Kate Rader, Owner/Publisher
Kate is an award-winning graphic designer and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience creating marketing campaigns and high-end publications in various markets, including Washington, D.C., and Sarasota, Fla. She formed RidgeRunner Publishing, LLC after launching Hagerstown magazine in October 2004 at 64 pages, growing it to its largest issue of 200 pages, and subsequently brought Bliss bridal magazine, HM@Home and Due North annuals to the regional market. Kate and RidgeRunner frequently partner with companies and organizations to create custom publications, including South Mountain Recreation Area Adventure Guide, Hagerstown-Washington County Visitor Guide and Maryland State Park Guide for Garrett County, and projects like Hagerstown Community College’s STEM report, which won a gold medallion for excellence from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. RRP also offers several hands-on marketing opportunities to advertisers through events such as the annual BLISS Bridal Gala, and has recently begun to publish books.   more...

Kate Rader, Owner/Publisher
Kate is an award-winning graphic designer and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience creating marketing campaigns and high-end publications in various markets, including Washington, D.C., and Sarasota, Fla. She formed RidgeRunner Publishing, LLC after launching Hagerstown magazine in October 2004 at 64 pages, growing it to its largest issue of 200 pages, and subsequently brought Bliss bridal magazine, HM@Home and Due North annuals to the regional market. Kate and RidgeRunner frequently partner with companies and organizations to create custom publications, including South Mountain Recreation Area Adventure Guide, Hagerstown-Washington County Visitor Guide and Maryland State Park Guide for Garrett County, and projects like Hagerstown Community College’s STEM report, which won a gold medallion for excellence from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. RRP also offers several hands-on marketing opportunities to advertisers through events such as the annual BLISS Bridal Gala, and has recently begun to publish books. 

Kate’s passion and creativity are apparent as she directs the magazines’ respective missions to promote the best that life in Washington County and the surrounding area has to offer, while examining issues of interest in a way that enlightens and entertains. She manages RidgeRunner Publishing’s operations, and oversees the company’s sales and creative efforts. She holds a BFA in graphic design from Shepherd College and believes in the power of giving and community spirit. Kate is a member of several Chambers of Commerce and the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB, serves on several boards and committees for organizations such as Augustoberfest and the United Way’s marketing committee, and is a graduate of Leadership Hagerstown Class XIX. She is an adjunct instructor at Shepherd College in the Graphic Design department. ...less

Stacey Campbell, Managing Editor
After growing up in a quiet Smithsburg neighborhood, Stacey attended McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) in Westminster, Md., graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English and communication. Following graduation, she spent several years living in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Hampton, Va., working as a server and bartender. During this time she raided the local libraries, devouring books on the environment, the founding fathers and current social issues, along with multiple Victorian-era novels. Stacey and her high school sweetheart, Chaz, returned to Washington County in 2005, married a year later and recently purchased their first home in town. Together with Abigail, their Siberian husky, and feisty English springer spaniel, Mike, they enjoy many long walks, projects around the house, and spending time with friends and family. more...

Stacey Campbell & Managing Editor
After growing up in a quiet Smithsburg neighborhood, Stacey attended McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) in Westminster, Md., graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English and communication. Following graduation, she spent several years living in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Hampton, Va., working as a server and bartender. During this time she raided the local libraries, devouring books on the environment, the founding fathers and current social issues, along with multiple Victorian-era novels. Stacey and her high school sweetheart, Chaz, returned to Washington County in 2005, married a year later and recently purchased their first home in town. Together with Abigail, their Siberian husky, and feisty English springer spaniel, Mike, they enjoy many long walks, projects around the house, and spending time with friends and family.

Stacey joined the RidgeRunner Publishing team in March 2007 after working as an editorial assistant and copy editor for The Frederick News-Post. Here, she collaborates on story planning, edits stories, helps coordinate photo shoots like the annual Bliss bridal showcase, and writes bylined and non-bylined articles. Stacey has enjoyed digging into all aspects of the magazine production process, including working with clients on custom publications like PEAK Season and South Mountain Recreation Area Adventure Guide. She hopes to continue building upon her editing and writing skills to help highlight the best of her native Washington County. ...less

Krista Scarlett, Assistant Editor
A native of Western Maryland, Krista is an editorial fiend. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Frostburg State University, she packed her Jeep and headed north to Syracuse, N.Y., where she graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. After graduating, she packed up again and moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as an editor and social media marketer for a print trade association. more...

