• Wiser, Hemlepp & Associates
• Nancy Wiser, Principal
• Mary Hemlepp, Principal

Mary H. Hemlepp, APR, Principal

Mary Hemlepp is co-owner of Wiser, Hemlepp & Associates, a Kentucky public relations, marketing and research firm established in 2000. Her greatest strength lies in problem solving through methodical analysis and strategic communication. Additionally, her journalism degree prepared her to think like a reporter, dig deep for answers and develop strong writing skills.

Before opening her own business, Mary was senior account manager for one of Kentucky’s largest independent public relations firms. She was responsible for new business development as well as marketing communication plans, crisis management, research coordination and media relations.

Mary also was director of public relations for one of Kentucky’s largest advertising agencies. During her tenure there, she served as public relations counsel to clients in the restaurant and retail fields as well as several non-profit organizations.

On the corporate side, Mary worked in communications for SuperAmerica Group, a former division of Ashland, Inc. She developed internal and external communications for the gasoline/convenience store chain, which had more than 700 outlets. She worked with the media on a national scope, worked on zoning, gasoline spill and underground storage tank issues, developed reports, speeches and presentations for the president and handled communication with the company’s 10,000 plus employees.

She also served as director of public relations and marketing for King’s Daughters Medical Center in northeastern Kentucky. There, she was responsible for advertising, public relations and special events for the hospital, its clinics and medical staff.

Additionally, Mary worked as freelance writer for The Daily Independent in Ashland and is a contributing columnist for Business Lexington. She also is a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) national speakers’ bureau team.

Mary is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and serves on the board of the Thoroughbred Chapter. She serves on the board of the Kentucky Society for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing, the Lexington Clinic Foundation Board of Trustees and is a member of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee.
     
She also served in various positions on the board of the Lexington Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, through which she was recognized as the New Woman Business Owner for 2003 and was twice a finalist for the Public Policy Advocate award. She’s served on local boards for charitable organizations and served on the national boards of RetireSafe and the Senior Center for Health & Security.

Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in news editorial journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.