About Heather

Heather Sutton currently serves as Media Relations and Project Director for the Metropolitan Drug Commission (MDC), Knoxville’s only local substance abuse prevention agency. Heather has demonstrated knowledge and experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, health education and grants management. Heather is responsible for overseeing all of MDC’s local and regional media initiatives, including print, television, radio and online media. Her responsibilities include preparing MDC’s quarterly ALERT newsletter as well as writing press releases and news articles. She also engages in MDC’s social media marketing, maintains the organization’s website and serves as media spokesperson.

During her tenure at MDC, Heather has developed and nurtured strong relationships with every major news outlet in Knoxville. She has increased media exposure by 68 percent over the previous year. Heather has positioned MDC as a thought leader on substance abuse prevention, appearing in the media regularly as an expert on local drug trends. Additionally, Heather serves as project director for MDC’s newest state grant, Partnerships For Success, aimed at reducing underage binge drinking among 14 to 17 year olds. She is responsible for the planning and implementation of all grant objectives.

Heather’s past experience includes work in public relations and marketing communication as an intern for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, Moxley Carmichael public relations firm and WBIR-TV. Prior to that, she served as copy editor and reporter for the Tennessee Journalist.

In her free time, Heather enjoys taking Zumba classes at the West Side Y; volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters; discovering new books, movies and music; and spending time with family and friends. She is an active member on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Heather is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Communication.