At Bat for Ashley Rountree: Phil Koester

I’m an avid history buff. With a master’s degree in medieval history, I’ve always been fascinated by the transition from the ancient Roman and Greek worlds to the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe. My master’s thesis was on conceptions of ethnic identity among the various tribes meandering around Europe during the early Middle Ages. I always wondered, how did people identify themselves in the past? When did people consider themselves French or German or Italian? Those are very new identities when you look at the last thousand years!

One book I’ve recently read is called “The Silk Roads” by Peter Frankopan. It’s a new book about the history of the world and provides a bit of a corrective on “Western civilization” by placing an emphasis on the history of the Middle East in shaping the world. It’s an interesting and fun read, and I recommend this book for anyone who may have a general interest in history.

My wife is originally from Poland, and I very much enjoy traveling there with my family to visit her relatives and friends. There are many wonderful sites to see in the country, from the charming medieval villages such as Torun (home to the astronomer Copernicus) to the bustling cities of Warsaw and Krakow and the beautiful mountain region in the south – especially the quaint mountain town of Zakopane, which has a very distinct culture.

You feel the history in these places, especially Warsaw and the events from World War II that are so connected to that city, from the Warsaw Ghetto and Warsaw Uprising monuments to the immaculately rebuilt Old Town. It’s easy to get around with the trams and city buses.

If you go to Poland, be sure to enjoy some gofry, which is their version of a Belgian waffle. It’s a popular treat and sold at many cafes and ice cream shops.

On my bucket list is a trip to France. Although I’ve been to Europe many times, I’ve never been to that country, and someday I would love to take a river valley cruise that focuses on a wine region.

As a longtime marketing professional, I’ve been professionally and personally fascinated with the impact of digital technology on communications. It’s been quite an adventure. Many experts will agree that marketing communications has changed more in the last 10 years than in the last 100 years with the rise of social media and content marketing.

For many years, I have followed a number of key influencers and leaders in the field, reading books and listening to various podcasts including those by Seth Godin and Paul Gillin. When I worked in Los Angeles, I got to know Eric Schwarzman, another marketing guru specializing in new media and public relations. I have found his books and podcasts to be especially illuminating, and they have helped me stay on top of the constantly shifting digital media landscape. If you are new to marketing, be sure to read his book “The Digital Pivot: Secrets of Online Marketing.”

I consider Frankfort, Kentucky, to be my hometown since I spent most of my childhood there. The itinerary would include a walk through historic downtown Frankfort, visiting the old homes and museums including the Old State Capitol Building, enjoying coffee along Main Street, and visiting Poor Richard’s Books on Broadway.

Another stop would be Buffalo Trace distillery, which was called Ancient Age when I was a kid. My father worked at the now-demolished Capital Plaza Office Tower in the area, and I frequently remember the smell of sour mash in the air. It was a distinct scent that was part of my childhood (only in Kentucky!).

On the way out of downtown, I would stop at the scenic overlook on U.S. 60 for a ripping view of the state capital and the Kentucky River. The Kentucky River valley is so picturesque in Frankfort. For lunch, I would visit the Sage Garden Cafe at Wilson Nurseries and then stroll the garden shop and nursery grounds before jumping back on I-64. 

One of the most important professional lessons I’ve learned over the years is setting priorities. In the nonprofit sector, one can quickly feel overwhelmed by all the daily tasks and the burden of too many responsibilities. This is particularly true in our post-pandemic world, where there is a national labor shortage of experienced nonprofit executives as well as development and marketing staff members.

• French fry dipping sauce: Ketchup
• Cards or Cats: Cards
• Dogs or cats: I like dogs and cats equally.
• Comfort food: Toast and eggs with coffee
• Favorite holiday: Christmas break
• Favorite season: Fall