Executive Editor Candi Hannigan, a Cherokee County resident since 1987, has more than 30 years journalism experience as a page designer, copy editor and writer. After earning a journalism degree from the University of South Carolina, she worked at the St. Petersburg Times and Evening Independent, and The Charlotte Observer before moving to Atlanta to join the Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff. Candi spent more than a dozen years as a freelance writer covering the community of faith for the AJC, and started a monthly publication called The Cherokee Vine before joining the Aroundabout Local Media staff in 2012. In addition to her professional background, Candi volunteers in many capacities which led to her co-founding Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee in 2006. She also serves on the board of Cherokee FOCUS. Candi and husband Glenn, a local Methodist pastor, have three children.
Publications Director Michelle McCulloch has worked for Aroundabout Local Media since 2004. She has a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Rochester Institute of Technology. Michelle enjoys working with local business owners to create effective ads that will help them gain new customers. She is married and a mother of two sons and two adorable Dachshunds. She attends St. Michael the Archangel Church, enjoys working out at a local gym, and boating and camping at Lake Allatoona.
Page Designer Laura Latchford grew up in Clements, Maryland and studied design at the College of Southern Maryland. She was a graphic designer for 11 years before joining the staff at Aroundabout Local Media. Laura lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband James and their three children, Kira, Trey and Raelynn.
Managing Editor Donna Harris is a Cobb County native who grew up in Smyrna but settled in Kennesaw in 2001 after living two years in Allen, Texas, and Plymouth, Massachusetts. She graduated from Campbell High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Georgia State University. Donna has worked in community journalism for more than 25 years and joined Aroundabout Local Media after writing for three local daily newspapers and two lifestyle magazines. A member of Eastwood Baptist Church in Marietta, Donna has a son and daughter-in-law, Colton and Casey, and a granddaughter, Dani Linley. In her spare time, she loves to travel and is an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Client Relations Manager Michelle Smith has been involved in publications and diverse support roles since 1991. Natives to Texas, Michelle, her husband Clint, and their three boys have been Georgia transplants since 2002. Her crowning achievement has been homeschooling their boys through graduation. They take joy in attending First Baptist Church of Woodstock. In her down time, Michelle enjoys camping and hiking in the mountains, collecting and reading century-old books, and savoring those special moments when her boys come home.
Networking Specialist Amanda Bowen is co-founder of Kennesaw Business Club, which meets Wednesdays at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Amanda has spent most of her life in Georgia and graduated from Cherokee High School. She went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communication at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, with a broadcast journalism focus and a minor in marketing. A creative at heart, she has enjoyed a career in marketing since 2016 and is delighted to be a part of the ALM team. An enthusiast of the paranormal and unexplained, she is also the co-host of SHOOK Paranormal Podcast and loves going on historical ghost tours when traveling to allegedly haunted locations, especially in Savannah. She lives in Kennesaw with her husband, Connally, their cats, Bender and Fry, and their puppy, Bowie, all of whom were adopted from Mostly Mutts in Kennesaw. When you see her around and about at networking events around town, make sure to say hello!
Controller Denise Griffin has a background in public and private accounting that allows her to bring sound financial principles to our pricing structure to ensure our services are as affordable as possible while maintaining the financial integrity of our company. In her free time, Denise enjoys time spent with family and boating on Lake Allatoona, reading, and listening to country music.
Digital Marketing Strategist Kat Holt has been in the digital marketing industry for seven years. Before joining ALM, she worked closely with several different independently owned roller rinks and bowling alleys across the United States. Working with small businesses to help them grow their online following is her passion. She has lived in Georgia her whole life and is currently residing in Woodstock with her husband and two children, Mariah and RJ. When she isn’t working on social media platforms, you can find her outside soaking up the sunshine or on the lake enjoying quality time with her family and friends.
Content Editor Mike Anthony has been a writer and editor since 2005. A native of Pennsylvania, Mike moved to the Kennesaw area in 1999 before attending college at Georgia Southern University and working in the school’s athletic marketing department. Following his college career, he joined the sports staff of the Statesboro Herald before moving to Acworth in 2020. Mike is a lifetime lover of nearly every sport, especially baseball, football and golf. He is happily married to his wife, Kelly, and enjoys pool and playground days with his daughters, Charlotte and Savannah. In his downtime, Mike enjoys listening to comedy and documentary podcasts and spends many hours tending to his newly-found lifelong goal of being awarded “Best Lawn” in his neighborhood.
Graphic Designer, Rachael Tomlinson graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Studio Art focusing on Graphic Design in 2014 from Piedmont College. Growing up in Georgia, Rachael has resided in a couple of metro Atlanta areas and currently resides in Cumming, Georgia.
Owners of Aroundabout Local Media since 2009, Karen and Jon Flaig, have lived in Towne Lake for over 20 years and raised their four sons – Chase, Kyle, Jonathan and Colby – here. Jon, a Florida native and University of Florida graduate, is a serial entrepreneur, currently operating in the print publishing, digital marketing and residential real estate development industries. Karen, born and raised in Cobb County, graduated from Jacksonville State University. She left the corporate world in 1999 to raise her boys and started Everyday Angels. She spends her time identifying community needs, volunteering, serving on the Cherokee FOCUS board, and watching her sons play ball. You will find them often at grocery stores, church and school events.