OUR MISSION To publish a multimedia-driven and truly independent news source; a medium where everyone who wants a voice, has one. To approach journalism armed with curiosity and even hands, reflecting the values ingrained in Western Montana. The Flathead Beacon is devoted to delivering thought-provoking news and commentary to the greater Flathead Valley. Printed every week in tabloid form and updated daily at flatheadbeacon.com, the Beacon encourages its readers to participate in discussions about their valley. The Beacon is a news source, in the traditional sense. Yet our seasoned journalists are asked to turn the prism when a story breaks, look at another angle and write stories that provide answers instead of pose questions. The print newspaper includes original in-depth coverage, analysis and commentary that matter to Flathead Valley residents. More innovative is our approach to our Web site. By arming our staff with the latest in audio and video technology, flatheadbeacon.com is a unique platform and an equal partner to the print edition, not an afterthought. Flatheadbeacon.com is home to original stories, citizen-hosted blogs, multimedia presentations and more. The Flathead Beacon is funded by television personality and 10-year Flathead Valley resident Maury Povich. All stories and images are protected under copyright by the Flathead Beacon or affiliated persons and organizations. The Beacon is headquartered in historic downtown Kalispell. OUR STAFF Kellyn Brown, editor in chief Kellyn is a University of Montana graduate who has spent the last several years covering crime, government and social issues as a writer and editor in the Rocky Mountain region. Upon graduating from UM in 2002, he was hired by The Associated Press to cover the North Dakota Legislature. He was then a crime reporter at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and won two regional awards for investigative reporting. Most recently, Kellyn was the city editor and a weekly columnist at the Chronicle before taking the job as editor in chief at the Flathead Beacon. editor@flatheadbeacon.com Lance Fahrney, chief revenue officer Lance was born in Ohio and partially grew up in Florida. He graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio. For 13 years he worked for a few different scuba diving magazines but his love of mountains took him to Colorado where he worked in Vail until July when he joined the Beacon team. Lance has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 17 years and they have four kids, ages 9, 7, 5 & 7 months. lance@flatheadbeacon.com Kristen Hamilton, business manager Kristen earned her degree in communications and journalism from the University of Nevada-Reno. She has lived in the Flathead Valley for almost two decades and wouldn’t trade it for the world. With an extensive tourism background in hotel and resort management then most recently as a Managing Editor for a popular lifestyle magazine in the valley, she has gained great respect and has made many friends over the years in the valley. “I’m thrilled to be at the Flathead Beacon working with a wonderful group of professionals and a product that the entire valley can take pride in.” On her free time, Kristen likes to hang out with her husband, Bob, and two great kids, Sam and Sarah. khamilton@flatheadbeacon.com Lido Vizzutti, media director Lido is a third-generation Montanan who -- upon graduating from the University of Montana in 2002 -- spent four years as a staff photographer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press; an 80,000-circulation newspaper in Chattanooga, Tenn. In 2005, Lido won a first-place regional award of excellence for his coverage of troops returning home from Iraq. His passion for photography is only matched by his passion for the great working institutions of newspapers and professional media. He is now the media director at the Flathead Beacon. lvizzutti@flatheadbeacon.com Stephen Templeton, art director Before accepting the position of art director at the Flathead Beacon, Stephen had worked for The Intelligencer in Doylestown, Penn., where he recently won a first-place regional award for editorial cartooning. He is a graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and The School Of Communication Arts (Raleigh N.C.). He worked for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Va., and then for The Fayetteville Observer prior to moving to Pennsylvania in 2005. stempleton@flatheadbeacon.com Dan Testa, senior writer Dan Testa recently graduated with a masters degree in print journalism from the University of Montana. As part of the degree, he reported on the 60th Montana Legislature for weekly newspapers throughout the state and NewWest.net. Prior to coming to Montana, Dan worked for five years at CNN in Atlanta, most recently as an associate producer and freelance national desk editor. He is a native of the Hudson Valley in New York and graduated from Colgate University in 2000. dtesta@flatheadbeacon.com Myers Reece, staff writer Myers recently completed a history degree at the University of Montana. He is a lifelong Montana resident, born and raised in Livingston. He worked for the campus newspaper at UM for two years and has written for other Montana newspapers. His work has also appeared in the Big Sky Journal, Redbone Journal, the Riverbend Publishing Book Call of the Wild: The Art of Parks Reece and Flyfisher magazine. mreece@flatheadbeacon.com Keriann Lynch, staff writer Keriann recently graduated with an undergraduate degree