OUR PEOPLE

Vista Graphics Inc. //

OUR PEOPLE

VISTAGRAPHICS STAFF

Our employees are experienced, dedicated and loyal, and we are proud that the majority of our staff members have grown along with us;
the average employee tenure is eight years, and most upper management has 15-24 years with the company.

Sales

RANDY THOMPSON

Chief Executive Officer & Publisher

Randy’s education, a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), BS (Bachelor of Science in Distributive Education) and an MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) was early preparation for founding and growing VistaGraphics, Inc., a regional media company. After four-and-a-half years in sales and sales management for an international consumer goods company, Randy took the entrepreneurial leap by purchasing the rights to a local market of a national travel magazine in 1985. Literally a one-man operation working from his garage, Randy launched his first independent guide in 1987, the Virginia Beach Visitors Guide. Under Randy’s leadership, VistaGraphics has grown to more than 30 publications in a 5-state area. His leadership has included a balanced business approach with revenue comprised of approximately 30% lifestyle publishing and event marketing, 40% tourism/destination publishing, and 30% digital media. Away from work, Randy enjoys time with his family; 3 children and two grandchildren on the way. Most fall weekends find him cheering on his beloved JMU Dukes football team. He enjoys a round of golf from time to time but mostly loves being on his tractor at his home in the rural Pungo area of Virginia Beach, always building or working on the next home project.

PAUL BRANNOCK

President & Associate Publisher

Paul joined VistaGraphics over 28 years ago and has contributed to every aspect of the company’s daily operations and manages a talented team of sales, circulation, marketing and administrative professionals. With his acquired and extensive knowledge of the travel and hospitality industry combined with his dedication to the product line, Paul has greatly contributed to the overall success and stability that VistaGraphics enjoys. Paul is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a BSBA in Business and a Minor in Marketing.

JAY BELLAMY

Digital Sales Director

Since 1999 Jay has served as an Account Executive, Sales Manager and Corporate Trainer. He is extremely proficient in the areas of digital sales, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing), websites, mobile apps and most recently programmatic advertising. Jay is also certified in Google Digital Sales.

BRITTANY PROCTOR

Account Executive: Virginia Beach

CHRISTIE BERRY

Account Executive: Cova

FRANK MOORE

Account Executive: CovaBiz

MISSY THOMA

Team Leader: Lynchburg, VA

Missy was born in Vermont, but raised in Virginia. She attended Lynchburg College and received a BA in Business and a BS in Exercise Science. Missy has been with Vista Graphics since 2014 and enjoys meeting with clients for all their print and digital needs.

JEFF WALSTON

Account Executive: Brunswick Islands, Crystal Coast

JEFF DONOHUE

Associate Publisher/Editor: Outer Banks Coastal Life, Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks and Outer Banks Visitors Guide Magazine

Jeff Donohue has been part of the VistaGraphics family for more than 25 years, leading the Outer Banks office to becoming the company’s strongest Visitors Guide Magazine market. He was recently promoted to Associate Publisher & Editor of our Outer Banks publications.

EILEEN SPERRY

Account Executive: Savor, goWilliamsburg

Eileen is Virginia born and raised with more than 20 years of media experience. A degree in Journalism quickly translated into a career in media. Specializing in software training, as well as digital and print solutions, Eileen is a familiar name and face to Virginia DMOs and attractions.

NEIL BROWN

Account Executive: Ocean CIty & Delaware Beaches

After joining VistaGraphics in 2006, Neil proved his understanding of the Ocean City market and that he knows what it takes to find the best solutions for any business. Neil prides himself on his ability to predict the trends of the Ocean City visitor market.

BOB FINKE

Account Executive: Cova

Bob Finke joined the Coastal Virginia Magazine and VistaGraphics team in 2021. Prior to working for CoVa, Bob worked for Sinclair Communications in Norfolk as an account executive and an on-air radio talk show host. Bob has more than 30 years of experience in media. He began his career at WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, MS. in 1988. Following a short stint at a TV station in Tupelo, MS., he moved to Hampton Roads in 1992, joining WTKR-TV as a news anchor and reporter. Bob enjoys exploring Coastal Virginia's haunts with his wife Dawn (they are now empty nesters) as well as playing golf and living and dying every weekend in the fall with The Washington Football Team.

