Contributing Writers

Sarah Blanzy

Sarah Blanzy is a freelance writer currently living in Lynchburg. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from Liberty University and took many classes in journalism and communications while in college. Sarah has worked in the University Advancement department at LU writing news stories for the school’s website and The Liberty Journal in addition to writing for the school newspaper, The Liberty Champion. She also writes stories and articles for other publications, including an online magazine called Lily.

Mikael Blidö

Mikael Blidö is an Account Director at Prototype Advertising, serving clients in Central Virginia and beyond. Prior to joining Prototype, Mikael spent 10 years with Ericsson and Sony Ericsson in various marketing roles, in Europe as well as in the U.S. The past several years he has worked in the ad industry, including a stint for Iris Nation in New York City. Mikael, who is a Swedish immigrant, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media & Communication studies from the University of Vaxjo, Sweden and he was recently recognized as one of the “20 under 40″ in the Blue Ridge Business Journal.

Jack Bobbitt

Jack Bobbitt is a Senior Account Executive for Prototype Advertising. He has served in several industries as a marketing and management consultant in Central Virginia for over 19 years. From Managing Director of a men’s clothier, Sales and Marketing Director of a regional industrial supply company and, most recently, Director of Client Services with a local marketing firm, Jack has covered a lot of ground. A graduate of Lynchburg College with a degree in Management and Marketing, he also serves on the Ambassador Committee with the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Heather J. Bonawitz

Heather J. Bonawitz is the owner of Becoming Designs, an interior design consulting company in Lynchburg, Virginia, specializing in Interior Redesign, Home Staging and Professional Organizing. She graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and holds a double concentration in interior design and fashion merchandising. Heather has worked in the design field for many years and has gone on to receive certification as a member of I.R.I.S. (Interior Redesign Industry Specialist). In addition to serving clients and freelance writing, Heather also volunteers in the local community, mentors students and serves in her church.

Johanna Calfee

Johanna Calfee is the Managing Editor of Prototype Media, which produces five area publications, including Lynchburg Living and Lynchburg Business magazines. Prior to working in publishing and advertising, Johanna spent six years in television news at ABC, Fox and NBC affiliates in Roanoke and Lynchburg, where she wore many hats as a producer, reporter, anchor and weather forecaster. Along the way, she earned several awards, including a National Peabody Award and National Emmy Award as part of WSLS’ team coverage of the Virginia Tech Shootings. Johanna holds a degree in journalism from Liberty University.

Miranda Canady

Miranda Canady graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she traveled to New York City to work with American Media, Inc., where she worked directly under the Public Relations Director for Shape, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health magazines. She has since returned to Virginia, and currently heads up Lily Magazine, an online girl’s magazine.

Maureen Cholewka

Maureen Cholewka is a freelance writer with experience as a magazine editor in New York City. She has also produced financial conferences for Wall Street executives. She won a National Women’s Hall Of Fame writing contest when she was 13 and decided to pursue a writing career. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from New York University and has worked in Human Services administration in Virginia for the past 10 years. She has traveled extensively and practices yoga regularly.

Joshua Dalrymple, Esq.

Joshua Dalrymple is a managing partner with Patel & Dalrymple, PLLC, a general practice law firm with a focus on real estate, estate planning, and business law.  He graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Accounting, and went on to attend Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach.  In addition to practicing law, Josh also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law at Liberty Law School.

Donna Dunn

A newspaperwoman for more than 15 years, Donna Dunn served as a features editor, assistant managing editor and writer and was the Employee of the Year for the Northern Virginia Daily in 1999. With two degrees from James Madison University—a bachelor’s in communication and a master’s in public administration—she’s won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, among others. Currently a Lynchburg resident and freelance communicator, she enjoys writing for publications such as Lynchburg Living and Lynchburg Business.

Kimberly Feldkamp

Kimberly Feldkamp started putting her pen to the paper at an early age, and it was her love of writing that led her to pursue a career in journalism. A graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Kimberly started working in TV news as an anchor and reporter at WOHL-TV in Lima, Ohio. She then worked as a news producer at WSET. Currently, she is the Communications Coordinator at Presbyterian Homes & Family Services. She resides in Lynchburg with her husband and son.

