Randy Thompson
Owner and Publisher

Randy started the company in 1985. He is responsible for the overall management and growth of the company and has transformed the company from a one-man operation with one Visitors Guide, into a business with fifty-eight full time employees producing 34 guides in the hospitality industry, Hampton Roads Magazine, a local city and lifestyle magazine, as well as more than 200 catalogues, brochures and other four-color graphic products.

His previous experience is primarily in sales, first in consumer goods, then publishing and advertising. His greatest strengths are identifying the needs and opportunities in publishing and graphics and matching the company resources to meet those needs. His personal and company creed is to "seek to understand customers' needs and expectations, then exceed them!"

Randy was born in Roanoke, VA in 1956, but Virginia Beach has been his home since 1981. He earned his M.B.A. (with focus in Marketing) in 1980, a B.B.A., Business Management Degree in 1978 and a B.S. in Education in 1978. All three Degrees were earned at James Madison University. Randy is always intimately involved with all projects, primarily to ensure the quality and timeliness of the Visitors Guide, as well as the thoroughness of the sales coverage and the satisfaction of our customers.

Paul Brannock
Vice President of Sales & Distribution

A native to the Portsmouth area of Hampton Roads, Paul Brannock is Vice President of Sales and Distribution for VistaGraphics, Inc. As a lifetime resident, his knowledge and experience of the region has grown along with the socio-economic expansions seen over the past 30 years.

Before graduating from Old Dominion University in 1993, Paul held the office of president for the American Advertising Federation. This was one of many awards and accomplishments he was recognized for in college. Shortly after graduation, he was employed by VistaGraphics, Inc, a local publishing company which produces Hampton Roads Magazine and its supplements, as well as Visitors Guide magazines in five states.

Paul has acquired 14 years of experience in advertising sales and product development, the past 10 have been as management. The success and growth of VistaGraphics' products, in great part, is a reflection of Paul's dedication and commitment to excellence. When he's not in the field, Paul enjoys all that Hampton Roads has to offer from boating, fishing, and dining out to the vast selection of year-round festivities celebrated in each city. Paul's love for the area and understanding of its vision for growth is a tremendous benefit to his business relationships.

Jay Bellamy
Sales & Distribution Manager

Jay started working with VistaGraphics in 1999 as an Account Executive for the Richmond Visitors Guide. Two years later, he was transferred to the Outer Banks in North Carolina to work on our Outer Banks and Hatteras/Ocracoke Visitors Guide where he was Account Executive for for years. During his time in the Outer Banks the Visitors Guide became a million dollar market. Jay's great efforts have been recognized by his co-workers and management at VistaGraphics, receiving the award for the Account Executive of the Year four times.

Jay's primary responsibilities include the hiring and training of the sales staff. He is also responsible for the graphic product sales.

Jay is a 1997 graduate of the University of Virginia's College at Wise where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration.

Holly Watters
Art Director and Lead Designer for the Norfolk Visitors' Guide

Holly manages the Graphics Arts Department for all Visitor Guides, delegates the workflow in the art department and oversees the creative production of the the Visitors Guide magazines and additional graphic products. Holly worked as the Art Director for C.I. Travel, a graphic artist for Southern Bell and the Assistant Art Director for Sunny Day Magazine. Holly came to VistaGraphics in 1990 with a Communications and Design degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She directs a team of ten artists, traffic manager and photographers, developing and maintaining production schedules, cost and design aesthetics. Holly also works closely with many of our publishing partners, such as the various convention and visitors bureaus, gaining keen insights into the goals and interest of each while establishing open and direct lines of communication. Producing more than 30 magazines yearly, as well as more than 100 catalogues, brochures and other graphics products, Holly takes initiative in leading VistaGraphics through all facets of that production while simultaneously acting as Lead Designer and Art Director on critical projects.

Melissa Morgan
Editor, Hampton Roads Magazine

Melissa Morgan has served as editor of Hampton Roads Magazine, the region's premiere lifestyle and city magazine, for the past two years. In this role, she oversees the editorial and creative content included in each issue and manages a staff of fellow editors and more than 20 freelance writers. During her tenure, Morgan has directed the implementation of new editorial projects and theme issues such as 20 Sensational Singles, Top Desserts, 40 Great Getaways, Hottest Chefs and The A List: 50 Very Important People in Hampton Roads.

Before taking the reigns at Hampton Roads Magazine, Morgan served as Editor-in-Chief of Magazines and Special Sections for Packet Publications in Princeton, NJ, where she edited the supplemental sections inserted into The Princeton Packet and 10 other community newspapers. She also worked as Social/Features Editor for The Cranbury Press and The South Brunswick Post, also a part of Packet Publications.