BOB WEBER

Business Development Director

Bob Weber was hired in 2021 as our Business Development Director. In this role, he is responsible for all sales growth for Coastal Virginia Magazine and all Lynchburg Publications and associated products. Before joining the VistaGraphics team, Bob held positions at Smithfield Foods as their VP of Corporate Marketing, Williamsburg Winery as the VP of Sales/Marketing and VP Publisher for Travel+Leisure Golf @ American Express Publishing. Hailing from Queens, New York, Bob attended Pratt Institute majoring in Industrial Design and then attended St. John’s University, where he obtained a BS in Marketing. We forgive Bob for his Yankee upbringing, and welcome him to the southern hospitality ways of Coastal Virginia and surrounding areas. He has many interests that will suit him well in Coastal Virginia as he is an avid golfer, avid road bike cyclist, extremely avid car enthusiast, and is a somewhat accomplished guitarist. In his free time, Bob is still editing, designing, and ad selling the Porsche Club quarterly magazine, “Horizontally Opposed”.

Alexis Pignatelli

Account Executive: CoVa

PRODUCTION

HOLLY WATTERS

Vice President of Production

Holly has been at the helm of VistaGraphics’ production department for 32 years and has successfully built a design team that creates beautiful, quality and creative products. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BA in Arts, Holly brings a creative eye and structured leadership principles to ensure impressive design standards with each product. Through the years, Holly has developed an effective and efficient workflow that encompasses members of the sales team, client relations managers and design staff. By fostering strong communication with all parties involved, she successfully meets and exceeds deadlines while preserving the integrity of the design and the client’s brand. Holly views every title and each client as “most important” and enthusiastically works to exceed goals and expectations. She works with her team of designers to skillfully blend various styles resulting in high quality publications that stand apart from the competition. She tasks herself with consistently monitoring our competition and collaborates with members of our management team to ensure that VistaGraphics stays ahead of the curve— especially with regard to technological advances, design techniques and print and press industry standards.

DAVID UHRIN

Creative Director

David Uhrin has been a part of the VistaGraphics team for more than 26 years. As Creative Director, David's artistic influence is seen on the covers of our magazines, in editorial layouts and many advertisements within the publications. His photography has grown in the two and a half decades in publishing and enjoys exploring new techniques and artistry, whether it's photographing jewelry, food, fashion, real estate and many more. David obtained his BFA from Kutztown University’s Communication Design program in Pennsylvania, with a focus at Buckinghamshire, England for editorial design.

CHRIS MELIGONIS

Art Director, Lynchburg Publications

Chris has been with VistaGraphics for over 15 years. With a degree in Mass Communications specializing in Creative Advertising, his background has provided the basis to being the Art Director of the Lynchburg publications. His creative work ranges from designing the magazines, branding and production for all Lynchburg titles.

ROBIN CATHER

Production Manager

Robin has been with VistaGraphics for over 20 years. Most of her emphasis is on print production and paper acquisition, working very closely with the Art Department and outside vendors to ensure quality publications and timely delivery.

JOSH HARALSON

Lead Designer

Josh graduated from Old Dominion University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts focused in Graphic Design. He started as an intern with VistaGraphics before being brought on part time. He started with the company full time as a Sales Collateral artist in 2013 before being promoted to a Lead Designer.

CHRISTINA SINCLAIR

Art Director, Outer Banks Coastal Life, Outer Banks Wedding Guide / Lead Designer

Christina has lived in the Coastal Virginia area for over 30 years and has been with VistaGraphics since 2015. She loves working with like-minded professionals, designing, producing and managing projects, including all the Outer Banks publications and Virginia’s Blue Ridge Visitor Guide. Christina was recently promoted to Art Director over Outer Banks Coastal Life and Outer Banks Wedding Guide magazines.

Julie Matthews

Client Relations Manager

Julie came to Vista early in 2022 taking on the role of Client Relations Manager. She enjoys collaborating on projects and cultivating strong relationships with team members and clients. Julie's previous roles have included marketing communications, project management and editorial services. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. Eventually Julie relocated to Oregon before deciding to call Coastal Virginia home.

EDITORIAL

MEGAN WILLIAMS

Managing Editor, Lynchburg Publications

Megan is a Central Virginia native who is quick to tell newcomers where to find the best pizza, beer, and fries in the area (ask her about it sometime). With a background in communications and marketing, Megan is passionate about telling an authentic story that gets readers excited about the people, places, and experiences that make up this community.

