Amanda Loveday Named CEO and Jean Cecil Frick Named COO 

COLUMBIA, S.C. [February 19 , 2025] –  NP Strategy, a strategic communications firm specializing in crisis response, media, and public relations, today announced a leadership transition that will further enhance the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional client-focused service. Amanda Loveday is now Chief Executive Officer and Jean Cecil Frick assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer. Founding CEO Heather Hoopes-Matthews, who led NP Strategy since its inception in 2013, remains on the team in a client-facing role.

Loveday, with nearly two decades of experience in public affairs, media relations, and corporate communications, brings a strong client-centered approach to her new role. As COO, she helped expand NP Strategy’s footprint across the Southeast, building a reputation for delivering tailored, effective solutions that address clients’ strategic communication needs. As CEO, Loveday will oversee the firm’s operations and lead its long-term vision, ensuring NP Strategy remains a trusted partner.

“I am honored to lead NP Strategy and carry forward our commitment to providing outstanding service,” said Loveday. “Our talented team is dedicated to crafting strategic solutions that help clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I look forward to building on the foundation Heather established.”

Frick, who has been instrumental in the firm’s growth as a senior leader, will now manage daily operations. Frick brings an impressive background in leadership roles, with experience that aligns with NP Strategy’s dedication to understanding and meeting clients’ needs.

Leighton Lord, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Maynard Nexsen, said, “Amanda and Jean Cecil exemplify the client-focused culture that drives NP Strategy’s success. Their leadership will further our mission to be a reliable, strategic partner to clients. We thank Heather for her vision in founding NP Strategy, and we’re thrilled that her next role will allow her insight to continue benefiting our clients and the firm.”

NP Strategy, a subsidiary of Maynard Nexsen, serves clients across diverse industries, providing strategic counsel, media relations, crisis communications, and public affairs services. With a growing team of 24 professionals, NP Strategy has offices in Columbia and Charleston, S.C.; Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.; and Birmingham and Mobile, Ala. 

Coinciding with the leadership transition, NP Strategy has launched a new brand and website.

ABOUT NP STRATEGY

NP Strategy is a strategic communications firm composed of former journalists, communications professionals, political insiders, and public relations executives. NP Strategy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maynard Nexsen, a 550-attorney national law firm with 24 offices from coast to coast, providing NPS access to deep relationships across the United States. For more information visit www.npstrategy.com.

Columbia, S.C. – (January 29, 2025) NP Strategy, a strategic communications firm providing crisis, media and public relations assistance, is growing in Alabama and the Carolinas with the hiring of award-winning journalist and communications professional Lynnsey Gardner Baker, and dynamic communications and media strategists Maya Ward and Whitney Satterwhite.

“We are excited to welcome Lynnsey, Maya, and Whitney to our team,” said CEO Amanda Loveday. “Their extensive experience in media relations, combined with their ability to craft compelling narratives and build strong connections in both national and regional markets, will help us deliver outstanding results and exceptional value to our clients.”

Lynnsey Gardner Baker joins the Columbia office as a Director, bringing nearly two decades of experience in journalism, government relations, and strategic communications. Her career includes award-winning tenures at WJXT-Jacksonville and WRDW-Augusta, where her investigative reporting earned her three national Edward R. Murrow Awards and three Emmy Awards. Most recently, Baker served as Communications Director for the City of Forest Acres, where she enhanced the city’s profile with innovative media strategies and expert crisis communications.

“I am excited to help clients navigate complex communication challenges with creativity and precision,” said Baker. “As a former investigative journalist, I look forward to leveraging my deep understanding of the evolving media landscape to build trusted relationships and craft impactful stories that educate and inspire.”

Maya Ward has joined the Charlotte office as a Manager. Before this role, she worked at DKMS US, a global non-profit focused on stem cell and bone marrow donation. During her tenure, she honed her expertise in healthcare and political communications, earning a reputation for crafting impactful media strategies that amplify brand visibility. Ward is passionate about helping clients tell compelling stories that resonate on both local and national levels. Among her career highlights, she secured coverage for a lifesaving transplant story on the Today Show and The Jennifer Hudson Show. In addition, she was recognized as one of Elevate Lifestyle’s 2024 “30 Under 30” Future Leaders of Charlotte.