in print journalism from the University of Montana. She also completed work on a communication studies degree. Keriann is a life-long Montana resident, born and raised in Billings. She worked at the campus newspaper at UM for two years, and most recently worked as a reporting intern at the Billings Gazette. Other recent work experience includes a reporting internship and freelancing work for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s magazine, The Bugle, and acting as a dorm supervisor in charge of the resident assistant staff and residents of two UM dorms, including the all-male dorm. klynch@flatheadbeacon.com Bob Hunt, senior advertising director Bob earned his communications degree from Muskingum College in Ohio. He then worked at several newspapers, including the Racine (Wisconsin) Journal Times, Kewanee (Illinois) Star Courier and the Helena Independent Record. In Helena, Bob met his wife and the couple moved to the Flathead Valley. An 18-year resident of Kalispell, Bob was a Realtor and small-business owner before joining the Beacon staff. His focus is marketing and helping Flathead Valley businesses grow through advertising. The Hunts have a daughter in elementary school. hunt@flatheadbeacon.com Tamir Haymour, advertising executive Tamir graduated with a marketing degree from the University of Montana. He was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to the Flathead Valley in the spring of 2003. He earned an associates degree at FVCC before transferring to UM. He enjoys playing hockey, working out and spending time with his family. Although Tamir is new to the newspaper industry, he has made a great addition to the Flathead Beacon. thaymour@flatheadbeacon.com Dan Vogel, account executive A Pacific Northwest native and son of a career Forest Service officer, Dan Vogel ‘s professional life has taken him to positions in Washington, Idaho, Hawaii and Montana. Having attended several Community Colleges and Gonzaga University his education was always paired with practical applications in Business, Government, Education and Politics. With a twenty-five year career in Hospitality, focusing on the Wine Industry, Dan has developed a keen sense of what a business needs to stay alive. Working with the Flathead Beacon allows him to use every skill and lesson learned in a long competitive life. Dan’s wife, April Vogel, is the Education Director for the Whitefish Theatre Company. dvogel@flatheadbeacon.com Nichole Southland, account development Nichole is a Flathead Valley Community College graduate with an Associates Degree in Business Marketing. She has served a four year term at Keyport Naval Underwater Warfare Engineering Station as an E5. The experiences that the Navy has given her, she applies to help people with difficult tasks. She has been in the newspaper industry for three years and has enjoyed solving clients advertising issues. In addition to working with the Flathead Beacon team, Nichole also works at Jungle Rama drop off daycare a few days out of the week helping parents teach their children the importance of manners, sharing, and other skills needed for proper development."The Flathead Beacon employees are a great asset to the publication and it is nice to work with a team that is respected and knows how to do their job with honesty." She enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Steve and her two great kids, Gage and Stevie. She enjoys living in the laid back lifestyle of Montana. nsouthland@flatheadbeacon.com Meredith Coopman, advisor Meredith received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University where she studied English, Art History and Interior Design. She then lived in San Diego for 6 years and earned her Masters of Architecture from The Newschool of Architecture and Design. In San Diego, Meredith worked for various firms, including HOK S+V+E (now Populous) who designed and built The Padres baseball stadium, Petco Park. Meredith moved to the Valley in 2006 and lives in Lakeside with her husband Cory, baby Eli and 2 labs Hurley & Louise. Meredith enjoys travel of any kind, beating her husband at golf, most sports and has diversified cultural and recreational interests. mcoopman@flatheadbeacon.com Melissa Michaelis, graphic designer Melissa earned her BFA in graphic design and photography from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She began her career as a pre-production artist in Minnesota. She and her husband relocated to the Flathead Valley area in 2006. They welcomed their beautiful baby girl in December 2008. When not occupied with design duties at the Flathead Beacon, she enjoys using her skills designing quilts, spending time with her family, assisting her husband remodeling their home, and with their dogs Smokey Joe a Labrador, and Buckshot a Weimerener. mmichaelis@flatheadbeacon.com Kyle Dennis, webmaster Kyle re-located to the Flathead Valley in 1993 from the east coast. He attended George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. before beginninig a career as an Audio Engineer with Professional Sound Industries in northern virginia. After re-locating to western Montana, he joined the staff of CenturyTel, Inc. as a web developer. Recently, Kyle provided web applications support for USA TODAY before coming to the Flathead Beacon. When not in front of a computer, Kyle enjoys fishing, fishing, fishing, hiking, camping and most everything outdoors. He also enjoys listening to a wide variety of music as well as watching movies. webmaster@flatheadbeacon.com |
