About

About Rapid Growth

Jeff Hill, Local Publisher
jeff@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Jeff Hill has been the Publisher for Rapid Growth Media since 2008. Prior to that, he was a full-time Dad for two years and worked in new homes and development for eight years. Although not a journalist by trade, he has been writing professionally and recreationally for much of his adult career, and holds a degree in Communications and Economics from Western Michigan University. In his spare time, Jeff blogs, helps run two online discussion boards, and tears up the roads as a newly christened cyclist, clocking nearly 2000 miles this past year. He has also been known to participate in competitive "running while beer drinking" events, though details on that are sketchy.

J. Bennett Rylah, Managing Editor
juliet@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Juliet is a writer, musician and bartender.

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
RapidGSync@gmail.com

Tommy Allen is founding member of RapidGrowthMedia.com and later creator of the "no topic or event off limit" G-Sync column. While may call Grand Rapids his home base, but his life has received international exposure from galleries to the projects he has accepted in a career that continues to defy definition. Allen has exhibited as an artist, produced films and even finds time to create exciting special events for profit and not-for-profit agencies. His photo-based artworks often depict highly stylized images addressing issues of identity that challenging social mores while examine the sameness within a diverse "humanscape."

Allen is also the National Marketing and Sales Director for the entertainment company Levitation, where he has been responsible for the staging of national and regional events like Joffery Ballet's first ever outdoor tour, NFL's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and recently, the Oprah Winfrey street party on Chicago's Michigan Avenue.

While his civic projects include committees like Green Grand Rapids and arts leadership projects at UICA; West Michigan Center for Arts and Technologies (WMCAT) Capital Campaign; West Michigan Environment Action Council boar member; Fulton Street Farmers Market (expansion fundraising committee); and LaughFest's talent search committee. He also served on the Creston Neighborhood Association board for 6 years and prior many other Grand Rapids neighborhood revitalization projects.

In those rare instances when Allen is not creating art, preparing an editorial, or fighting for community enhancements, he can be found with his partner working in the garden, enjoying a movie on the couch or simply playing with their rescued border collie.

Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com

One might say that writing about Grand Rapids' urban development is a natural extension of Deborah's lifestyle. Even before her first Rapid Growth feature story in 2006, she and her husband Tom spent many a relaxing hour cruising the city's streets, sipping coffee from whichever local coffeehouse topped their favorites list that week, just to see what new developments were springing up.

A West Michigan native and a "writer all my life," Deborah has covered topics that range from the joys of truck camper camping to arts- and cuisine-centric travel destinations. And, because she can't seem to stop herself, she also writes for pleasure, penning personal essay, humorous fiction and award-winning poetry.

An accomplished musician and singer, she received her first guitar at age 12 and has sung and played with numerous bands. As a child and teen, she competed in countless talent and variety shows and now is half of a "spousal unit" music duo with husband Tom, who sings and thumps bass.

She punctuates life in Grand Rapids with frequent trips to visit grandchildren in Winston-Salem, NC -- a city where she, her family and her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Louie and Opie (Opie-Wan Kanopi), take meandering drives to see what's developing. Deborah is in a mad love affair with Grand Rapids, or, as she calls it, "my city," and the sight of its ever-changing skyline still gives her a thrill.

John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor
innovationsandjobs@rapidgrowthmedia.com

John started writing for Rapid Growth in September 2010. He has a bit of an eclectic background; corporate sales, international business, entrepreneur, specialty retailer, educator, blogger, writer, and competitive barbecuer. John is active in several community organizations including having a bi-weekly, live radio show on 88.1 WYCE (Uncle John), board member of aimWest, co-organizer and evangelist for Startup Weekend West Michigan and is very involved in several entrepreneurial initiatives at GRCC.

He fashions himself a renaissance man and philosopher with interests ranging from barbecue and grilling to craft beer. He often ponders fundamental problems, such as gas vs. charcoal, the use of marinades and dry rubs and whether to serve ribs with sauce or leave them dry.

He will tell you that his biggest source of pride is his family; wife Leanne, son Jack and daughters Rose and Nora (although taking 1st place in brisket at the Silver Lake Barbecue Competition is close).

John invites you to connect with him through social media anytime.

@JohnRumery -or- @grilladelic

www.facebook.com/john.rumery
www.linkedin.com/in/johnrumery

Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor

dogood@issuemediagroup.com

Brian Kelly, Manager of Photography/Videography
brian@briankellyphoto.net

Brian Kelly was born to eat ice cream and grill outdoors, but he also finds time to photograph people, places and architecture for a wide variety of advertising, corporate and editorial clients. Brian has been Rapid Growths only managing photographer since it's inception; a fact of which he is very proud. Brian has been making short films and corporate videos since 2006. His documentary film "Karma Generator" screened at the prestigious Waterfront Film Festival in 2008. He currently employs HDDSLR technology and is very adept at using hybrid cameras.

Please send all press releases and article submissions to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com. For sponsorship and partnership opportunities, please contact jeff@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Facebook fanpage

Model D is published by Detroit-based Issue Media Group.

Publishers: Brian J. Boyle and Paul Schutt

Operations and Media Contact: Deepa Ramsinghani

Web Site and E-Newsletter Technology: Matt Lehman and Mark Walz, Fluent Consulting

Web Site and E-Newsletter Design: Patrick Blasio, pblasio&people, inc.

For Job Listed and Jobs Landed: Dana Miles, dana@issuemediagroup.com

Also check out Issue Media Group's other fine publications:

Metromode in S.E. Michigan
Pop City in Pittsburgh
Rapid Growth in Grand Rapids
Capital Gains in Lansing
SoapBox in Cincinnati
Concentrate in Ann Arbor
Prosper in Oakland County, MI
Bmore in Baltimore, MD
Keystone Edge in Pennsylvania
HiVelocity in Ohio