Kris Schultz is the publisher of Cherokee Media Group’s local and regional publications, including Cary Magazine, Wake Living, Main & Broad, and LookWest. Since joining the company in 2008, he has built his career around connecting people, supporting local businesses, and sharing the stories that bring communities together. He leads a team dedicated to helping readers discover more of where they live and helping businesses reach the people who matter to them. Beyond his work with local publications, Kris serves as a territory manager for People Inc., representing titles such as Southern Living and Coastal Living.
Erin McKnight was named editor of Cary Magazine and Wake Living in 2024. She is a writer, editor, book reviewer, writing teacher, book coach, and internationally award-winning literary book publisher. Erin holds a BA in English and journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing, with a specialization in fiction. During her time as a professional ghostwriter, she was fortunate to work with notable figures in industries ranging from business to politics to health care to the entertainment industry and beyond; her own fiction and creative nonfiction has been widely published and nominated for several awards and is currently held by the Scottish Mining Museum. Erin has written for newspapers and media outlets, and for businesses ranging from budding startups to Fortune-10 companies. She has also had the pleasure of teaching students of all ages and is a New York Times–Bestselling editor. In addition, her nonfiction scriptwriting has garnered millions of views. Erin is, unsurprisingly, a lover of words and stories — and the enveloping beauty of North Raleigh.
Emily Uhland joined Cherokee Media Group in 2005. Emily has held several roles within the company including lead graphic designer, lifestyle editor, contributing writer, and senior editor. Emily loves the opportunity to meet and share the stories of passionate individuals and organizations working to enrich the communities of Wake County. Emily contributes to Cherokee Media Group’s family of local lifestyle publications: Wake Living, Cary Magazine, and Main & Broad.
Paige Gunter, senior account executive, brings extensive experience in media, business development, and relationship-driven sales to Cherokee Media Group. Before joining the team, she served as an account executive for Midtown Magazine and helped launch 5 West magazine. Her background also includes pharmaceutical business development on the West Coast and sales training. Paige enjoys connecting local businesses with creative opportunities that help them grow and become more visible in the communities they serve. She spends her free time watching her son play lacrosse, serving as a Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce ambassador, practicing yoga, and traveling to dream destinations.
Jonathan Fredin became the chief photographer at Cherokee Media Group in 2008, following an award-winning career as a newspaper reporter and photojournalist in Virginia and Florida, and as a freelance photographer for The New York Times and The Associated Press. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in print media from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. When not shooting for Cary Magazine, Main & Broad, Wake Living, and parent company S&A Cherokee, Jonathan enjoys photographing wildlife, reading fiction, and riding his road bike.
Jonathan can be reached at jfredin@cherokeemediagroup.com
Atiya Batts joined Cherokee Media Group in 2022 as a graphic designer. She is the lead graphic designer for Cary Magazine and Wake Living. Atiya enjoys bringing her creative visions to life, whether that’s through designing layouts that highlight our vibrant local community or drawing food illustrations in her free time.
Arlem America Mora joined Cherokee Media Group in May 2022 as Social Media Manager, Cary Magazine, Main & Broad, and Wake Living. She spent half a decade working in broadcasting in Nicaragua as a TV talk show host and spokesperson and the subsequent half behind the camera as a freelance videographer, photographer, and graphic designer. She is relentless in her pursuit of crafting images and videos that tell a story. Arlem recently moved to Cary with her husband, Roberto, and her pooch, Rocco. She enjoys running, boxing, and hiking when she is not posting and checking audience engagement on our social media platforms.
Tara Shiver first joined Cherokee Media Group in 2007 as a copy editor after graduating from NC State University. She later served as co-editor and web editor for Cary Magazine. After a few years moving around the East Coast, Tara returned to Cherokee Media Group in 2022 as copy and web editor. She produces weekly e-newsletters for Cary Magazine, Wake Living, Main & Broad, and What’s Up, Wake. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband and menagerie of cats.
Melissa Wistehuff is the producer and host of What’s Up, Wake, where she loves connecting listeners with the people, places, and stories that make Wake County home. A Raleigh native, she shares life with her husband, Jason, their three children, and a growing menagerie of rescue cats, goats, and Gari the Goose. When she’s not behind the microphone, you’ll likely find her at the coast, listening to audiobooks and podcasts while puttering in the garden, or sharing a good meal and a glass of wine with friends at one of the Triangle’s amazing restaurants.
Lisa White joined Cherokee Media Group in 2010 and currently serves as Senior Manager of Events, while also overseeing circulation and distribution for all media properties. Originally from Scotland, she became a US citizen in 1996 and proudly calls North Carolina home. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, attending live music events, cooking, and traveling.
Dylan Gilroy has been the web developer for Cary Magazine and its sister publications since 2013. He was once nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy, a fact that he slips into every conversation with everyone that he meets. Dylan graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in Journalism and Graphic Design. He has certificates from NC State University for programming and mathematics.
In his spare time Dylan enjoys playing music, drawing, and travelling.
Rachel Sheffield has been a web designer and developer for Cary Magazine and its sister publications since 2015. She has a BA in Arts Application – Visual Arts Concentration from NC State University and an AAS in Web Technologies from Wake Tech Community College. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, drawing, and spoiling her guinea pigs (and will talk about them for hours if you let her).
David McCreary writes about restaurants the way most people eat at them — with enthusiasm, curiosity, and zero pretension. As a longtime freelance contributor, he’s built a reputation for spotlighting the local eateries worth knowing about. When he steps away from his notebook, you’ll likely find him smashing a ping-pong ball, sipping an iced coffee, or wading into his latest podcast obsession. He and his wife, Jenny — his partner of more than 30 years — are the proud parents of two adult children, Noah and Joy, and happily call Fuquay-Varina home.
L.A. Jackson is regular contributor to Cherokee Media Group. He is also a regular garden columnist for the News & Observer and Carolina Country magazine, and the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. He lives in Apex.
