About Us

Virginia Living celebrates all things Virginia—from its people and places, to its deep history and traditions. The highest quality, most widely read magazine in the state, Virginia Living’s combination of smart, engaging stories and stunning photography makes it a must-read for anyone interested in the Commonwealth.

Publisher John-Lawrence Smith conceived of Virginia Living while relaxing with his dog Cutty on the James River one beautiful June day in 2002, and the premiere issue was published on October 31, 2002. The glossy, upscale lifestyle magazine is now the top media reference in Virginia, with a readership of over 600,000.

Cape Fear Publishing is the parent company of Virginia Living, and is named for a favorite rest and relaxation spot of our owner, John-Lawrence Smith, who founded the publishing house in 1988, shortly after he graduated from the University of North Carolina.

The lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina is where much of the thinking and planning for the company originally took place. John-Lawrence was looking for a good, strong, striking Southern name for his company, and Cape Fear Publishing Company seemed like the perfect choice.

Virginia Living publishes six bimonthly issues per year, plus the bonus Best of Virginia issue in May. We add bonus departments and super sections to every issue. Look for Weddings in Jan/Feb, State of Education in March/April, WaterLife in July/Aug, both Drink and Top Hospitals in Sept/Oct, and Made in Virginia in Nov/Dec. Health+Wellness and House+Garden each appear three times annually, and we cover Retirement Living twice each year.

Virginia Living is available via subscription, at Barnes and Noble, and other independent newsstands—click here for locations.

The Virginia Living Family

John-Lawrence Smith

PUBLISHER
Favorite place to be in Virginia: On the Rappahannock River.
804.343.7539

Madeline Mayhood

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Sailing on the Ware River.
804.622.2610

Ryan Rich

ART DIRECTOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: On the rocks at the James River in Richmond.
804.622.2606

Matthew Marjenhoff

SALES MANAGER
Favorite place to be in Virginia: The Swift Creek Reservoir on a kayak.
804.622.2602

Warren Rhodes

MEDIA CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Hiking the Blue Ridge mtns. and climbing at Grayson Highlands State Park.
804.622.2603

Clay Thomas

MEDIA CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Melrose Caverns where I married my wife.
804.622.2609

Kenny Kane

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Long bike rides on the Virginia Capital Trail.
804.622.2604

Meredith Lindemon

MANAGING EDITOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: At a winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
804.343.0778

Cecilia Fellinger

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Seeing the sunrise over Virginia country fields.
804.343.0779

Angela Shapiro

CIRCULATION MANAGER
Favorite place to be in Virginia: Anywhere on Virginia Beach.
804.343.7539

Rosa Garcia

ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Favorite place to be in Virginia: The Shenandoah Valley. I love the mountains, hiking, and all the natural beauty around it.
804.622.2607

Rhett

ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: IN the Rappahannock River!
804.343.7539

Shelby

ASSISTANT ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR
Favorite place to be in Virginia: In the backyard chewing on most anything.
804.343.7539

 

John-Lawrence Smith
Publisher
(804) 343-7539
JLSmith@CapeFear.com

Madeline Mayhood
Editor In Chief
(804) 622-2610
MadelineMayhood@CapeFear.com

Ryan Rich
Art Director
(804) 622-2606
RyanRich@CapeFear.com

Meredith Lindemon
Managing Editor
(804) 343-0778
MeredithLindemon@CapeFear.com

Cecilia Fellinger
Assistant Art Director
(804) 343-0779
CeciliaFellinger@CapeFear.com

Angela Shapiro
Circulation Manager
(804) 622-2612
AngelaShapiro@CapeFear.com

Kenny Kane
Creative Services Director
(804) 622-2604
KennyKane@CapeFear.com

Rosa Garcia
Accounting Manager
(804) 622-2607
RosaGarcia@CapeFear.com

Send story ideas, information and press releases to: editors@capefear.com



 

Matthew Marjenhoff
Sales Manager, Eastern Virginia
(804) 622-2602
MatthewMarjenhoff@
CapeFear.com

Warren Rhodes
Northern Virginia
(804) 622-2603
WarrenRhodes@CapeFear.com

Clay Thomas
Southwestern Virginia
(804) 622-2609
ClayThomas@CapeFear.com

109 E. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23219