Meet the Team

JAY SHERIDAN, President

Over the course of his career, Jay has built successful campaigns around legislative issues, regulatory and zoning matters, political candidates and policy issues, among a multitude of other initiatives. He’s developed a winning track record through effective grassroots organization, unorthodox strategies for shaping public opinion and the power of the written word.

On the marketing and communications side, Jay's work has spanned industries ranging from fashion to wildlife and habitat conservation, industrial manufacturing to historic tourism, real estate to retail, healthcare, higher education and just about everything in between. He has authored numerous human interest and history books and magazine articles, locally and nationally.

In 2010, as a sole proprietorship, Sheridan PR won the Parthenon Award for media placement from the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 2011, the firm won an Award of Merit in the public affairs category. And in 2015, Jay was named to the Nashville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list of rising professionals.

Prior to starting Sheridan PR in 2009, he was an account supervisor with McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations in Nashville and director of communications at Spheris, an international healthcare technology company.

Over the years, Sheridan has served as a volunteer and board member for a number of non-profit organizations, and he is currently vice president of Friends of Franklin Parks. He was appointed by Franklin Mayor Ken Moore to the City's Historic Zoning Commission and Battlefield Preservation Commission, the latter of which he chaired for two years. Sheridan also was a co-chair of Franklin's Sesquicentennial Committee, dedicated to commemorating the year 2014 as the 150th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in news and editorial journalism from the University of Mississippi.

CHAD SCHMIDT, Partner

Chad Schmidt joined SPR as a partner and has more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications planning, marketing, writing, grassroots campaigns, messaging, media relations, corporate, internal and external communications, materials development and event coordination.

Prior to joining Sheridan PR, Chad served as Legility's director of marketing and communications for eight years, where he oversaw and developed all communications, marketing, web/social media and advertising initiatives, and was heavily involved in business development, metrics tracking and results reporting. During his time, Legility opened five new offices and its revenue quintupled, making it one of the national leaders in the alternative legal services sector.

Before Legility, he was part of the senior staff at McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, where he managed local, regional and national accounts in the automotive, government, wireless and healthcare industries, among others. Prior to MP&F, he served on the editorial staff for LINKS – The Best of Golf magazine, in Hilton Head, S.C.

A Nashville native, Chad graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in English literature, a minor in writing, and a special focus in advertising. He is a member of the 2018-19 class of Leadership Franklin, and is serving or has served on the board of directors for numerous local and national non-profit and civic organizations. He lives in Franklin with his wife, Pam, and their two daughters.

KRISTEN BRASELTON, Account Executive

Kristen Braselton joined the SPR team in 2022 as an Account Executive.

Before joining SPR, Kristen worked as the Social Media and Community Engagement Specialist for The ICAN Institute, an online business mindset training platform, and performed freelance Social Media Management for several local Nashville influencers. Her work has garnered millions of views on TikTok and Instagram!

She graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications Media Design and Production with a minor in Marketing. She held multiple leadership positions in her sorority, Theta Phi Alpha, and volunteered for the campus’ largest philanthropy, IU Dance Marathon, on the Public Relations Committee.

Kristen held several marketing internships during her time at Indiana University, including her role as a Photographer for a notable creative agency, One World Enterprises, which later resulted in a full-time job opportunity as a Social Media Manager upon graduation.

Since moving from Bloomington, IN to Nashville, TN in early 2019, Kristen has fallen in love with the vibrant culture, local businesses and nightlife in Music City. In her spare time, she enjoys creating food and lifestyle content on Instagram, often reviewing local restaurants and helping tourists plan their vacations.

MIRIAM CRESSWELL, Account Executive

Miriam Cresswell joined the SPR team in 2023 as an Account Executive.

Before joining SPR, Miriam was both the Video Production Manager and the Director of Advance U, a video-based online learning platform, for MKJ Marketing. MKJ Marketing is a Premier Partner of Tribute Technology, a global technology corporation in the death care industry. 

Miriam graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. Following graduation, Miriam was a senior producer for WAAY-TV, the ABC News affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2016, she moved to Tennessee to serve as a lead morning show producer for WSMV, the NBC News affiliate in Nashville. In both roles, she was integral in changing the vision of newscasts with a heightened involvement in story selection and production oversight.

Miriam later worked as a producer for MBC Media. There, she collaborated with clients across the country – many in the healthcare industry – to produce compelling videos for marketing and educational purposes.

In her personal time, Miriam serves her local community as a member of the Junior League of Nashville. She enjoys exploring Middle Tennessee, watching college football (Hotty Toddy!), and trying new recipes.

