About Us
Meet the Monkeys
Representatives
Luci Tate
Publisher (423) 416-0446
info@theloaferonline.com
Luci’s history with The Loafer begins in 1993 when she was hired on as a part time employee while attending East Tennessee State University, after relocating from her home town in Simi Valley, California. Under the careful watch and training of, then publisher, Mr. Williams, Luci learned the tricks of the trade in the publishing world before purchasing The Loafer from The Williams family to continue on its legacy, and her passion.
She puts in many hours and high energy into the magazine while imbibing copious amounts of coffee. When she’s not creating The Loafer, you can find her running around or answering the question “why” for the eleventy-bajillionth time with her 2 teenage boys. Luci is an active member at Piney Flats United Methodist Church. Give her some duct tape and a hot glue gun and she can make just about anything. As a relentless over-achiever, Luci is also able to bake a five-minute brownie mix in just under three minutes.
“Everyone has a story. But it’s what you do with your story that matters. Remember, your past is the only history of what others knew about you (and what you knew about yourself). But your present determines your future. Keep pushing. Keep changing. Keep growing”.
Don Sprinkle
Editor/Graphics (423) 283-4324
editor@theloaferonline.com
adcopy@theloaferonline.com
Don joins The Loafer team as a caffeine dependent life-form. He enjoys long walks in the woods without the spider web interference, poison ivy, & stray rabid dogs.
He enjoys listening to crunkcore music
and raps caucasionally. Past accomplishments include, sock folding and birdhouse manufacturing. He once sneezed a beanie weenie through his nose and made a horse faint. Don hopes to one day learn how to tie ties and sharpen knives properly. When he’s not working at The Loafer, you can find him relaxing by studying urban exploration, drinking limeade or a diet Dr. Thunder.
“Always give your 100%, unless you’re donating blood”.
Paul Kavanaugh
Account Specialist - Bristol, TN / VA (954) 648-9850
paul@theloaferonline.com
Paul and his wife fell in love with the Tri Cities area when they owned a business in Lee County. They have had a place on what used to be Boone Lake since 2007. He is a seasoned grandfather, and an avid golfer who hopes to be able to enjoy the lake again in this lifetime.
After spending his career in the call center business, he decided to change gears and represent The Loafer in Blountville, Piney Flats, Bluff City and Bristol, TN.
“I really enjoy meeting and talking with the wide variety of people I run into with The Loafer,” he says. If you run into him, be sure to say hello!
Janie Jarvis
Account Specialist - Kingsport & Johnson City TN (423) 268-6675
janie@theloaferonline.com
Carolyn Kestner
Account Specialist - Kingsport & Johnson City TN (423) 530-5092
carolyn@theloaferonline.com
Patti Barr
Account Sales - Throughout Tri-Cities (423) 247-9250
pbarr@theloaferonline.com
From mortgage banking to offshore oil rigs Patti has had a varied career. She learned quickly NOT to wear perfume on offshore rigs as it was distracting to the roughnecks – ooops – did I cause that? After being raised by two diligent DuPont-ers and steeped in safety at an early age, she was ripe for an 11 year career at ARCO Oil and Gas Company in Houston, TX where she worked in offshore drilling, contracting and safety as well as getting to toss endangered Ridley turtle babies out in the ocean while surrounded by hostile shrimpers, angry at having to use “turtle excluder devices”. Seriously, she’s not making this up!
After returning home to Kingsport she had a 9 year career selling industrial safety equipment which taught her the art of selling on the phone. After that ended, she helped take care of her elderly mother and stepfather but still wanted a job so she worked part time, selling ads at the 50-year-old “The Daily News” for 3 years until they all retired and shut down. She brings her database and writing skills to the LOAFER with pride. Sometimes described as eclectic or an enigma, she’s a hard and diligent worker who once she gets a customer, tends to keep them forever! As a hobby, she enjoys rescuing beta fish that have gone unsold and unloved for long periods of time. Just like dogs, they’re SO grateful to be rescued. Again, not making this up…
Jerry & Teresa Hanger
Circulation
Writers/Columnists
Jim Kelly
Kelly's Place jkelly@theloaferonline.com
This is a picture of Jim Kelly, taken "back in the day" at his parents' motel (the namesake for his weekly column) in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Jim, who is Associate Professor of History at Northeast State Community College, began writing "Kelly's Place" in May 1989 and relishes the challenges of learning something new each week as he focuses on the ever-changing and often bizarre world of popular culture.
Brian Bishop
Mountain Movers bbishop@theloaferonline.com
Brian Bishop grew up in this region and loves to see people making positive change. He calls these people "Mountain Movers". This is his chance to introduce you to some folks you may not know and help you know some of them even better.
Jason Worley
Appalachian Wanderers jdworley@theloaferonline.com
Jason was born in southwest Virginia and grew up with a passion for the mountains. He developed a love for travel and exploring the different facets of our unique Appalachian culture. Jason uses his literary writing degree to transport his readers to exciting destinations from national parks to thriving cities or anywhere his wanders may take him.
Mark Marquette
Stargazer stargazermarq@gmail.com
MarQ has been passionate about sharing the beauty of the starry skies since a teenager growing up in Ohio. And for the past 20 years has enjoyed keeping the loyal Loafer readers looking up!
Daniel Worley
Appalachian Wanderers jdworley@theloaferonline.com
Daniel is a current student at the University of Tennessee. When his nose isn't buried in comic books, he enjoys travel, theme parks and hiking. Daniel holds a degree in photography and uses his passion to showcase the wondrous landscapes of our state with others to inspire them to explore everything our region has to offer.
Andy Ross
Batteries Not Included aross@theloaferonline.com
Andy Ross is a humorist with a strong passion for classic movies and music. He collects records and board games, and is running out of room for both.
Jon Lester
MISTER jlester@theloaferonline.com
Jon Lester joins The Loafer as the Social Media Manager and writer of MISTER: a column showcasing topics geared towards men; from style, technology, lifestyle and culture.
He enjoys photography, listening to music, video games and working on a book series he’s in the process of writing.
Jon Lester was born, raised, and currently resides in the Tri-Cities area, but has managed to achieve quite a few accomplishments. He created a Men’s Fashion Blog called ‘Southernmost Gentleman’ which caught the eyes of celebrity fashion designer Ashton Michael (whom has worked with Beyoncé, Cher, Nicki Minaj, etc.) In 2015, the Southernmost Gentleman was named as one of the ‘Best New Men’s Fashion Blogs to Follow, and was also featured in GQ Mexico. In May of 2016, Jon Lester made an appearance in “Ain’t No Man” with Grammy nominated American Folk Rock band The Avett Brothers.
“Failure will continue to not exist as long as you continue to try”.
Ken Silvers
Pop Life ksilvers@theloaferonline.com
Ken is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, a former DJ and current employee of AT&T. He is a huge Batman fan and loves Dolly Parton and Cher.