Morgan has also held positions with the Village Voice, The Syracuse News Times, Travel Agent Magazine and Contemporary Bride of New Jersey. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with a dual degree in Magazine Journalism and English and Textual Studies.

Jessica Carlson
Assistant Editor, Hampton Roads Magazine.
Associate Editor, Visitors Guides

Jessica Carlson started at VistaGraphics nearly two years ago as the part-time Assistant to the Editor of Hampton Roads Magazine. She was quickly promoted to the dual position of Assistant Editor of Hampton Roads Magazine and the Associate Editor for several of the VistaGraphics Visitors Guides.

In this role, she has written loads of editorial content for several publications, including the entire Visitors Guides for North Carolina's High Country and Alexandria, VA. For Hampton Roads Magazine, she has written features, department pieces, advertorials, special ad sections and worked on many larger editorial projects, including 20 Sensational Singles, Top Docs and the Best Of. She also helped spearhead the new style/shopping section, Spree.

Shortly before coming on board at VistaGraphics, Carlson graduated from Connecticut College, where she majored in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. There she started a new campus-wide publication called Wanderlust, which showcased students' experiences while studying and traveling abroad. She also spent a summer as Public Relations Intern at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.

Chris Houser
Advertising Account Executive

Chris graduated from James Madison University in May, 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in both Marketing and Hospitality & Tourism Management. Joining VistaGraphics in September of 2006, Chris has been responsible for the most recent Visitor Guide publications in Hampton, Newport News, the Eastern Shore, and Norfolk in his short time here. Management has already expanded his role by adding Portsmouth to his sales territory.

Born and raised in Warrenton, Virginia, Chris was a captain for his varsity football team for three years and participated in the school newspaper, photography club, and Future Business Leaders of America club. At James Madison University, Chris engaged in various school projects such as a detailed company business plan project, an orchestrated "theme dinner" for 180 guests, a professional website, and an internship at legends Catering helping management launch the initial marketing plan. Chris also has experience working in the restaurant, retail, and concert venue industries. In his spare time, Chris enjoys watching professional sports, fishing, traveling and working out.

Eileen Dalby

Eileen has been able to create an efficient work liaison between sales and production for more than four years. Editorial experience at various publications gives her the ability to control quality for VistaGraphics' publication content and advertising.

Before joining VistaGraphics, Eileen worked as an Advertising Account Executive for The Virginian-Pilot, Hampton Roads' largest newspaper. At Old Dominion University, Eileen held the position of Advertising Director for the student newspaper, The Mace & Crown. Her strong advertising, sales and editorial background brings a wonderful combination of skills to VistaGraphics.

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Eileen moved to Norfolk to attend Old Dominion University on scholarship. Majoring in integrated studies, Eileen graduated with a degree in photography, journalism and anthropology. She has lived in the Hampton Roads area for more than ten years working either full-time or freelance for four publications.

Jim Pile
Director of Photography

Jim is responsible for creating sets and taking photographs for editorial and client ads. He travels to all markets as needed to take necessary shots. Jim works in all digital formats and is trained to use a wide variety of cameras. Jim has the ability to scan his own images and process digital scans from outside sources. He is proficient with Photoshop, enhancing images or creating special effects. Jim is also a creative copy writer with an extensive background in advertising, including teaching at the college of Hampton University.

He worked as a freelance photographer before creating Photo Media, a commercial photography business in 1980 and then becoming a partner in the advertising firm, Fisher-Pile Advertising.

Jim earned his Communications Degree at Gettysburg College and a Theology Degree at Drew University.

Mark Hall
Information Technology Director

Mark is the IT Director for the company. His duties include maintaining a very active network of more than 70 workstations, providing around-the-clock service for all units, maintenance of all printers and related pre-press applications. Mark is also responsible for the enlistment of outside development and technical services, Linux internet development, World Wide Web and Internet transactions.

He manages remote operations with the printing industry, keeping current on all options in the technical industry and inventory. Further offerings include availability for support around the clock for troubleshooting to several satellite markets. He is qualified to maintain and operate al systems and software currently utilized by the company on local and wide area networks. Mark is also responsible for keeping the company technically current and streamlined to meet and exceed graphics industry standards.

Nicole Dough
Web Designer

Nicole started her web design career working with small businesses in 1995. In 2001, she joined Reynolds Web Solutions, working with auto dealers across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. as well as auto manufacturers and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. She helped create a search engine optimization plan to ensure that potential customers saw the sites. She was later promoted to Senior Web Developer, where she continued to support auto dealers for the company. Educated at Tidewater Community College, she was among the first class of Internet Specialist graduates in May of 2001. She joined the VistaGraphics team March of 2007.