JEFF DONOHUE

Associate Publisher/Editor: Outer Banks Coastal Life, Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks and Outer Banks Visitors Guide Magazine

LEONA BAKER

Editor-in-Chief, CoVa Publications

Leona is a writer, editor, creative, communications professional, food fanatic, news junkie, arts and nature lover, wife, and mother of a college student. In her published writing, she has covered a broad range of topics from arts and culture to public policy and politics. She previously served as Senior Editor for Port Folio Weekly, Director of Marketing & Communications for Virginia Wesleyan University, and Senior Copywriter for Spark451, a New York-based marketing agency specializing in higher education.

KELSEY THOMAS

Web Content Manager

Kelsey joined the VistaGraphics team in 2021 and manages a wide range of digital products and platforms. Her management includes social media, event marketing, web/email marketing, contest facilitation, lifestyle e-newsletters and more. She is also the Editor of our Virginia Beach, Lake Anna, Crystal Coast and Cape Fear Coast Visitors Guides and a contributing writer to Coastal Virginia Magazine and CoVa BIZ Magazine. Kelsey graduated from James Madison University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and a Minor in Creative Writing. She can often be found behind the camera at our many events, out and about in the community trying local bites or at a local dance studio where she also teaches children K-12.

BETH HESTER

Managing Editor of Coastal Virginia Business Magazine

Beth has been writing for VistaGraphics on various magazines since 2007. As Managing Editor of Coastal Virginia Business Magazine (CoVa BIZ), she’ll be responsible for helping VistaGraphics grow the magazine, and expand the content and reach of the publication’s digital assets. She’s also looking forward to working with Outer Banks Coastal Life, and products devoted to highlighting Coastal Virginia’s many outdoor adventure and tourism opportunities.

MARKETING & EVENTS

KATHRYN KELLY

Digital Marketing Director

Hayley Thomas

Event Coordinator & Sales Executive

Hayley started with VistaGraphics in 2022 as our Event Coordinator. She studied Hospitality Management at James Madison University, where she found her passion for events. She plans and organizes several events throughout the year including our annual WineFest, Wedding Showcase, CoVa Cocktail, and Battle of the Burgers.

Web & IT

CHRIS MURPHY

Web Creative Director

Chris has been with VistaGraphics for 24 years where she gained experience in design, brand development, magazine publishing, web design/development and project management. During this time she has worn many hats, Lead Artist, Assistant Art Director, Art Director and now Web Creative Director. As Web Creative Director, Chris manages the web team, quotes projects, creates web proposals, designs all custom websites for corporate and client use, manages all projects and development schedules in addition to aiding in the development process for all websites.

I.J. JAMES

Web Developer/SEO Specialist

As Web Developer, IJ leads the development of larger projects for corporate and client use. As SEO Specialist, she also makes sure that new or existing websites can perform properly on the Google network and help generate organic results and traffic.

SHAWN THOMAS

I.T. Administrator

Shawn came on board in 2020 as VistaGraphics I.T. Administrator. In this role, he provides I.T. Support for all company networks, phone and user systems. Shawn is a U.S. Army Veteran who served at several stations including Hawaii and Iraq. He has been providing Network Engineering, Administration, and I.T. Support for programs and projects within the defense industry for over 15 years. Born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Shawn was raised in Northampton County. Currently he working toward a B.S. in Network Management. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with family, FOOD!, RV’ing, golf, and travel. He is always looking for an adventure outdoors and is a huge sci-fi and horror movie fan.

Circulation & Distribution

KIP RUPOSKY

Distribution Manager

As Distribution Manager, Kip is charged with the overall disbursement and delivery of more than 30 VistaGraphics titles that span a five-state region and manages a ten-person distribution staff. He ensures the successful placement and delivery of more than a million and a half magazines each year.

Mandy Tanner

Circulation Management Specialist

ACCOUNTING

ANITA BURNS

Controller

Anita started at VistaGraphics in March 2007 as the companies Financial Controller. In her role as Controller, she oversees the financial and human resource operations of the company. She also deals with all outside Insurance Agents, Accountants, Banks, and Government Officials. Anita was born in Dayton, Ohio, and lived in rural Ohio for all of her childhood. She attended the University of Dayton, where she graduated with a BS in Business Administration with an Accounting major. Anita has worked for several years in the accounting field in various industries in Dayton, Philadelphia, and Coastal Virginia.