“Through my experience working with non-profits, I’ve developed a sharp understanding of how to create innovative, impactful communication strategies that engage audiences,” said Ward. “I’m passionate about community advocacy, and I’m excited to bring my media relations expertise to help clients tell their compelling stories in a way that aligns with their mission and values.”

Whitney Satterwhite joins the Birmingham office as a Specialist, bringing a diverse background in advertising, public relations, and media relations. Her career began at Walker Sands, where she specialized in media relations and earned national and trade coverage for B2B technology clients. Most recently, she served as an Account Manager at Lewis Communications, leading client teams across sectors such as financial services, tourism, healthcare, and economic development.

“With my knowledge of complex business challenges and diverse industry audiences, I’ve been fortunate to lead strategies and campaigns that deliver tangible results,” said Satterwhite. “This experience will be invaluable at NP Strategy as I help clients navigate unique challenges, drive meaningful engagement, and achieve their communication goals.”

Expands Growing Team in North and South Carolina

NP Strategy (NPS+), a strategic communications firm providing crisis, media and public relations assistance, welcomes veteran journalist Jeff Reeves to its office in Raleigh. Reeves will help lead social and digital communication engagement needs for NP Strategy clients.  For the past ten years Reeves has managed a social team of ten people executing all social content for CBS 17 in the Triangle area.

“Jeff’s extensive experience in both local news and digital audience engagement will be of tremendous value to our clients,” said Heather (Hoopes) Matthews, CEO of NP Strategy. “As a North Carolina native, Jeff will also help us continue our rapid agency growth and expand our scope of work, especially in the Triangle area.”

Reeves has successfully navigated the waves of change amongst the myriad of social media platforms during his career.  With proof of performance as a daily goal, Reeves closely tracked audience behaviors in order to grow key metrics tied to revenue. Reeves started his career at WRAL-TV in Raleigh before moving to WNCN-TV (CBS 17) where he rose in the ranks to lead the station’s successful digital team.

“Joining a strategic communications team packed full of former journalists is an exciting next step in my career,” said Reeves.  “I look forward to helping our NP Strategy clients enhance their online engagement, an area where more and more people go for daily news and information.”

Founded in 2013, the rapidly growing NP Strategy team brings together former journalists, political insiders, and communications professionals to serve clients ranging from nonprofits to global corporations. Together, NPS+ provides swift thorough assistance in media relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, video production, digital content development, event management and strategic messaging needs.

Reeves is the 9th new team member to joining NPS+ since January 2022. Born and raised in Greensboro, N.C., Reeves moved to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He and his family reside in the Raleigh area.

Jesica Johnson Mackey, a strategic communicator with more than 10 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, joined NP Strategy to strengthen the teams’ ability to serve its growing client base. 

“Jesica has hit the ground running,” said Leighton Lord, Managing Partner of NP Strategy. “Her extensive experience on large-scale and complex projects has already enhanced our service to clients.”

Mackey previously served as a strategic communications consultant at a global engineering firm, and brings experience in strategic planning, crisis communication, stakeholder management, and public involvement. Mackey has built a career in North and South Carolina by guiding clients through social and political risks and building trusted relationships.

“I am excited to join NP Strategy and leverage my experience to help our clients,” said Jesica Johnson Mackey. “The NP Strategy team has a great reputation and I look forward to the years ahead.”

Jesica graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s degree in public administration. She has been honored by Columbia Business Monthly as a Best and Brightest 35 and Under; and currently serves on the boards of Emerge South Carolina, United Way of the Midlands Education Council, Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc., and WTS South Carolina. 

NP Strategy is a strategic communications firm helping clients navigate the business and public domains while shaping and controlling their messages. NPS+ services include Crisis Communications/Management, Media Relations, Message Development, Community Assessment, Project Launch, and Stakeholder Management. NPS+ is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nexsen Pruet law firm. 

NP Strategy, a strategic communications firm with offices in North and South Carolina, will expand its leadership team to meet the aggressive growth of the public relations agency. In the last four years, NP Strategy’s revenues have grown 400%.

