Our professional staff takes a team approach so clients benefit from our collective creativity, expertise and experience. We have intimate knowledge of Charlotte and the Carolinas -- their markets, media, history and key players. Our involvement in the community and keen understanding of the forces shaping its future enhance our ability to serve clients.

J. Kathryn Blanchard
President
kblanchard@crown-com.com

A 21-year public relations veteran and a native Charlottean, Kathryn provides strong leadership to the professional team at Crown. A graduate of Appalachian State University (ASU) with a degree in communication arts/public relations, she started her career in non-profit public relations. Kathryn is active in the community. She has previously served on the boards of the Hornets' Nest Girl Scout Council, the Bridge Jobs Program, the Children's Law Center and ASU's Loyalty Fund. Kathryn currently serves as president-North America of IPREX; she is also a member of ASU’s Department of Communications Advisory Board and the Alumni Corporate Committee.

K. Chantal Oberoi
Director of Communications

Chantal joined Crown in 1999 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism/public relations. An avid writer, Chantal reported for UNC's newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel. Her background includes public relations for Jennings & Company in Chapel Hill, the UNC Nursing School and The Women's Center, a non-profit organization in Chapel Hill. At Crown, Chantal focuses on writing and editing, development of collateral material and special events. She volunteers for organizations including the American Red Cross, March of Dimes and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

John James
Art Director

John has more than seven year's experience in print and media design in the Charlotte market. Prior to joining Crown, John served as lead designer and prepress manager with Letter-Perfect, Inc. He has worked with a variety of clients in a wide array of fields including fine art, higher education, architecture and graphic design. At Crown, he is responsible for the conceptualization and creation of visual projects ranging from identity design to web and print media. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University.

Josh Bassinger
Manager of Communications

Josh joined Crown in June 2003 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism/public relations. His background includes public relations for Jennings & Company in Chapel Hill and The ArtsCenter, a non-profit fine arts organization in Carrboro, N.C. Josh also reported for The Daily Tar Heel, UNC's campus newspaper.

Brent Rinehart
Manager of Communications

Brent joined Crown in 2003 after receiving a degree in journalism/public relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His background is in media relations and sports information, including experience with the Charlotte Sting/Charlotte Bobcats (WNBA/NBA), the Burlington Indians (Appalachian League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians), the Northern and Central Baseball Leagues (independent) and the Orange County Recreation and Parks Department.

Angela L. Koch
Manager of Communications

With extensive experience in higher education communications and special events, Angela joined Crown in 2006. She previously served in a variety of communications capacities for her alma mater, Louisiana State University, and she was promoted to the university’s hurricane public events coordinator following Hurricane Katrina. Angela earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public relations from LSU and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Mike Reed
Communications Associate

Mike joined Crown in 2007 after serving as director of government affairs for the Flagler County Home Builders Association in Palm Coast, Fla. Prior to that, he was a reporter for six years, writing for The Daytona Beach News-Journal and The St. Augustine Record. Mike graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Danielle Altieri
Communications Associate

Danielle joined Crown in 2006 after graduating from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in history. While in college, she served in editorial positions for both The Student, Wake’s online student magazine, and Three to Four Ounces, the student literary magazine. She also spent a semester in London studying British history, theater and art history.

Nancy Rinehart
Communications Associate

Prior to joining Crown in 2006, Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in political science with a minor in journalism from Wake Forest University. She was the co-editor-in-chief of the Wake Forest yearbook, and held internships with The Gaston Gazette and the 26th Judicial District of North Carolina.

After graduating from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Shannon joined Crown in 2007. Her background covers all areas of design, including illustration, photography and graphic design. Prior to joining Crown, she gained experience as a graphic designer for Emulsion Arts and an illustrator for a furniture design company.

Katie Knipp
Communications Coordinator

Katie joined Crown in 2007 after earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She served as a staff writer for UNCC’s newspaper, The University Times, before moving on to National Speed Sport News, a weekly motorsports publication. While in college, Katie spent a summer in London studying international public relations.

To learn more about Crown Communications, contact us at 704.376.3434 or e-mail  kblanchard@crown-com.com