Dan Patrell

Title: President, Great State Publishing, LLC; Co-Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Maryland Life; Co-Chair, the Maryland Board, the statewide advisory board to Maryland Life
What I do at Maryland Life: Maryland Life, in its six-year existence, has developed a strong brand and a loyal following. My job is to make sure that each issue is the perfect complement to this great state. Working with our editorial staff and ideas that come from our readers, contributors, and Maryland Board, we hash out stories for upcoming issues. Working with our outstanding account executives, we work on marketing campaigns that help advertisers reach Maryland’s finest, in print and online. I also work with other businesses and organizations that are looking to reach unique audiences through publications that may appear in Maryland Life (such as MdHS News from the Maryland Historical Society) or be published separately (such as visitor guides like Visit Deep Creek Lake and Discover St. Mary’s County).
What I like about working at Maryland Life: Since the beginning of this venture, I have loved and treasured the ability to get to know virtually every corner of the state, while also making wonderful friends in every county. After six years, the sense of discovery about this state has only increased, and it is this sense that fuels every issue of the magazine.
What I love about Maryland: I love everything. The mountains. The bay. Waking up for a morning stroll on the beach in Ocean City. Discovering early Maryland in Historic St. Mary’s City. Listening to writers’ ghost stories on the Eastern Shore. Having a Zen-like moment while sitting in a field of black-eyed Susans on St. Clements Island. Waiting forever for a reservation at Volt in Frederick, giving up, and then going urban funky instead at Café Nola (and liking it). Finding a great Cuban restaurant in Silver Spring. Discovering wonderful coffeehouses like Viva Espresso in Salisbury. Smith Island Cake. The events of the War of 1812, which really happened in 1814 (go figure). The solemnity of Antietam. The bravery of military men and women in Aberdeen. Minor League Baseball mascots: Keyote in Frederick or the Delmarva Shorebird, who gave my then-5-year-old daughter a big ol’ bear hug. Cool crab pendants from Maertens Fine Jewelry. Making mosaics at Gallery 26 in Easton. Touring the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Gaping in awe at what a national treasure the American Visionary Art Museum is. Cabins around Deep Creek Lake. Getting lost in Columbia. Coming full circle in Columbia. Realizing that Victoria Gastro Pub is one easy exit away—in Columbia. Finding one-of-a-kind stores like the Book Mark’et in Oakland. Funky furniture finds in Cumberland. The Inn at Five Gables, for a great spa and a dog-friendly business. Pottery that speaks to me in Elkton. Enjoying Guinness at an Irish pub in Denton. Knowing that slots already exist in Chesapeake Beach. The Maryland Zoo. The penguins at the Maryland Zoo. Sushi in Cumberland. Joie de Vivre in Cambridge (make sure you specify Maryland in your Google search). Decoy Heritage: Ward Brothers, Havre de Grace, Canvasback Gallery. Sunken boats as a remembrance of things past. Jazz at the Bluebird Blues Fest. The world’s best Chinese restaurant in Bowie. Wine trails taking me to places like Elk Run Vineyards, Boordy Vineyards, and more. The people. The historical figures. Poe’s grave. The half-bottle of cognac left on Poe’s grave every year. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s grave in Rockville. Horse country. Winning $100+ at the Preakness. Eating crabs with Whitey Schmidt. Getting married in Maryland. Raising a kid in Maryland. Living in Maryland.

*****

Pat Smith

Title: Customer Service Manager
What I do at Maryland Life: I update renewals and invoice payments for our subscriber database, as well as enter contracts into the advertising database. I provide mailing lists for our printer, send out renewals and invoices, order office supplies, and keep track of invoices that need to be paid. I also provide reports to our accounts and to Great Southern Enterprises, answer the office phones, and send out comp or missing copies of the magazine to anyone who needs them.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: It’s wonderful to work for a publication where our subscribers are so loyal and actually love the publication. I constantly hear about the wonderful stories and photographs that appear in each issue. And you know that your subscribers actually read the publication, because they’re very quick to point out any errors they spot, and they’re also willing to provide additional details for specific stories. It’s a family here at Maryland Life, and we’re all more than willing to help each other out whenever possible.
What I love about Maryland: I have lived in Maryland most of my life, except for a short stay in Minnesota. What is not to love about Maryland? You have the beautiful mountains and the sleepy small towns all over the state. My favorite place is the beach, where you can sit and relax and just people-watch all day and then go and have a wonderful seafood meal later on. You can do it all here in Maryland, from skiing to whitewater rafting—whatever you enjoy most.

*****

Shannon Morgan

Title: Senior Editor
What I do at Maryland Life: I usually answer that question with a question: What don’t I do? Primarily, I work with our freelancer photographers, assigning articles to photograph for the magazine. I coordinate the editorial production of the magazine and supplementary publications like the Deep Creek Lake Visitors Guide. I write our e-newsletter. I edit and contribute to our blog. And I’m the voice behind our Facebook page and sometimes our Twitter account.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: Even though I grew up in Maryland and have called it home for most of my life, I’m still learning new things about my home state, and that’s one of the things I love about working at Maryland Life. That and getting to attend cool events like the Preakness for free. ;)
What I love about Maryland: I love that you can travel the state in a short amount of time and truly experience America in miniature. One summer, I traveled from Frederick to Ocean City to Rocky Gap and back to Frederick all in one weekend. That was a long time ago, when I was much younger and didn’t need nearly as much sleep, but I really enjoyed seeing the beach and the mountains all in one trip.

