Henry Kilpatrick’s first introduction to 4-H was in the form of a raccoon skin cap brought to his fourth-grade class. Initially unamused, Kilpatrick wondered why his recess was getting cut short. However, that same fourth grader would go on to receive the Vol State Award, meet his future wife on a bus ride to a 4-H event and build a successful career – all with 4-H as the foundation beneath him.
Raised in West Tennessee, Kilpatrick grew up spending time on his family’s farms in both Chester and McNairy counties, splitting his time between farm work and exploring his interests in computers and tech. In the seventh grade, Kilpatrick became involved with Madison County 4-H. He submitted photography portfolios, competed in outdoor meat cookery and volunteered annually at the 4-H Chicken Shack at the West Tennessee State Fair.
“I did horticulture as well, and I think that was partially so I could go on the field at Neyland Stadium,” Kilpatrick jokes. “It paid dividends because now I know how to make my lawn look great.”
Henry Kilpatrick participated in Outdoor Meat Cookery
Kilpatrick Has Strong 4-H Foundations
Kilpatrick credits Sharon Tubbs, former county agent, and Kane Reeves, county agent, for exposing their group to opportunities – and partially for keeping them out of trouble. He also credits Harold Cothran and Randy Taylor, longstanding members of the Madison County 4-H team, for showing him the value of hard work and dedication.
“One of the big things that we learned in 4-H was that there are so many opportunities, but if you don’t take them, you’re never going to get to experience them,” Kilpatrick says. “That was a turning point for a lot of us in learning what leadership looks like.”
Outside of the relationships with his mentors, Kilpatrick formed lifelong friendships with his fellow 4-H’ers, whom he views as the next generation of leaders. He’s also married to his high school sweetheart, who he met on a bus ride going to the Tennessee 4-H Roundup in Knoxville. They’ve been married almost eight years and have a 4-year-old, who Kilpatrick teases is “going to be a 4-H’er whether she realizes it or not.”
Henry Kilpatrick at the Chicken Shack
Kilpatrick later received the Vol State Award during his senior year, the highest recognition that a Tennessee 4-H member can achieve.
He then received a B.S. in Communications from Austin Peay State University, where he got his start in the marketing world before working for Animax Designs, a Themed Entertainment Animatronics Company. From there, he worked as communication staff for Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, where he witnessed the impact local government has on its citizens and became more involved in community engagement.
Clover to Career
Today, Kilpatrick is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Jackson State Community College, where he oversees brand strategy and communications development for the college. Kilpatrick states that in his role, his driving focus is to humanize higher education, to make it more accessible and understandable so that students feel connected to the institution through their experiences.
“4-H instilled leadership traits in me that sat dormant, not realizing what had been instilled in me at the time,” Kilpatrick explains. “It’s like the age-old build-the-plane-in-the-air analogy. A lot of leaders will tell you, ‘Don’t try to build the plane before you can take off – just take off, figure it out in the air, and eventually you’ll land this thing.’ I’ve always taken that concept of if the opportunity presents itself, take it and figure it out along the way.”
Continuing to Serve
Kilpatrick continues to stay involved with 4-H when he can and served as a judge for the regional outdoor meat cookery contest last year. He stays busy with his hobbies of wrenching on vehicles and woodworking, as well as serving on the Downtown Amphitheater Committee in Jackson. He’s currently in the West Star class of 2026, a UT program, and finished Leadership Jackson last year.
“4-H offers some of the best moments and opportunities of your entire life,” Kilpatrick says. “The people you meet in 4-H are some of the best resources you’ll ever have. The same people who were giving me a hard time for not making it to breakfast at retreats are now really good contacts for me to call. I learned so much, met so many interesting people and now have this incredible network that I never would have expected.”