When Louise Keeton says, “I could talk about Ashland forever,” it’s not just a public relations line. They really mean it.
Keeton was hired in what was a dream job for them in 2023: marketing director for the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA). “I got to tell the story of my favorite place in the whole world,” they say. The energy and talent Keeton displayed in the position led to it being expanded in August to the role of director of operations.
“Appointing Keeton as director of operations is the best decision the DAA has ever made,” said the organization’s executive director, Antonio Miller, in the announcement of the promotion.
Keeton’s affection for Ashland is very personal. Their family moved to the town when Keeton was in the 7th grade. “As a child with disabilities, I thought my world was really limited, that I only had so much opportunity,” they say. “Ashland gave me the entire universe. The community embraced me for exactly who I was. They said, ‘Let’s take all of this beautiful imagination you have and apply it in ways that supports our community.’”
While they project a bubbly, care-free personality, Keeton struggles with processing disorders. “I don’t see, hear, taste or feel anything the same way that a neurotypical person does,” they say. They are also recovering from PTSD and anxiety issues.
Starting in middle school, Keeton channeled energy into creative pursuits, performing in local variety shows. After graduating from Shenandoah University, they founded the Whistle Stop Theatre Company, where they could produce, write and direct shows as well as perform in them.
Keeton has been able to thrive creatively: They’ve had two plays published, and they were named one of Style’s Women in the Arts in 2018 as well as receiving the regional Edward R. Murrow award for Excellence in Innovation and for Excellence in Social Media.
A command of social media helped them land a job as a digital producer for VPM where they worked for five years. As director of operations, Keeton will not only run major town events, like Ashland Train Day and the holiday Light Up the Tracks celebration, but develop new programming.
“I’ve always wanted others to feel the same level of welcoming and comfort that I experienced when I was in seventh grade,” they say. “And now that’s my entire job.”
