Team

 

ThurstonTalk.com has an experienced team made up of people who live and play in the Thurston County area.

 

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Dan Jones, CEO, Founder, dan.jones@thurstontalk.com

Martin McElliott, VP of Sales, martin.mcelliott@thurstontalk.com

Amy Rowley, Editor, amy.rowley@thurstontalk.com

Stephen Backholm, VP of Technology, technology@thurstontalk.com

Dawn Black, Back Office Support, billing@thurstontalk.com

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Writers  – writers@thurstontalk.com

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Stacee Sledge

Stacee is a local writer, originally from Iowa, who began her career at Better Homes & Gardens magazine. After receiving her master’s degree in journalism in 1996, she moved to Bellingham, Washington, where she wrote features and profiles for a wide range of national and local magazines, newspapers and websites.

Stacee relocated to Olympia with her husband and their two young children in 2008 and is excited to be writing about local people and places for Thurston Talk.

Gail Wood

Gail Wood is an award-winning sportswriter, writing for the Olympian for 23 1/2 years. He’s written for more than 60 publications, including USA Today, Guideposts, Athlon Sports and Family Circle. He met his wife in an interview for a story he was writing.

Laurie O’Brien

Laurie is a Thurston County writer, wife and mother of two teenage sons.  In addition to hauling her children all over the state for their activities, she finds time to volunteer at her local elementary school and to sing in a chorus with 35 of her best friends.  A  trained English teacher, Laurie has spent most of her adult life involved in recreation and organized camping.  These days, you’re likely to find her behind her camera at bike races and soccer games.

Alec Clayton

Alec Clayton is a longtime arts writer for The News Tribune, The Olympian and the Weekly Volcano. He is a former editor and publisher and has been published in magazines and newspapers nationwide. He is also a novelist with five published novels and a book of art criticism.

Ken Balsley

Ken Balsley has been covering news and politics in Thurston County for more than 41 years.   He works in both print and broadcast. Ken has a local radio show and a monthly print newsletter.  He also has a business and political blog.

Amy Rowley

Amy is a Washington-native who is happy to call Olympia home since 2008.  With a bachelor’s degree from UW, Amy took a brief hiatus to Boston to earn a Master’s in Business Administration.  After a career in human resources, she has found a niche in operations of small businesses and a sincere love of non-profit management.  She has written numerous newsletters and fundraising brochures and is excited to translate these skills to ThurstonTalk.  Beyond volunteering as a board member for three local, non-profit organizations, you will find Amy shuttling her two young daughters, sewing a quick project, or running with friends.

Mary Ellen Psaltis

Mary Ellen Psaltis eats food every day and loves it. She finds food fascinating, fun and limitless in possibilities. She believes that eating well is a foundation for being well. Mary Ellen speaks and writes in varied venues about making healthy life choices. She is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. For the most part she eats in Thurston County, but her travels take her across the globe. Two of her favorite things are cats and chocolate.

Doris Faltys

Doris has lived in the Olympia area for many years.   She has taught many art related classes for various agencies in the community and held volunteer positions in public education, crisis intervention, radio, and public service.  Frequently she can be found in her studio working on pottery, photography, watercolor, silk painting, Ukrainian Egg dyeing , or something a friend wants to try out together.   She is co-owner of Polar Bear Construction a small company building custom homes and remodels  that has offered customers the opportunities to incorporate “Green Building” technologies and materials into their projects for the last 20 years.   Doris has a BFA in Ceramics and Metal Smithing and a BA in K-12 Art Education.

Anne Larsen

A Minnesota native, Anne moved to Olympia in 1992 to attend The Evergreen State College and never looked back. When her dream of saving the Earth was crushed by the realization that it might require math skills, she switched directions and earned a Masters in Public Administration. Currently you can find her spinning pedals and tunes in The Valley’s Indoor Cycling Studio, volunteering at Griffin School, and saying “yes” to every other volunteer opportunity presented to her. She’s fired up about sports and kids, and is hoping she’s got an Olympic hopeful in her brood of 3.

 

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Matt – High School Intern

Matt will be entering his senior year at Timberline High School in Lacey. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Timberline’s newsmagazine, The Blazer, which placed fifth in the nation for high school journalism at the 2011 National Scholastic Press Association best-of-show competition in Anaheim, Calif. Matt was awarded a “Superior” in high school sports writing at the 2010 NSPA competition in Portland, Ore – the highest level of award that can be won as a high school journalist. He also serves as the President of Timberline’s National Honor Society and volunteers as a commissioner on Lacey’s Historical Commission. He enjoys reading a variety of literature along with magazines such as Sports Illustrated and TIME. In his free time, he plays baseball, hangs out with his friends and family, while attempting to keep his eccentric dog, Homer, busy and happy.

Larisa – High School Intern

Larisa is a senior at Capital High School. Next year she will indulge her love of photography and journalism at University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She has explored bicycling, painting, Irish dancing, volunteering and much more during her years in Olympia and is excited for the experiences to come.

Jasmine – High School Intern

Jasmine is a 17 year old senior attending River Ridge High School. This fall she became the editor and chief of River Ridge’s newspaper called The Hawkeye. She participates on the schools dance team as well as the  hip hope club at River Ridge. After she graduates in spring of 2012 she is going to work toward her PhD in psychiatry.

Morgan – High School Intern

Morgan is a Running Start student at South Puget Sound Community College who is writing articles for ThurstonTalk.com. She is gaining real world experience to complement her desires of being in journalism once she graduates from college.

Nate – High School Intern

Nathan is a senior at Tumwater High School.  He is also the senior editor of the Tumwater High School newspaper, The Talon.  The small journalism class of twenty students produces a great newspaper that allows students to have a voice in the school.  Nathan is excited to have the privilege to be a part of ThurstonTalk and represent Tumwater High School.  He enjoys highlighting students at the school who excel not only in academics and sports, but students who have exceptional character and a desire to positively impact Tumwater High School and community.

Danielle- High School Intern

Danielle is a senior at Northwest Christian High school. She’s currently involved in their outreach team which is a community service group that organizes chapels. She is a chief editor for NCHS’s monthly school paper. She is a student leader in her youth group at Capital Christian Center and every Monday and Thursday, she attends the Student Leadership program.  She enjoys writing poetry as well as serving her community through Community Youth Services. Next year, she plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, the world’s largest Christian university.

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Photography

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Diane – Photographer

Diane McGregor is a professional free lance photographer based in Lacey, Washington. She earned a BA in Fine Arts with a special emphasis on photography, with her specialty being portrait and wedding photography. Diane has been in the business for over 25 years, and has shot in such remote places as New Zealand. She is available for both studio and onsite shoots, and welcomes the opportunity to sit down with you to discuss your wedding, senior portrait, family portrait, or any other project needing a professional touch.

Colleen – Photographer

Colleen is a grandmother of 7 who has lived in Olympia for 21 years.  From 1994-2010 she spent her summers working as a tour guide in Alaska and the Yukon while taking hundreds of  photographs along the way.  Now that she has retired from her tour work, she has embarked on a new career path that combines her love of nature with her excellent photography skills.

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Sales – sales@thurstontalk.com

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Tim                    Covering the Tumwater area

Brent                 Covering the Olympia area

Matt                   Covering Thurston County

Walt                   Covering the Lacey area

Ryan                  Covering Thurston County