Welcome! I'm Ken Ulmer, one of the A.C. Reynolds Marketing teachers, and I'm amped up to be back in Rocket Country for another year. I love the vibe and positivity in this place, and love an active class with big energy and big ideas. 

We're always marketing ourselves, whether we're trying to get a date, apply for a job, or negotiate for a good deal on a car. Our classes will focus on fundamental skills used in marketing careers available in Western North Carolina, and around the world. The courses I teach include:

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Sport & Event Marketing I

• Sport & Event Marketing II

Tutoring and one-on-one project assistance is available Tuesdays from 3:00-3:30pm, and other days by appointment. 

All assignments and class announcements this semester will be posted in Google Classroom. Students will receive the code in class. Parents, if you'd like to be added to monitor daily assignments, please send me an email and I'll share the code with you as well.

I'm also the co-advisor of our school's DECA chapter, which allows students to apply the skills they use in class to real world marketing situations. The ACR DECA team competes in district and state competitions, with opportunities to advance to international events.  Two of our members qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference in April 2023, and placed among the top marketing students in North Carolina. DECA is also a great way to get college scholarships. Come see me to find out more info!

Before coming to the classroom, I worked in the TV/Radio and Event Marketing for 30 years, both on-the-air in morning and afternoon drive at Mix 96.5, and behind the scenes, developing sales and promotional campaigns. One of my favorite projects was Sing With Foreigner, a contest from 105.9 the Mountain that gave local high school students a chance to compete for a spot on stage with the legendary rock band. Reynolds won, and the school chorus got to back the band during a performance of I Want To Know What Love Is at the Asheville Civic Center. I've also helped coordinate promotions with the Southern Conference Tournament and the Asheville Tourists, and have produced local events including the Mountain Motor Show, Dog Day Afternoon, BaconFest Asheville and the Race to the Taps 5k running series.

My TV experience includes time behind the wheel as the WLOS-TV Road Trippin' Guy, creating marketing pieces for tourist attractions, restaurants, and resorts across the Carolinas and Tennessee.

When I'm not in the classroom, my kids and I are probably at a shelter rescuing a senior bulldog, or somewhere on an outdoor adventure.

I'm a proud graduate of Mitchell High (home of the Mountaineers) in Bakersville, and Appalachian State University (also home of the Mountaineers). Now I'm honored to call Rocket Country home.

Please reach out any time with any questions or issues I can help with and have a great day!