About Harris+Cornett
At Harris + Cornett, our mission is to champion the stories that matter most to Central Kentucky and beyond. We build enduring partnerships that turn complex challenges into clear opportunities—amplifying voices, shaping perception, and driving meaningful change in the communities we know best. Every message we craft is intentional. Every strategy we deliver is grounded in insight, trust, and results. Whether the stakes are local, regional, or national, we are relentless in our commitment to making your story heard, understood, and remembered.
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Driven to amplify stories that shape communities, inspire action, and create lasting impact.
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Tom Harris, APR
Tom Harris has over forty years of experience in the fields of communications and public affairs. Professional activities have included corporate communications, community affairs, political campaigns, higher education, media relations, employee communications, government relations, copy and speech writing, spokesman, constituent and client relations, crisis management, philanthropy, sales, department management and account management.
Tom recently retired as the vice president for university relations at the University of Kentucky, a role in which he has served since 2002. Tom has managed several departments at UK, including Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Marketing and Brand Strategy, Alumni Affairs, Government Relations, Community Relations, and WUKY Public Radio. In addition, Tom also recently served as Acting Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.
Prior to leading University Relations at UK, Harris worked in corporate communications for Honda of America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, DataBeam Corporation, and Kentucky Utilities. He worked with two of Kentucky’s leading public relations firms; The Preston Group and Jack Guthrie & Associates Public Relations. He also has been engaged in political campaigns and serving as press secretary to the Kentucky Lt. Governor.
A graduate of UK, Harris is a life member of the UK Alumni Association. He is an Accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America. He is active in the Lexington community, having participated in both Leadership Lexington and Leadership Kentucky, and served on the boards of VisitLex, Commerce Lexington, the Bluegrass Sports Commission, Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, YMCA of Central Kentucky, and 250Lex Commission.
Tom recently retired as the vice president for university relations at the University of Kentucky, a role in which he has served since 2002. Tom has managed several departments at UK, including Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Marketing and Brand Strategy, Alumni Affairs, Government Relations, Community Relations, and WUKY Public Radio. In addition, Tom also recently served as Acting Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.
Prior to leading University Relations at UK, Harris worked in corporate communications for Honda of America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, DataBeam Corporation, and Kentucky Utilities. He worked with two of Kentucky’s leading public relations firms; The Preston Group and Jack Guthrie & Associates Public Relations. He also has been engaged in political campaigns and serving as press secretary to the Kentucky Lt. Governor.
A graduate of UK, Harris is a life member of the UK Alumni Association. He is an Accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America. He is active in the Lexington community, having participated in both Leadership Lexington and Leadership Kentucky, and served on the boards of VisitLex, Commerce Lexington, the Bluegrass Sports Commission, Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, YMCA of Central Kentucky, and 250Lex Commission.
KIP CORNETT
Kip Cornett is a life-long communications professional serving various roles in marketing, media relations, event development and strategic planning. He was the founder of CORNETT, a full-service advertising and communications firm that he led successfully since 1984. During his tenure at CORNETT, he worked with many Kentucky and national organizations including Keeneland, University of Kentucky, Valvoline, Buffalo Trace Distillery, UK Athletics, VisitLex, Commerce Lexington and numerous local and state political campaigns.
Winner of countless creative awards, Kip is recognized as one of the region’s finest strategic communicators providing messaging that resonates and motivates their intended audience. For over four decades, companies and individuals have turned to Kip to build and execute their communication needs, ranging from consumer marketing to crisis management.
He is recognized as a seasoned and skilled writer, as well as for building communication strategy around events, ideas and brands. Kip has worked closely with local, regional and national media in developing public relations campaigns for his clients as well.
Active and committed to community service, Kip has been involved with Urban League, YMCA of Central Kentucky, Lyric Theatre, Fayette Alliance, Gatton Park and several others. In addition, he has served in a leadership role of community activities such as the Breeders’ Cup Festival, World Equestrian Games, Picnic with the Pops – and most recently serves as co-chair of 250LEX.
Kip, a University of Kentucky alum, is member of the UK Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, the UK English Department “Alumni of the Year”, and the Downtown Lexington Partnership’s Outstanding Citizen Award winner.
He is recognized as a seasoned and skilled writer, as well as for building communication strategy around events, ideas and brands. Kip has worked closely with local, regional and national media in developing public relations campaigns for his clients as well.
Active and committed to community service, Kip has been involved with Urban League, YMCA of Central Kentucky, Lyric Theatre, Fayette Alliance, Gatton Park and several others. In addition, he has served in a leadership role of community activities such as the Breeders’ Cup Festival, World Equestrian Games, Picnic with the Pops – and most recently serves as co-chair of 250LEX.
Kip, a University of Kentucky alum, is member of the UK Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, the UK English Department “Alumni of the Year”, and the Downtown Lexington Partnership’s Outstanding Citizen Award winner.
