High Reason’s Post

Had fun setting up the vehicles for tomorrow’s video shoot. Excited to see High Reason’s vision come to life!!! #nimnichtjax

Our next 40 under 40 honoree is Tyler Holder (’15), a UNF School of Communication alumnus who has grinded this past decade to work his way up to Vice President of Strategic Communications for High Reason and North Star Place Branding + Marketing. As an undergrad, this Osprey got started on his communications journey early as a member of UNF PRSSA, the VP of Community Relations for the UNF Interfraternity Council and the PR Executive Officer for the Kappa Mu chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He also earned an opportunity with Steve Kaufman PR as a content specialist. Holder told the Jacksonville Business Journal that one of the biggest lessons he’s learned over his career is that “there’s no substitute for hard work,” and he’s demonstrated that mantra to the fullest. After graduation, he landed a position with the Dalton as an account coordinator. As the years went by, he worked his way up the Dalton ladder to assistant account executive, account executive, senior account executive and finally account supervisor. In 2021, he joined North Star as their director of strategic communications before being promoted to his new role earlier this year. In his personal life, after meeting UNF - College of Arts and Sciences criminal justice major and fellow UNF Greek leader Arielle Holder (’16) back in 2012, the pair started dating in 2018, and just celebrated their two-year anniversary! Arielle currently works as a victim specialist for the Office of the State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Creative & Operations Manager at High Reason!

The Jacksonville Business Journal has officially released the full list of their 40 Under 40 honorees and 25% are University of North Florida alumni! Dr. Audrieanna Burgin, Ph.D. Burgin ('11) graduated from the University of North Florida - Coggin College of Business with degrees in Business Management and Economics. She is currently a Senior Research Scientist at WGU Labs and is the founding director of UNF's Diversity in Business program. Amber Wilson ('06) graduated from the UNF School of Communication and serves as the VP of Community & Corporate Initiatives at Miller Electric Company. Kendall Sisisky Valliere, MPA, CSM ('15) graduated from the UNF - College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in Public Administration. She is the Director of Development at Jewish Community Alliance. Tyler Holder ('15) graduated from COAS with his degree in communications and serves as the Vice President of Strategic Communications at High Reason and North Star Place Branding + Marketing. Chase Smith ('13, '20) graduated from Coggin with a Business Management degree, then returned to the UNF Graduate School to complete his MBA. He is the Assistant Vice President and Team Lead for Deutsche Bank. Matt McCarthy, MSRE ('10) graduated from COAS with a communications degree and now serves as Vice President at Colliers International. Kimberly Parker Simon, MPPA ('06) earned her political science degree from COAS, and now is the Director of Programs at Yoga 4 Change. Stephen Freeman ('13) graduated from COAS with a bachelor's degree in English. He is the leader and founder of Kairos Digital. Samantha Spaniak ('10) graduated from COAS with an Art degree, and serves as the Project Architect for Hoefer Welker. Last but not least, Michael O'Neal ('08) earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from COAS, and is currently the Vice President of Operations for Corner Lot. Please join us in congratulating these ten Ospreys on this much deserved recognition for helping shape Jacksonville today and for the future!