Brian Rushing
PUBLISHER
brian@houmaweekly.com

After seeing city magazines around the country
and recognizing just how cool they were, my wife
Bonnie and I looked up and said, “Hey, we could do one of those here.” So we did. We made some
mistakes along the way, but hopefully we’ve added just a little something extra to our community. We consider PoV as one of our ways to give back to the community that made us what we are.

Favorite quote:
“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”

Hidden talents:
What good are talents if you hide them.

My tombstone will read:
He lived, every day.

Bonnie Rushing
EDITOR
editor@povhouma.com

Favorite quote:
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hidden talents:
I can recognize any car from a distance at night just by looking at the headlights.

My tombstone will read:
She lived, she laughed and she loved, a lot!

Terry Trahan Jr.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
terry@povhouma.com

In the beginning, PoV existed. I didn’t. A year and a half later, the powers that be assigned me to cover my first freelance writing job for what has become the Houma-Thibodaux area’s premier lifestyle magazine. About a year later, I sat in a big-boy chair as an editorial intern. Those same powers were so impressed that they welcomed me back for round two the following summer. In June, I became a diploma-totin’ journalism fiend and returned to the same chair I left a year ago, with an upgrade in rank. Actually, it’s not the same chair, but the seat was still warm.

When I’m not diving into the Linguistic Sea, I put my listening skills to good use by playing music. (I don’t actually play; I just push play.) You can also find me sippin’ on a grande, 2 percent, no whip white mocha Frappuccino, or indulging my 14 orange goldfish with fish pellets. (They think it’s a delicacy.)

Favorite quote:
“Life is good.”

Hidden talents:
Kermit, Satchmo and that creepy voice-over movie guy kidnap my vocal cords when they feel like it. At least they always bring them back.

My tombstone will read:
He saw the light. Fo’ real? Yes. Fo’ real.

Mary Downer
MANAGING EDITOR
maryd@povhouma.com

Coming from a background in retail sales, I joined Rushing Media as a salesperson in July 2007. After two years in sales, I left PoV only to return a week later as an editorial assistant. As different opportunities presented themselves, I found my place as managing editor of this amazing publication.

I am an addict of social media, enjoy driving around topless in my Jeep (the Jeep, not Mary) and I recently added “attend every festival in Louisiana” to my bucket list.

My spare moments are filled with family-first activities, whether traveling to different ballparks for my boyfriend John to play softball, entertaining my niece Lola with endless crafting or just enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Favorite quote:
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” Dr. Seuss

Hidden talents:
I can do magic. I can place two socks in the laundry and have only one come out.

My tombstone will read:
Here lies Mary D. She died at the young age of one hundred and three. She worked for a magazine called PoV, Her ghost is still there; it’s deadline week, you see!

Debbie Rushing
ADVISOR
debbie@weeklywantads.com

Sweet home Alabama is where I was born. World’s Whitest Beaches, Florida, is where I was raised. Cajun Country, South Louisiana, is where my family has been raised. Banking was my first real job. Publishing is now my career.

Gardening, monogramming, decorating and doodling in photography are my passions.

My grandson is my “take away my breath” vice. Just watching him explore, learn, laugh and sleep is pure heaven. His sweet hugs and kisses are straight from the heart.

My black lab, Mr. B, really makes me mad when he opens the gate to the back yard and goes swimming in the pond and then goes swimming in the pool. He’s getting really good at opening the gate. But how can you be mad at a dog with such great talent?

Favorite quote:
I read in a Nicholas Sparks book once, “The more you own, the more it owns you.” I’m at the “less is more” stage of my life. SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY!

Hidden talents:
They’re hidden so well, I haven’t been able to locate them yet!

My tombstone will read:
My body is in this box but my spirit will always be with you.

Gavin Stevens
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
gavin@weeklywantads.com

Gavin’s origins are said to be nothing less than legendary.

After graduating from Nicholls in graphic design, I prepared for Hurricane Katrina by working at an ad agency in New Orleans. After losing this epic battle of wills, I joined Rushing Media just in time to help launch Kidsville News. Soon after, plans for an ambitious, ground-breaking and possibly gravity-defying publication began to take shape.

In April 2007, I helped launch Point of Vue magazine, immediately improving your quality of life. You’re welcome.

In the four years since, I’ve helped refine, direct and influence each publication produced by Rushing Media.

Since you’re wondering what a superior being such as myself finds interesting, here is a short list: discovering new music, logo and web design, grilling, reading, documentaries, tech stuff and incredible TV shows. Scientists say it’s impossible to know my dislikes. When coming down from my high-horse, I can be found hanging out with my incredible wife, Dawn and my too-cute-for-school daughter, Belen.

Favorite quote:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Hidden talents:
levitation

My tombstone will read:
If I owe you money, it’s too late.

Ashley Comeaux-Foret
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ashleyc@houmaweekly.com

As a child, I always wanted to be something artistic and free spirited, like a teacher or a hair stylist. I had a wonderful talent of sketching from sight and often displayed my talent on my grandparents’ kitchen wall in permanent marker. In my wonder years I learned how to manipulate basic clip art using Microsoft Paint and later I went on to pursue a degree in graphic design.

After one year with Rushing Media I continue to dazzle the magazine with my own flare and I get to jam out to my favorite music while doing the job I love.

In my spare time, I love spending time with my darling husband Adam and my two cats. Also, taking over the world.

Favorite quote:
“I just drank a fifth of Kool-Aid, dare me to drive!” Eminem

Hidden talents:
I’m double jointed.

My tombstone will read:
Here lies sweet, loving, awesome, beautiful Ashley. She will be right back after this brief message.

Ingrid Chiasson
SALES MANAGER
ingrid@houmaweekly.com

Coming from a career in radio and newspaper, I was looking to retire. But, working with this awesome staff was too hard to pass up. And I was right, it has been an unbelievable year.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening, reading and knitting. As far as gardening goes, I have more of a sage green thumb, but I am learning fast (thanks to Brian).

Favorite quote:
“It is up to me!!!”

Hidden talents:
I love to knit, but anything else is very well hidden.

My tombstone will read:
No tombstone...just my ashes blowing in the wind.

Darlene Mott
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
darlene@weeklywantads.com

When I started working at Rushing Media almost 7 years ago they treated me like family. What an awesome feeling! So when we get new employees I treat them the same way and literally toot a horn.

My motto is “It takes a team to get the job done. What a great team we have!” Now you know why Ashley and Lacey are always laughing... they’re having TOO much fun with ME!

I love my job, husband of over 30 years, great kids and my precious grandbabies that will tell you in a heartbeat that they love some Maw Maw Darlene. And of course I love Buddy Paul, my dog, and my fantastic friends. If you are lucky enough to have all of this, what more could a person need?

Favorite quote:
“When is enough, enough? How much money does it take? Money is not everything.” Karl Mott

Hidden talents:
I can do aqualight swimming.

My tombstone will read:
Because you came to see me I know I made a difference. Now show me them pearly whites and shake ya tail feather girlfriend or baby daddy.

Lacey LeBlanc
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
lacey@houmaweekly.com

I joined Rushing Media a little over a year ago because I was fresh out of college and needed a job. My job rocks simply because of the people I get to spend all day with. There is never a dull moment in our office.

When I’m not working I love to travel and hope to one day visit Italy. My idle time at home is spent playing CityVille these days. I love to cook and spend time with my babies as much as possible.

Favorite quote:
“No one can start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. I live for the moments you can’t put into words.”

Hidden talents:
I have an ability to memorize numbers like you wouldn’t believe. I can read a phone number once and it is forever engraved into my memory.

My tombstone will read:
BRB LOL =P