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 STAFF

 Den Gardner

Den Gardner is AAEA's executive director. Gardner has been in the communications business for 25 years, including marketing, publishing and association experience. A 1973 graduate of Minnesota State University--Mankato in Mankato, Minn., with a degree in journalism and broadcasting, Gardner owns a marketing consulting business based in New Prague, Minn., focusing on agricultural communications, green industry and sports marketing.

Kenna Rathai

Kenna Rathai manages logistics for the Agricultural Media Summit and co-edits The ByLine newsletter for AAEA. Rathai joined Gardner & Gardner Communications in February 2007. She is a freelance writer and independent public relations consultant with 15 years of agency experience, focusing mostly on agricultural clients. She earned an agricultural communications degree from the University of Illinois.

Barbara Ulschmid

Barbara Ulschmid is the Associate Director for the American Agricultural Editors' Association (AAEA) and manages member-related duties for AAEA and Gardner and Gardner Communications. A graduate of the College of St Benedict, she joined the AAEA staff in June of 2007. In addition to her work with AAEA, she also works with MSHSL, TOCA and Project Evergreen.

Kathy Heyda

Kathy Heyda is in charge of AAEA Membership Renewals and the AAEA Membership Directory.  A 1973 graduate of Minnesota State University--Mankato in Mankato, MN, she earned her teaching degree in Business Education and Biology.  She also is music director at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery, MN. In addition to her work with AAEA, she works with TOCA Membership Renewals and the TOCA Membership Directory. She joined the AAEA Staff in September 2007.