ARY OYLER, Associate Account Executive

Ary Oyler joined the SPR team in 2022 as a staff associate. She graduated from Auburn University in 2022 with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing.

Ary completed three internships during her time at Auburn, gaining expertise in social media, blog writing and event planning. She completed a virtual social media internship with Brighter with Britt, a life coach and motivational speaker in the spring of 2021, where she worked on a variety of social media and creative projects. In the fall of 2021, she interned at InnerSpark Creative, an agency that provides digital marketing and advertising services. Her most recent internship was with the City of Auburn's Parks and Recreation department, where she worked on marketing materials and assisted with the planning of Auburn City Fest. 

Additionally she served on the social media committee for both the Auburn Circle and the student-run PR agency, The Oaks. She was also very active in her sorority, Phi Mu, holding multiple leadership positions. 

Ary is originally from Birmingham, AL, and is eager to explore the Nashville area and experience its delicious food.

RACHEL AMBROSE, Associate Account Executive

Rachel Ambrose joined the SPR team in 2022 as a staff associate. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in psychology.

Rachel completed two internships during her collegiate years, gaining experience in public relations, digital marketing, and event planning. In the summer of 2021, she interned for Gaslamp Event Management, an event planning company in San Diego. Rachel was responsible for monitoring event promotion through various social media outlets and websites. In the fall of 2021, she interned remotely for ID Public Relations, an entertainment firm in Los Angeles. Rachel assisted in projects for a variety of clients while developing an ability to strategically pitch media. 

While enrolled at USD, she worked as a journalist and anchor for USDTV, the university’s student-run news station. Rachel was also an active member of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, serving as the public relations vice president. 

After living on the west coast for four years, Rachel is excited to join her family in Nashville and explore all the city has to offer.

TRAVIS COOPWOOD, Staff Associate

Cleveland, Mississippi, native Travis Coopwood joined the SPR team as a Staff Associate in 2024. In 2023, she worked as the summer intern at SPR before joining the team full-time. She received an Integrated Marketing Communications degree with a minor in Business from the University of Mississippi in 2024.

Travis previously interned with Visit Oxford, where she gained extensive experience in web design, analytical tracking, content creation, and traditional media relations. She continues to stay updated on the latest developments in social media and enjoys applying her skills to the dynamic field of public relations.

While attending Ole Miss, Travis honed her creative abilities and was inspired to pursue a PR career through her involvement in various organizations within the School of Journalism and New Media. Her participation in Chi Omega sorority, serving on the executive board for the Student Alumni Council, acting as an ambassador for the School of Journalism and New Media, and serving as publicity chair for the Public Relations Student Society of America significantly strengthened her PR capabilities and communication skills. 

Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, Travis is excited to be back in a place like Nashville and reap the benefits of being in a city.

MIKIELA GARCIA HALBIG, Intern

Mikiela Garcia Halbig joined the SPR team as a summer intern. She is a rising senior at Middle Tennessee State University, majoring in Digital Marketing with a minor in Business Administration. 

At MTSU, Mikiela is part of DECA and the Jones College of business IGNITE program, which helps students become emerging leaders and enhances their  skills in all aspects of business. In DECA, Mikiela and her teammate placed in the top 10 internationally for entertainment marketing. This program has allowed her a creative outlet to use her marketing skills and compete against other schools. She is eager to learn and gain expertise through this internship and apply them in her studies and future competitions. 

While this is her first marketing internship, she has worked at the Westhaven Golf Club for five years in many roles. Her most recent role at the club was an accounting executive assistant where she was responsible for daily office tasks, cash handling and deposit balancing. 

Mikiela has a goal to visit every Tennessee State Park to explore the beautiful nature Tennessee has to offer.

EMERSON SCHMIDT, Intern

Emerson Schmidt joined the SPR team in 2024 as a summer intern. She is a rising senior at Tennessee Tech University (TTU), majoring in Marketing. 

Emerson worked for the last year as a Marketing Assistant for TTU's Student Engagement Department. Her responsibilities included assisting in planning and promoting events, participating in engagement marketing, planning and executing social media posts (including copywriting and graphics) and creating digital and printed signage.

Prior to that role, she served as a Digital Marketing Intern at Education Outdoors, where she spearheaded successful ad campaigns that led to increased sales and website traffic. Additionally, she revamped the company's social media shops and created an impactful Instagram presence. 

Emerson has lived in Tennessee her whole life and is excited to make meaningful contributions in her community through this internship.