BABM Magazine Writers

Gretchen Cain

Gretchen Cain has been a professional writer in Pinellas County for more than 20 years. She is the Business Assistance Specialist for the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce in Seminole, FL, working with businesses on planning, marketing and financing. She has been a Chamber employee since 1998. Prior to that, Gretchen was the Executive Editor for Tampa Bay Newspapers Inc. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Communications, and participates in ongoing business training through Pinellas County Economic Development. Gretchen was thrilled to be part of the team that put together the inaugural issue of BABM, and wrote the cover story about "Dagwood, the Entrepreneur," featuring the Dagwood Sandwich Shoppe in Palm Harbor. She is a strong proponent of educating entrepreneurs by providing them with tools through print media, such as BABM.

Chary Southmayd

In addition to freelance writing, Chary Southmayd is the editor of the Bellaire Bee and Beach Bee newspapers, part of the Tampa Bay Newspapers group, which also publishes the Seminole Beacon, Beach Beacon, Largo Leader, Clearwater Citizen and Pinellas Park Beacon.

Born and raised in Washington D.C., Chary graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in British and American Literature. Prior to launching her career as a writer and editor, Chary worked for many years in broadcasting, as a news anchor and morning show co-host for several radio stations, including Q105 in Tampa during its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Single, Chary is devoted to animal welfare organizations, including the SPCA Tampa Bay, where she previously served on the board of directors. She shares her home with two adorable dogs and some very independent cats.
Chary and two business partners recently launched a new endeavor, Off the Beaten Path, a beach bicycle rental business in Indian Rocks Beach.

Marie Stempinski

Marie Stempinski has been a communications professional for more than forty years. A graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Broadcasting and an M.A. in Journalism and Communication, Marie started her career as the first woman reporter on ABC affiliate WFTV, Ch. 9 in Orlando. Her experience includes college teaching (Asst. Professor of Radio/TV at St. Petersburg College), college administration (Assistant, PR Director and Assistant TV Director at Brevard Community College in Cocoa), and corporate communications (Business Communications specialist at General Electric).

Marie founded Strategic Communication in 1985. It is a full service public relations and marketing company and serves large corporate and small business clients. She also writes for Tampa Bay Newspapers, GRAND magazine and Bay Area Business Magazine. She has many hobbies but traveling is her passion!

Jay Winchester

Over the course of his thirteen years as a writer, Jay M. Winchester has written just about everything a writer can write. Published over 350 times, Jay works with companies of all sizes, including members of the Fortune 500. From web content to podcast creation to scriptwriting to brochure copy to feature articles, his experience runs the gamut of professional assignments.

Through it all, he remains thankful for the opportunity to put his talents to use in such a wide array of assignments. “I’m grateful for the opportunities God brings my way,” he says. “My clients, and my relationships with them, are a continual source of blessing to me. My prayer is that my work finds favor with them, and in that, pleases my Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Carol Cortright

After 20 years of handling PR and special events for public libraries, a 21-acre living history museum, and other nonprofit organizations, Carol Cortright took her favorite parts of these jobs (wordsmithing, generating and implementing creative ideas, working with the media) and started her own freelance writing and PR/event consulting business last summer. She has a B.A. in American Studies from Eckerd College.

Carol’s articles have appeared in a variety of regional publications, including Tampa Bay’s Best and Wedding and Party Planner magazines, and the Largo Leader and Tampa Bay Woman newspapers. In addition, she has orchestrated events of all sizes, from receptions and galas to educational and literary programs to daylong outdoor festivals attracting thousands.

A Florida native with artistic flair, Carol enjoys creating mixed media paintings and traveling. She lives in Pinellas County with her husband and Sophie the Wonder Dog.

David Liller

David A. Liller is a native of Ridgeley, W V. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from West Virginia University and a Master's Degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Liller also holds a Graduate Certificate in Teaching Composition from USF.

He began his professional career as a radio journalist in Lakeland, FL. He went on to become the managing editor of a series of community newspapers based in Pasco County, FL. He later joined the University of South Florida as a Communication Specialist and Science Writer in the Office of Media Relations.

Since 1991 he has worked as a freelance writer, editor and photographer for a variety of local, statewide, and regional publications. Liller also teaches college courses in English and business communication, and operates the corporate training business Liller Publications Inc. Liller can be reached by email at dliller@lillerpublications.com.

Kathy Ferguson

Kathy Ferguson is an innovative, enthusiastic professional who has 30 years’ experience and a proven track record of excellence in the internal organizational communication, writing, and editing fields. She worked for almost 20 years at General Electric and Lockheed Martin. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, company newsletters, video productions, websites, brochures, and presentations. Her client list includes large and small organizations from governments to community newspapers. She has designed many strategic communication plans based upon business mission, market and objectives. Kathy has developed nationally recognized safety and employee involvement programs. This proven track record includes achieving thirty-seven separate recognition awards for outstanding performance at the local and national level. Kathy has operated a freelance writing and communications consulting business since 1997.

Donna Murray

Donna Murray is a freelance writer living in St. Petersburg. In addition to her articles in Bay Area Business Magazine, she is also a regular contributor to Family Chronicle Magazine, which circulates both in Canada and the United States.

Murray was a reporter and feature writer for the former Tampa Times, a weekly columnist for the St. Petersburg Times, and an associate publisher and opinion columnist for La Gaceta Newspaper. She has been published in a variety of other newspapers and magazines including The Tampa Tribune and the Tico Times, a newspaper in San Jose, Costa Rica.

For the last 23 years, she has served as the Director of Marketing & Creative Services for Hillsborough Community College, but she will be leaving that position in January to focus on freelance creative writing and copywriting.