Pleased to meet you --Hope you guessed our names

A (hopefully) anticlimactic bit of housekeeping: Our Little Venture has moved beyond the stealth phase, as four of our key leaders are now full-time Pegasi. We've actually been "out of the closet" for about a month, but haven't really been sure how to de-stealthify without making an unduly big deal out of it.

In fact, lacking any other clear reason to name names, we were thinking about trucking along as-is, just not taking any pains to hide our identities. (Mine, for instance, is easily found in a Google search.)

But I was chatting wedia with Dan Gillmor the other day, and he convinced me that it was important that everyone know who we are, even if we're quite sure that no one knows "who we are." Something to do with that whole open-source and transparency thing we've been preaching.

So, here are the folks who are currently full-time engaged in our project. We'll announce other members of our team as appropriate:

Gary Cohen is a newspaper junkie, through and through. He's one of those people for whom reading old piled up newspapers is the first order of business upon returning from a vacation. He's a former corporate securities attorney (still has the bar card -- the security, not so much); a stock market guru; and is the biggest Duke football fan west of the Mississippi. Gary takes pride in his ability to consume obscene amounts of food without gaining weight, and lords same over Mike (below). Gary apologizes for the racy snapshot with this bio and vows to replace it with something more appropriate soon.

 

Kevin McCrea has worked for two members of Congress; in the Dubya Bush administration; as a lobbyist; and as general manager of an ophthalmologist's optometrist's office. We've convinced him that he can do far more damage to the economy by taking up with us. Kevin is already an internet entrepreneur, via his website featuring photos of all 50 State Capitols and all (yes, all) of Texas' county courthouses. Kevin, as pictured, is our resident "ladies' man."
   

 

Mike Orren (blue shirt on right, winning our incorporation fees) has been trying, unsuccessfully, to extricate himself from the media business ever since his first attempt at hard-hitting journalism led to the emergency evacuation of his high school. He was a key leader of both the relaunch and re-relaunch teams at D Magazine in the mid-nineties. Disliking the monotony of steady paychecks, he struck off on his own, briefly attempting to launch a Texas Monthly-esque magazine in his native North Carolina (and inadvertently winning some awards along the way). Finding that he missed Dallas, he moved back and took the reins of Texas Lawyer from 2001 until April of this year. Mike is the author of most of the material on this blog, except for anything with which you disagree. Gary wrote that stuff.

Trivia question: Two of the people pictured at this table have finished in the money at the World Series of Poker. Neither of those people are me. Who are they?

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UPDATE: 11/18/05

Alan Cohen is a native Dallasite and grad of St. Mark's and Tulane. He's a saxaphonist and former band manager who showed up on our doorstep in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Blair Lovern is an experienced journalist, having worked for Baseball America, The Roanoke Times and a host of other print publications.

Cindy Chaffin runs TexasGigs.com, which the Dallas Observer has awarded "best local blog," or some equivalent therof for three consectutive years.

Kate Mackley is "an up-and-comer" on the local music scene, writing, taking pictures, booking shows and generally spending every breath supporting Dallas indie bands.

Donte Gibson is our most senior staffer, having joined us back in May. He does a little bit of everything, but is particularly focused on music and writing. He likes the idea of legal indemnity.

Alex Kanakis is a local photographer specializing in the music scene and is also a recording and editing wiz.

Alexis Reynolds is an A&M grad interested in photojournalism.

Beth Freed is a recent grad of UT Southwestern, and wants to be a copy editor.

Brent Herndon, Carissa McAtee, Lauren Allen and Shannon Tebbe are recent UNT grads, hoping to break into journalism.

Chris Curotolo is a UTD grad who has worked in book publishing.

Chris Jacobs is a professional journalist from Indiana.

Huong Nguyen is a techie with special interest in physics and web design.

Jillian Tydor is a recent OU grad with lots of student publishing experience who also interned at the Oklahoma Gazette.

Jozel Villamayor is a student at UTD.

Kristin Stockton is an A&M grad and wants to review books.

Laura Anne Evans is starting her career as a photojournalist.

Laura Seewoester is a UT photojournalism grad.

Shrie Bradford is a student at UNT majoring in advertising, and into the Denton music scene.

Whitney Devin is a college student who is trying to get experience in journalism."

Leslie Burns is starting a second career in photography and is deep into the local art scene.

Comments

[Serena]

Great to finally see the brains behind the blog. Can't wait for the full launch.

[Kimberly]

Look, it's the Peggers!

[Debbie Galant]

Interesting that it's all boys.
Over here at Barista of Bloomfield Ave. (http://www.baristanet.com), where we've been publishing hyperlocal for almost year, it's all girls.

Maybe our hyperlocal projects can get together and have babies.

[Mike Orren]

Hey Debbie:

We're big fans of y'alls -- thanks for stopping by!

Hopefully not all boys for long-- only listing full-timers so far, and there are women in the extended circle of folks working on this.

Frankly, I think all of the hyperlocals should get together and see what we can genetically engineer...

[Homero Hinojosa]

Greetings from Monterrey, Mexico... Here in Latin America we are following with interest projects like yours. In our countries Democracy is in early stages yet, but expanding every day. And I believe that any project that involves community participation via the Press represents a big push for Democracy from the grassroots.

Buena Suerte Amigos!!

Homero

[houston joost]

Well, guys I guess it is too late to tell you not to quit your day jobs. Sincerely Mike, great team you've put together.

-Houston

[soils]

Will Dr.Yost be joining your team from your previous blog?

[soils]

Will Dr. Yost be joining you from your previous blog

[soils]

Where is Dr. Yost??

[soils]

Where is Dr. Yost??

[Mike Orren]

Would that we had the wisdom of the good Dr. "Yost" to guide us. Alas, he is exploring the Western corridor, my double-clicking Wyomian friend. But someday, when we are ready, HE shall return.