*****

Holly Smith 


Title: Managing Editor

What I do at Maryland Life: I assign stories, maintain the master editorial planner, vet new writers, edit/fact-check/rewrite articles as needed, write headlines, and blog. If there's a glaring typo in a story or headline, there's a good chance it's my fault!

What I like about working at Maryland Life: I’m a writer, too, so I really enjoy working with other writers to develop compelling stories that (I hope) our readers will enjoy. I also love—and am continually amazed by—the fact that our three-person editorial team can put out such a solid product issue after issue.

What I love about Maryland: I love that it has so many different "feels," depending on where you are. You can splash in the ocean, bike along country roads, climb mountains, savor pretty much any cuisine, take in a world-class show, or club-hop until 3 a.m., all without leaving the state. I also love how Maryland is such a huge part of the Washington, DC, area without losing an ounce of its own unique identity. I'll always be an Ohio girl at heart, but I'm glad I now get to call Maryland home (although crab feasts still make me cringe).

*****

Jennifer Davis Pfister

Title: Production Coordinator (as stated on my business card, although my hats are growing)

What I do at Maryland Life: I work with advertisers to receive camera-ready files and materials for ad production and give them the best printing results possible. I manage the advertising production list and block throughout the production cycle, deliver (and coordinate with our graphic designer) all the advertising going into the magazine, and approve all the ads that run. I also help design and produce our internal marketing materials, along with our print and web advertising.

What I like about working at Maryland Life: The quality of the magazine and the dedication to the state and its culture.
What I love about Maryland: The variety in the state (the countryside, big cities, etc.), the education system, the arts and culture, and, of course, the history.
 
*****

Marie N. Boshoff

Title: Graphic Designer
What I do at Maryland Life: I coordinate the flow of art as it pertains to the printed and digital products, and I create much of the visual look and identity of our products. I work closely with editors, photographers, and the production coordinator to create the consistent, overall look and feel that crosses over all magazines and additional publications, advertisers, website/digital, and marketing materials distributed by Great State Publishing LLC. 
What I like about working at Maryland Life: Every day, I learn something new about Maryland's culture and scenic beauty. I also love having the opportunity to design publications that encourage readership. 
What I love about Maryland: After spending a few years living in the Midwest, I have a newfound appreciation for the state I call home. Recently, I have been rediscovering the mountains, the ocean, the winding country roads, Maryland crabs, and four distinct seasons that can be enjoyed year round (unlike in the Midwest, where the winter seems to last an eternity). These are the Maryland elements that I have missed the most. 

*****

Connie Walker

Title: Website Manager

What I do at Maryland Life: I update and maintain our website, www.MarylandLife.com.

What I like about working at Maryland Life: I love my job because I get to take lots of great stories and photos and put them up on our website so they can be enjoyed by people wanting to learn more about our state. I also love it when we can provide our visitors even more details, resources, and links to help them further explore a topic on the Internet.

What I love about Maryland: This state has so much to offer in terms of culture, events, activities, and places to explore with my family that I think I've only scratched the surface. I look forward to many more adventures while exploring Maryland's wonderful and diverse offerings.

*****

Helen Vanskiver

Title: Independent Account Executive
What I do at Maryland Life: My responsibilities are to sell advertising space to new and existing clients, and to work closely with them in creating ads and keeping them informed of what issues/marketing events will benefit them.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: The support and help from the publishers and staff. We have a wonderful team, and everyone works well together. We all love our beautiful magazine and are proud of it.
What I love about Maryland: The Eastern Shore, western Maryland, and Annapolis. The Chesapeake Bay is very special, and I love boating on the bay and in our many beautiful rivers, such as the Wye River. There is so much to do in Maryland, and it offers excellent healthcare and education, too.

*****

Kathy Hawkins

Title: Independent Account Executive
What I do at Maryland Life: I am an advertising/marketing professional, and I assist companies and organizations with increasing their bottom line.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: The people that I get to meet from all over the great state. There are so many things to see, learn about, and be a part of that my job never gets boring.
What I love about Maryland: Having been born and raised in Maryland, I have to say that the original “crab cake” recipe from the Old Bay container is my favorite. I love boating; whether it’s on the Chesapeake or Assawoman Bay, it’s always a great time to spend with friends and family. Another thing I love about Maryland is the fact that you can spend one day in the mountains of Garrett County and the next day on the beach at Ocean City. Maryland has it all!

*****

Vicki Foertschbeck

Title: Independent Account Executive

What I do at Maryland Life: I help clients grow their businesses by promoting their products or services in the most effective way.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: Meeting new and exciting people from all over the state. Working for Maryland Life is a natural fit, as I am born and raised in Maryland.
What I love about Maryland: Although I've lived in many areas around the state, I have to say the Chesapeake Bay is closest to my heart. As a child, I spent my summers sailing and racing on the bay with my family. Charting courses, crabbing, and spending quiet nights anchored in creeks on the Eastern Shore were commonplace for me. I've been picking crabs since I was 4, and I enjoy them the "real" way—on a newspaper-lined picnic table with just a mallet, my hands, and a side of cider vinegar.

*****

Nuala Rooney

Title: Senior Account Executive
What I do at Maryland Life: I work with clients to promote and grow their business by developing a marketing plan that is individually tailored to their needs.
What I like about working at Maryland Life: I feel honored to be working for such a beautiful publication and with a great group of people!
What I love about Maryland: Maryland is truly America in miniature. We have the ocean, mountains, and the beautiful change of seasons. We are so lucky to be living in such a diverse and exciting state!