“We never expected this kind of quick growth,” said Heather Hoopes-Matthews, Director of NP Strategy. “But our clients like our streamlined approach and value the mix of business and media backgrounds we bring to the table. In order to keep growing, we need strong leadership and Amanda Loveday is the perfect person for our new Associate Director role.”

Amanda Loveday joined NPS+ in 2016 after serving as the communications director for Congressman Jim Clyburn. In the past three years, Loveday has led clients through challenging situations, managed statewide media events, organized numerous stakeholder meetings and helped launch The Charleston Forum – an annual community event in Charleston, S.C. born out of the Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church tragedy. In December of 2018, Governor Henry McMaster appointed Loveday to the State Election Commission.

“I am excited to accept the challenge and opportunity that comes with helping lead NP Strategy during this season of rapid growth,” said Amanda Loveday. “Our team members are our number one asset and together we plan to expand our service areas, improve our efficiency and provide the best product to our clients.”

As Associate Director, Loveday will oversee NP Strategy’s business development efforts, help manage and recruit new NPS+ talent, and support the growing back office needs of the NPS+ team as it serves clients located throughout the United States.

NP Strategy is pleased to welcome former journalist and professional videographer, Taylor Kearns, to our strategic communications team, as video services manager. With more than a decade of experience using video to tell clear and compelling stories, Kearns will work with clients across the Carolinas in the conception, creation and distribution of video communications.

“Within the last year, NP Strategy has aggressively grown our footprint,” said Leighton Lord, managing director of NP Strategy. “New clients and new projects naturally lead to new growth. We are ready for Taylor’s energy and creativity in providing a high level of service to our growing base of clients.”

Kearns is the third hire for NP Strategy since January 2018, for a team now comprised of 15 veteran professionals spread across North and South Carolina.

“When business grows, we need to follow suit,” said Heather Matthews, director of NP Strategy. “We are excited to bring on new talent because not only will it increase our level of service, but Taylor adds significant value to our team through collaboration and an added skill set. Plus, as you’ll see below, he has a great sense of humor.”

Kearns spent seven years as a photojournalist and reporter at Columbia’s NBC affiliate, WIS-TV. During his time on air, he was honored with awards including two regional Emmys and recognition from the National Press Photographer’s Association. Most recently, Kearns operated his own business in Columbia offering companies and non-profits professional video services with a personal touch.

“I’m ready to get in the door and get to work,” said Kearns. “Running my own business was hugely rewarding, but it was also isolating at times. My dogs don’t laugh at my jokes anymore, so I can’t wait to have a new audience. Also, the opportunity to work with some of the region’s leading companies and organizations was hard to pass up. The demand for video continues to grow, and I’m honored to join a team that prides itself on quality client service.”

Kearns is originally from Hartsville, SC, and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. He will be based out of the firm’s Columbia, SC office.

See also: Video Production

With more than a decade of experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors, Jean Cecil Frick joins NP Strategy (NPS+) as a senior strategic advisor. Jean Cecil has built a career in Washington, DC and South Carolina by giving expert advice and building trusted relationships.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jean Cecil to the team,” said Leighton Lord, Managing Director of NPS+. “Jean Cecil’s broad experience in the highest levels of government to growing a business in South Carolina brings a unique perspective to our clients.”

Jean Cecil most recently served as the CEO of a start-up web development firm in Columbia, SC. Her career started in Washington, DC where she served in the George W. Bush Administration as a Senate liaison in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and as a legislative specialist for Vice President Cheney’s Senate Office on Capitol Hill. Jean Cecil began her career in Washington, DC working for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint.

“Joining the NP Strategy team allows me to combine the best of my experiences in both South Carolina and Washington, DC to work on behalf of our clients,” said Jean Cecil Frick. “I am excited to help businesses and organizations in the Carolinas grow.”

Jean Cecil’s background also includes work with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

“Jean Cecil’s professional network and commitment to helping clients achieve their goals will be indispensable to our team,” said Heather Matthews, Director of NPS+. “As a native of Spartanburg, we look forward to Jean Cecil growing NP Strategy’s presence in the Upstate and throughout the Carolinas.”

Frick will be working with businesses, individuals and non-profit entities with a focus on communications, public relations and community assessment out of the firm’s Columbia, SC office.