Ellis Named Director for Internal Communications and Relations

UAB has named Kristi Lamont Ellis to the new position of director of internal communications and relations. Ellis, formerly senior vice president of corporate communications for Regions Financial Corporation, has oversight responsibility for an integrated print and electronic communications system for UAB’s faculty and staff, including the institution’s flagship employee publication, the UAB Reporter. She also is charged with client relations and staff development as a member of the senior leadership team of the UAB Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

March 7, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, AL — UAB has named Kristi Lamont Ellis to the new position of director of internal communications and relations.

Ellis, formerly senior vice president of corporate communications for Regions Financial Corporation, has oversight responsibility for an integrated print and electronic communications system for UAB’s faculty and staff, including the institution’s flagship employee publication, the UAB Reporter. She also is charged with client relations and staff development as a member of the senior leadership team of the UAB Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

“One of UAB’s key goals is to create a positive, supportive and diverse work environment in which faculty and staff can excel,” said Dale Turnbough, UAB associate vice president for public relations and marketing. “Employee communication is key to that, and Kristi’s career background and skills are a perfect match for what we want to accomplish as Alabama’s largest direct employer. She is a seasoned manager with a deep background in employee communications, marketing and media relations, making her an excellent complement to our team.”

Ellis, an Alabama native, is a former journalist and public relations/marketing practitioner with extensive experience in human resources communications. The 1988 University of Alabama (UA) Outstanding Graduate in Journalism, Ellis has worked for The Birmingham News, The Natchez Democrat, International Paper, UA and CNN, as well as maintained her own communications consulting business.

As a journalist, Ellis was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, National Federation of Press Women and Magazine Association of Georgia. While with the UA College of Commerce she received numerous awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Tuscaloosa Advertising Federation. While with Regions, she was a member of the American Bankers Association Communications Council and the Financial Services Roundtable Public Affairs Council.

Ellis, who was named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2005, is participating in Leadership Birmingham. She is a member of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) Roundtable and International Association of Business Communicators, and on the board of directors of Leading Edge Institute, a leadership development program for college women in the state of Alabama. Ellis also serves on the Literacy Council Board of Directors and as chair of the council’s marketing committee.