Celebration and Spring Fun Show announcer Chip Walters will be joining the full-time staff of the Celebration as Director of Public and Media Relations according to Celebration chief executive officer Ron Thomas.

“We’re very excited to have someone with Chip’s talents taking over our public and media relations,” said Thomas. “With his knowledge of our industry and contacts in the media, I’m sure he will be able to hit the ground running.”

Walters come to the Celebration after spending the last ten years as the Marketing and Promotions Director at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. At MTSU, Walters headed up the Blue Raiders Sports Network and football and basketball television shows as well as all aspects of marketing, promotions, and corporate sponsorships.

“It’s a terrific opportunity to be part of such a first-class organization,” relayed Walters. “Being on the (Celebration) grounds year round will help me be a better-informed announcer during the ten days and nights of the Celebration. Helping move the Celebration forward on a daily basis will be a labor of love.”

Walters has been the lead announcer at the Celebration for the past two years, filled in for the late Cliff Gillespie in 1999 and worked with Gillespie in 2000. He will continue in that capacity for the Celebration and the Spring Fun show and will begin his new role April 1, 2003.

Walters is a native of Columbia, Tenn., and graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1981 and received his BS in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University in 1985. He has an extensive background in the broadcast industry having worked for the Tennessee Radio Network and free-lance stints with other various broadcast outlets.