Meet our staff
David Gustafson, editor/publisher
As publisher, David is responsible for the entire operation of the newspaper and its staff. He is responsible for meeting the payroll and making sure the newspapers are profitable while giving readers and advertisers a good value for their money. He also writes an occasional newspaper column, mows the grass, and has been known to run a vacuum. He began his newspaper career as a cub reporter for a daily newspaper in his hometown of Pryor, Okla. and has gone on to win top writing awards in four different states. A native-born Okie and avid fan of Dust Bowl troubadour Woody Guthrie, he has led newspaper operations in Oklahoma, Maine and Iowa before moving to the deep south in 2009 with his wife, Hope, and their four (count ‘em four) sons. An admitted music junkie, history buff, and sucker for reality television, Gustafson’s dream is to one day retire to the wilds of western Maine to write the next great American novel. Who knows? You might just end up as one of his characters.

Beth Bunch, managing editor
Beth serves as editor of The Lamar Times, The Petal News, and Signature Magazine. In this position, she is responsible for the editorial content of all three publications. A native of Amory in northeast Mississippi, she has worked in the newspaper business since she was in the third grade. She started out at The Amory Advertiser sweeping floors, filling the drink box and running errands. She is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women in Columbus with a BS in Journalism and a minor in Art History. She has worked as a copy editor, lifestyles editor, general manager and publisher and has been an editor at Hattiesburg Publishing, Inc. since August 2003. The UNC Tarheel fan loves clothes, shoes, shopping, digging in the dirt (aka “therapy”) and decorating. She hopes to skydive before her next birthday.

Dana Gower, staff writer
Dana has been tracking down news stories in the Pine Belt for nearly 30 years. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, he knows everyone who lives in a four-county area and has written a story about each one of them at least twice.

Josh Mlot, sports editor
Josh is a 2004 graduate of the Miami University (Ohio) School of Journalism and the newest member of the HubCitySPOKES.com team. He and his wife, Samantha, moved here in the spring of 2011 from Philipsburg, Penn. where he spent four years as a sports writer. An avid hockey fan and former touring rock-and-roll superstar, Josh's responsibilities include filling the newspapers with unique and well-written sports stories and also spearheading our new sports website, www.PineBeltSPORTS.com

Sonya James, office manager
Sonya has been with Hattiesburg Publishing since 1996 - making her the elder statesman and official keeper of office secrets. She lives in Soso, Mississippi - which is certainly more than “so so” with her living there. She has a grown daughter and two beautiful grandchildren - Anna Lea and Hayden.

Bill Benge, art director
Bill is an integral part of the Hattiesburg Publishing family. As production manager, he makes sure the rest of us hit our deadlines whenever possible. He is also an outstanding graphic artist with nearly 30 years experience and he’s responsible for making our publications look so darn good. He loves music and motorcycles and the rare weekends when he doesn’t have to work.

Emily Hall, graphic artist
Emily has worked in advertising and graphic design since she graduated from Southern Miss in 2001. She lives in Oak Grove with her husband, Matt, and their chocolate lab puppy, Bella. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Missy Akins, advertising manager
Missy has sold newspaper advertising in the Pine Belt since 1999. She’s a graduate of Magee High School and lives in Oak Grove with her sons Brandon, Dylan, and Nicholas. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and cheering on her sons at baseball fields throughout the Pine Belt.

Jessica Wallace, account executive
Jessica has been selling newspaper advertising for the past several years. She is the graduate of Seminary High School and lives in Petal with her husband, Joseph, and her two daughters, Ryleigh and Raegan. In her spare time she likes to bowl, shop, go to church, hang out with her family and friends.