THE NEWCOMERS GUIDE - AUGUSTA

Stuart Rayburn

Owner & Contributor

Stuart Rayburn cultivated an early appreciation of southern culture, history, food, art and architecture growing up in Savannah, Georgia. A graduate of Augusta University, he has been in Augusta since 1988. Stuart lives in West Augusta and owns commercial property in historic downtown Augusta where he produces the Downtown Walking Map for Augusta and Downtown Athens. Stuart is a partner in TheNewcomersGuide.com and The Little Guide Augusta, and he owns a small billboard company. His passions are raising his two boys Will and John Banks, preserving and developing our historic downtown and helping small businesses grow through branding and customer acquisition. If you know of anyone who needs help getting their message out to Augusta, he’s the best!

Brian Allen

Product Manager & Contributor

Brian Allen is native Augustan with a long abiding love affair with his hometown. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, his love for local was born of his interactions with the arts community through music. He is a graduate of The John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Augusta University, and a longstanding advocate for the local music community. When not onstage or in the trenches supporting local business, you’ll find him at home with his loving wife, Tracy, his two sons, Aidan and Isaac, Louie the dog, and Cricket the kitty cat.

Patrick O’Connor

Contributor

Patrick O’Connor grew up in the Augusta area and is a proud graduate of Augusta University. When he isn’t out networking or behind a computer, you can find him hosting events, DJing weddings and exploring our city with his equally talented wife, Kelly.

Gabby Boardman Benton

Contributor

Gabby Boardman Benton is a lifelong Augustan who founded Made Fore a Pro, a Masters Housing Rental Business that has experienced much success. Her love for Augusta has led to a strong involvement in the community, including serving as a board member of the Augusta Training Shop, the Morris Museum of Art’s Gala board, and the Wilson Family Y. Gabby’s greatest joys are her two children.

Ed Peden

Contributor

Ed Peden is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina he graduated from Abilene Christian University in Texas with a degree in wildlife biology. He moved to Augusta in 1998 to work with Savannah River Site and Fort Gordon as a wildlife biologist.

Dr. Leeann Caldwell

Contributor

Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell is a Professor of History, the Director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History, and University Historian-in-Residence at Augusta University. She is on the editorial board of the Georgia Historical Quarterly. She is currently the co-editor of the Journal of the Georgia Association of Historians. In 2008 she received the Governor’s Award in the Humanities.

Matt Porter

Contributor

Matt Porter is a museum educator, music writer, DJ and arts advocate from Oshawa, Ontario. He’s been calling Augusta home for the last seven years and is constantly inspired by the creative people he shares this city with.

Steven Uhles

Contributor

Steven Uhles has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, copywriter, creative director, marketing specialist and critic. Steven has called Augusta home since 1980. He is a graduate of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Western Washington University and his local arts column – Pop Rocks – has run in the Augusta Chronicle for more than 15 years. He lives in Columbia County with his wife and two children.

Neil Gordon

Contributor

Neil Gordon is publisher of the Buzz on Biz, a brand dedicated to sharing the growth of business in the CSRA. To learn more, visit buzzon.biz

Eric Parker

Contributor

Eric Parker is one of the leading Innovation Architects in the nation, and co-founder and Chairman of Hack Augusta/theClubhou.se, a non-profit community innovation center responsible for helping thousands of people learn skills, and start new businesses. Eric has helped develop over $100m in workplace strategy, construction, and technology projects.

Tripp Bowden

Contributor

Tripp Bowden is a former Augusta National Caddy, the first full time white caddy in the history of the elite private club. Tripp is also a former collegiate golfer and alum of Augusta University and a former copy writer, first with McCann Erickson New York and later with his own company, Creative Wizards. The author of The New York Times praised Freddie & Me: Life Lessons from Freddie, Augusta National’s Legendary Caddy Master, Tripp is a frequent speaker at prominent golf clubs across America and beyond. He lives with his wife Fletch and children Arrie B. and Holly Mac in Augusta, Georgia.

Jason Alamo

Contributor

Jason Alamo...traveler, music lover, foodie, outdoor enthusiast. His life travels have seen him in every state in the Union with the most time spent in Indiana, Texas, Alaska and, most recently Georgia. When not working you can find him at a local camp spot, floating in his kayak, catching monster bass. At home he is either in the kitchen conjuring up some tasty vittles, in the studio producing music or talking to himself while editing clips for BASSHOLES Kayak Fishing. You can follow Alamo’s kayak fishing and camping adventures via his blog for The Newcomers Guide at www.newcomersguide.com or on youtube at bassholes kayak fishing.

Rob Pavey

Contributor

Rob Pavey is the outdoors columnist for The Augusta Chronicle. Before his semi-retirement in 2013, he was a full-time writer and reporter for 31 years, covering energy, nuclear issues and the environment. He is an avid angler and hunter, a graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Journalism and author of two books on antique fishing tackle. He lives in Evans.

Jay Jacobs

Contributor

Jay Jacobs is a prolific freelance artist and fisherman in Augusta, Georgia who grew up fishing and exploring the shoals and rapids of the Savannah River.

Randy DuTeau

Contributor

Sallie Shuford

Contributor

Sallie Shuford, born and raised in Augusta’s own Summerville, knows what classic southern hospitality means. She loves meeting and talking to everyone she encounters. West has built close bonds with local leaders, and through her experience in local arts and tourism, has become an expert on all things Augusta. She is most definitely someone people can trust, and her warm, open manner creates a stable and comforting environment for clients.

Megan Moye

Contributor

Megan Moye is the Director of Marketing & Digital Media for Meybohm Realtors. Megan grew up and has lived in the Augusta area for practically her whole life! In her free time, you can find Megan enjoying running and biking on the canal, enjoying concerts and festivals with her family, and dining at local establishments!

Rick Brown and McKenzie Ainsworth

Contributor

Rick is a renovator who has been involved in real estate transactions for about twenty years. Although he specializes in older buildings, he has worked with investors and start-up businesses to secure properties of all sorts. If your interests run toward distinctive architecture, Rick might be an option. Rick’s four children and granddaughter take up most of his free time. When they are otherwise occupied, he reads and writes, and takes on one-off tasks to benefit the community.