Press Release: Jena McNeill and Amanda Bunning Kelsey Named to The Kentucky Gazette’s Top 50 Women in Kentucky Politics

‍ Frankfort, KY — [January 23, 2026] — The Kentucky Gazette has named The Ingram Group’s Jena McNeill and Amanda Bunning Kelsey among its Top 50 Women in Kentucky Politics, recognizing their leadership and influence in shaping public policy across the Commonwealth.  The Ingram Group launched its Kentucky presence in 2024 offering government relations and consulting services at the local, state, and federal levels.

The annual list honors women who play critical roles in Kentucky’s political and policy ecosystem, including the General Assembly, the executive branch, advocacy organizations, and government affairs. McNeill and Bunning Kelsey were selected for their work advancing policy solutions for Kentucky clients and for their deep engagement with state and federal decision-makers.

Amy Grant, Andy Burton announce A.M. Burton-inspired charitable fund

NASHVILLE — In the heart of Nashville a century ago, A.M. Burton — a pioneering businessman and philanthropist — reshaped downtown through radical generosity, civic responsibility and practical compassion. Today, his great-grandchildren, Amy Grant and Andy Burton, announce an effort to carry that legacy forward.  

In partnership with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Grant and Andy Burton have created the A.M. Burton Matthew 25 Fund, with a mission “to preserve, impart and build upon the guiding values of A.M. Burton, to elevate his legacy of selfless generosity and faith in action, and to furnish charitable services that uplift individuals and strengthen our community.”  

The Ingram Group’s Brandon Gee featured in Nashville Banner

Nashville Banner’s Demetria Kaladimos interviews The Ingram Group’s Brandon Gee for part two of a three-part series chronicling the “steeplejacking” of a downtown church founded by legendary Nashvillian A.M. Burton. 

“The building is sitting there locked up, windows open, pigeons flying in and out all day long,” Gee states. “And it's just hard to figure out what they could have possibly done with this money to benefit the public — as nonprofits are required to do.” 

The Ingram Group’s messaging ability rivals anyone in the business, and we pride ourselves on helping our clients see how communications fits into the larger picture. A former journalist, Brandon covered federal courts for The Tennessean and was the senior writer and editor-in-chief at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 

The Ingram Group Expands in Kentucky with Addition of Energy Lobbyist, Former Senate Staffer

NASHVILLE — The Ingram Group, a premier strategic consulting and bipartisan government relations firm, announces the addition of Jena Baker McNeill to its team to support its growing roster of clients in Nashville, Washington, D.C. — and now Frankfort, Kentucky.  Her hire marks the official expansion of The Ingram Group into the Bluegrass State.

“Over the past four decades, we’ve been intentional about building a team that sets the standard in client service — solving complex challenges and helping clients seize new opportunities,” said Tom Ingram, founder of The Ingram Group. “Our recent hires are no exception.”

Jena Baker McNeill joins The Ingram Group from East Kentucky Power Cooperative, where she served as Director of Government and Legislative Relations for the largest generation and transmission cooperative in the state of Kentucky.

Rich Riebeling brings decades of civic leadership to The Ingram Group

NASHVILLE — Rich Riebeling, who has spent his career at the center of what matters in Nashville and Tennessee, joins The Ingram Group to leverage that experience as part of its premier strategic consulting team. Riebeling continues a series of key recent hires at The Ingram Group, including Hank Clay, Brandon Gee , Dustin Summers, and Leah Dupree Love. 

“For five decades, I have been fortunate to work on many of the city’s major initiatives, in roles that involved the coordination of state and local government, media relations, and private partnerships,” said Riebeling. “The Ingram Group has always been a major force in such initiatives, and I am proud to join the firm to support clients wanting to advance ambitious and complicated projects.”  

Riebeling served as Chief Operating Officer under former Nashville Mayors Megan Barry and David Briley, and as Finance Director to former Mayor Karl Dean. 

Tennessean: A.M. Burton heirs hire “powerful” Ingram Group

The Tennessean calls The Ingram Group a “powerful public relations firm” in its coverage of the “steeplejacking” of a downtown church founded by legendary Nashvillian A.M. Burton. 

Burton great-grandchildren Amy Grant and Andy Burton “hired a powerful public relations firm, The Ingram Group, and came forward in a Wall Street Journal article,” The Tennessean’s Liam Adams reports. 

The Ingram Group’s Brandon Gee is quoted in the story: 

“This year, downtown Nashville’s Central Church of Christ should be celebrating a 100-year anniversary of serving the community,” Brandon Gee, a spokesperson for Grant and [Andy] Burton, said in a statement Tuesday. “Instead, it stands as a shuttered eyesore serving outsiders who preyed on a vulnerable congregation to gain control of the property.” 

At The Ingram Group, we prefer “communications strategy” to “public relations.” Certainly, traditional public relations activities can be useful, when they serve the goal and fit the strategy. At the outset of our partnerships, we work hard to develop a comprehensive understanding of our clients’ needs and goals — then decide which tools fit the job. 

The Ingram Group is proud to share, and honored to be trusted with, the incredible story of A.M. Burton and Amy and Andy’s fight to protect and restore his legacy. 

TN political strategist Tom Ingram on fixing politics: ‘Fight like dogs and cats in the campaign, but then come together’

“We’re defining our friends and enemies by those who agree with us on specific issues,” he said. “We have lost our sense of comradery and collaboration and the ability to work together regardless of our politics, and I think that’s threatening our democracy, our politics and even our two-party system.”

Ingram warned against what he called hyperpartisanship. “We’ve got to be able to work together and agree, to find common ground and meet there rather than getting further and further apart,” he said.

Racehorse Health and Safety Act Introduced

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on the heels of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), a bipartisan, bicameral effort to deliver a constitutional solution to safety regulation in the horse racing industry. 

The legislation is backed by industry organizations representing tens of thousands of horsemen and is endorsed by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA), the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV), and others. The RHSA would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules governing scientific medication control and racetrack safety for horse racing.