Krista Scarlett, Assistant Editor
A native of Western Maryland, Krista is an editorial fiend. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Frostburg State University, she packed her Jeep and headed north to Syracuse, N.Y., where she graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. After graduating, she packed up again and moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as an editor and social media marketer for a print trade association.

Krista returned to the area in fall 2010 and joined RidgeRunner Publishing that November. As assistant editor, Krista is involved in story planning, writing and editing bylined and non-bylined stories, special project management and compiling editorial material for RidgeRunner’s various publications. Outside of work, Krista enjoys spoiling (and spooning) her beagle, singing out of key while driving, impatiently waiting for the latest issues of Esquire and Bust magazines, laughing hysterically with friends and family, and searching for the perfect apartment in Hagerstown. ...less

Vanessa Amar, Editorial Assistant
An intern since December 2009, Vanessa officially joined the staff of the RidgeRunner Publishing editorial team in October 2010. She approaches research and writing assignments with an avid curiosity, an eye for detail and a penchant for wordplay. With university degrees that reflect her interest in history and culture, she is inspired by the life stories we all have to tell, and, thus, is happy to be writing about the people within this community. A relative newcomer to Hagerstown, Vanessa enjoys hitting the road by car or by bike to explore Washington County… and beyond!

Jenna Zelkowski, Graphic Designer
Originally from Wheeling, W.Va., Jenna is a recent graduate of Shepherd University and an award-winning graphic designer. Her designs are fun, unexpected, quirky and engaging, yet informative and appealing. As the only full-time graphic designer at RidgeRunner, Jenna’s responsibilities include designing ads, managing print production, producing editorial layout and communicating with clients. When Jenna is not busy designing, she enjoys being outside, laughing with friends, enjoying live music, sipping on tasty draft beers or seeking new adventures — from impromptu road trips across the country to pretending her cat is a ferocious lion in her backyard (and yes, she has done this before).

Tricia Pheil Johnson, Advertising Account Executive
After many years of living all across the country, Tricia recently returned to her native Hagerstown. Her interests include photography, sugar of all kinds, reading, and anything health and fitness related — particularly golf, tennis and biking. She is most happy when feathering her nest: gardening, cooking, scrap booking and beautifying her home. Extremely competitive by nature, she is a two-time official finisher of the JFK 50 Mile Ultra-Marathon and winner of the 2010 Herald-Mail Cookie Contest. She lives in Hagerstown with her daughter, Amelia Grace (who can sometimes be spotted in Hagerstown magazine), and their Siamese cat, Jelly Bean. more...

Tricia Pheil Johnson, Advertising Account Executive
After many years of living all across the country, Tricia recently returned to her native Hagerstown. Her interests include photography, sugar of all kinds, reading, and anything health and fitness related — particularly golf, tennis and biking. She is most happy when feathering her nest: gardening, cooking, scrap booking and beautifying her home. Extremely competitive by nature, she is a two-time official finisher of the JFK 50 Mile Ultra-Marathon and winner of the 2010 Herald-Mail Cookie Contest. She lives in Hagerstown with her daughter, Amelia Grace (who can sometimes be spotted in Hagerstown magazine), and their Siamese cat, Jelly Bean.

Tricia has worked for several newspapers and magazines and has owned her own fitness business. As an advertising account executive, she enjoys helping her clients tell their stories and set themselves apart from their competition. ...less

Becky Jones, Account Executive & Project Manager
As account executive and project manager, Becky does a little of everything at RidgeRunner. In addition to coordinating company projects, contacting clients about ad deadlines and materials, scheduling maintenance, and assisting with subscription and distribution lists, Becky also reaches out to prospective clients to coordinate special advertising, and helps with client research and prospect/renewal list development for sales. A resident of Funkstown, Becky also attends Frostburg State University part time where she’s working toward a degree in business administration. Before working at RidgeRunner, you might have seen her mixing drinks and chatting with patrons behind the bar at The Broad Axe. After work, she likes to travel (she’s visited all but eight states), read, take walks, listen to live music, knit and cook.