Leon Hill

Leon Hill is an independent long-term care insurance agent in Lynchburg. He is also the author of “The 7 Things to Consider Before Purchasing Long Term Care Insurance.” Learn more at www.leonhilllongtermcare.com, or at www.facebook.com/leonhill.

Megan L. House Megan L. House is a freelance writer, author of “Passage to Freedom” and “Journalism Basics.” Megan graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in communications. With her concentration in print journalism, House developed her love for newspaper and magazine writing throughout college.

Aaron Lee

Aaron Lee spent five years editing and reporting for newspapers in Lynchburg and Amherst and Nelson counties. A native of Lynchburg, he has worked as a reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance and the Daily Progress in Charlottesville, where he covered University of Virginia academics. Aaron now freelances and works at a nonprofit urban farm in Lynchburg.

Colleen A. McLaughlin

Colleen A. McLaughlin, Ph.D., SPHR, has owned and operated three businesses as well as provided human resource consulting to various organizations. She have been in education for more than 13 years and has held the positions of Interim Administrator and Director of Education. McLaughlin is a senior certified HR professional and holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major emphasis in Computer Science from Central Texas University, a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Tarleton State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organization and Management with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Capella University. She is currently the President for the Central VA chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management as well as the advisor for the student SHRM chapter at Liberty University.

Dominique McKay

Dominique McKay graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelors of Science in Print Journalism and a minor in Graphic Design. During that time, she worked as a writer with the Liberty Champion newspaper, Liberty Selah yearbook and Liberty’s Office of Promotional Publication. Dominique is currently pursuing a M.A. in Communications at Liberty.

Scott Meeks

Scott Meeks is an eco-journalist, blogger and writer with more than 17 years of experience. Currently, he hosts a syndicated GREEN lifestyle segment for television and produces an eco-focused video blog called www.easygreentv.com. Throughout the years, Scott has worked behind and in front of the camera at television stations in Baltimore, Raleigh and Washington, DC. But he got his start doing just about everything at Lynchburg’s ABC affiliate, WSET. Scott was born and raised in the Hill City and is a proud graduate of E.C. Glass High School and Lynchburg College.

David Norcross

David Norcross has worked in virtually every area of print, advertising and marketing over the last 30 years. He began his career working in manufacturing at Piedmont Label Company in Bedford, Virginia. Since that time, he has served in middle and upper level management in various companies within the printing and advertising markets. David is currently Senior Account Executive for Prototype Advertising in Forest, Virginia.

Sam M. Patel, Esq.

Sam M. Patel is a managing partner with Patel & Dalrymple, PLLC, a general practice law firm with a focus on real estate, estate planning and business law. He attended Texas Tech University and graduated from the University of Pittsburg School of Law. Prior to his entry into private practice, he served as a student law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Ramsey
Suzanne Ramsey is a freelance writer who lives in Lynchburg with her husband, John, and cats, Hector and Edna. Since graduating from Liberty University, she has worked as a newspaper reporter, police detective, office manager and PR professional. She enjoys acting in local independent films (and does her own stunts). Her work has also appeared in Virginia Wildlife, Centra Focus and Lynchburg Living.

Daniel T. Richardson

Daniel T. Richardson is an educator with 13 years of teaching experience working with grades Pre K through 12th. He is currently an Instructional Technology and Remedial Reading teacher for Appomattox County Public Schools. Daniel holds a double Bachelor’s degree in History and Education from Longwood University and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.

Kate Schoener

Kate Schoener has worked with design, photography and writing and is a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations.

Camille Smith

Camille Smith is a freelance writer who has contributed to four of the five area publications produced by Prototype Media. She graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism where she wrote for the Liberty Champion, the university’s newspaper.

Hilary Sutton

Hilary Sutton is a freelance writer and an actress from Nashville, TN. She earned a degree in communications from Liberty University in 2007 and has since written for various print and online publications and performed in theatres up and down the east coast.

Carrie Williams

Carrie Williams is a Lynchburg native who began writing in college when she acted as editor, photographer and copy writer for an art’s publication on campus. She is now a reporter with the News & Advance as well as a member of Young Professionals of Central Virginia. Carrie holds a degree to Fine Arts from Christopher Newport University with a double concentration in Art History and Studio Art. In addition to writing, Carrie is a commissioned artist who has been featured in several locations throughout Virginia.