utilities clients. He leads account work for Georgia Transmission Corporation and the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, as well as key pieces of business for Primrose Schools. He also contributes to a number of our sports clients, including the Atlanta Braves.

His prior career stops include stints on the external affairs staff of UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and three years as the public relations coordinator for the Georgia Museum of Art, the state’s largest public-funded art museum. While there, Johnathan discovered an interest in fundraising communications, which led to his own business, Front Porch Consulting, a public relations practice focused on not-for-profits.

Johnathan began his career as a part-time reporter at the Athens Banner-Herald when he was a freshman at the University of Georgia. After graduating, he was assigned to the sports desk and won an Associated Press Sports Editors Award for Enterprise Writing during his first year on the job. In 2003, he was promoted to Assistant News Editor, where he acquired management skills supervising reporters whose tenure at the paper eclipsed his own.

He received his bachelor degree in Telecommunications Management from the Grady College at UGA, focusing on radio, television and online journalism. His minor was in Political Science.

A native of Augusta, Ga., Johnathan now lives in Watkinsville with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Emma Kate. Currently, he is involved with the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, and he is a past president of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens and the Athens Area Homeless Shelter. His community leadership was recognized by the Athens Banner Herald, which named him a “40 Under 40” rising star in 2011. He admits to being the family cook and has recurring fantasies about one day opening a seaside bar and grill.