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.  To become an Exclusive Retailer click here.

The Virginia Living Family

John-Lawrence Smith

PUBLISHER

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

804.343.7539 Email

Madeline Mayhood

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Sailing on the Ware River.

804.622.2610 Email

Ryan Rich

ART DIRECTOR

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

804.622.2606 Email

MATTHEW MARJENHOFF

SALES MANAGER

Favorite place to be in Virginia: The Omni Homestead in Bath County.

804.622.2602 Email

ANGELA SHAPIRO

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Anywhere on a beach in Virginia.

804.622.2607 Email

HOPE CARTWRIGHT

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Apple picking in Crozet in the fall.

804.343.0778 Email

CECILIA FELLINGER

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Seeing the sunrise over Virginia country fields.

804.343.0779 Email

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 Email

KRISTIN LOHR

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Onancock, preferably by boat.

804.622.2604 Email

CLAIRE HARRELSON

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Favorite place to be in Virginia: At one of the many street festivals we have in Richmond, VA

804.622.2612 Email

GABRIELA GONÇALVES

DIGITAL EDITOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: Milkshakes and window shopping in Carytown!

804.622.2608 Email

RHETT

ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: IN the Rappahannock River!

804.343.7539 Email

SHELBY

ASSISTANT ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR

Favorite place to be in Virginia: In the backyard chewing on most anything.

804.343.7539 Email