04/13/2026
Member Spotlight | Meet Marybeth!
Marybeth Kench is the Membership Director for the PRSA chapter of Tri-Cities TN/VA.
"I always dreamed of becoming an astronaut; building moon colonies and stepping foot on Mars. However, I quickly realized math and science weren’t exactly my strengths. By senior year, I knew I’d go to college but I no longer had direction.
Then September 11th happened. I watched every press briefing and interview, and remember the steady voices attempting to make sense of the unthinkable. Amid heartbreak, I witnessed something powerful: communication as leadership. Words that informed, calmed, and united. I had found my direction - to be that steady voice. I double majored in Public Relations and Political Science.
Life (and marriage) brought me back to Kingsport upon graduation. Now, nearly 20 years ago (wow!), I joined the Kingsport Chamber as Communications and Events Coordinator, later serving as Marketing Manager for the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. One of my favorite memories was managing the Santa Train and witnessing the joy it delivered along its 110-mile trek.
While on maternity leave with my son, Mac, I received a call about the Communications Coordinator role with Kingsport City Schools. I remember laughing and saying, “I just had a human… one thing at a time, please.” Well, I took the interview and now 13 years later, I’m still proudly with KCS.
Today, I lead strategic storytelling and brand management across the district; overseeing media relations, social strategy, design, photography, videography, marketing initiatives, budgeting, internal culture efforts, and mentoring student interns. My work has also brought home two PRSA Tri-Cities Best in Show awards for a video and an integrated communications campaign. I believe in clear messaging, strong visuals, and the Oxford comma!
While I haven’t been the most active local PRSA member, national resources have long been my north star for trends and best practices. Now, as Membership Director, I’m excited to learn and grow alongside some of the region’s top PR professionals and build more local relationships.
Most importantly, I’m a proud single mom; cheering Mac on and chauffeuring him between middle school football, basketball, track/field, and our favorite bookstores. And yes, I still dream of the Moon and Mars. So if NASA ever needs a PR pro who isn’t afraid of a long commute, I’m ready!"
