Brad Kava - Owner | Editor
Brad Kava is a lifelong journalist who got his start working for Santa Cruz weeklies and then spent many years commuting over the hill to newspapers in San Jose and Gilroy. When he had a son four years ago with Jennifer Ford, he found a way to stay in the county he loves and writes about what he was learning: raising kids. He has two teenaged stepchildren with Jennifer and together they are plugged into the spectrum of child-rearing from birth to almost college. Their bold adventure together inspires them to put out a resource for local families and all the challenges they face.
Steve Dinnen- Owner
Steve Dinnen met co-publisher Brad Kava while the two of them were riding bicycles across Iowa. Steve has stayed back in Iowa (plenty of hills to pedal up, no mountains) and works remotely with Brad to publish Growing Up in Santa Cruz.
A widowed father of three adult children who are spread out across three time zones, Steve has spent decades in journalism, in newspapers or magazines. His specialty has been on business news, and he focuses on service stories – those that readers can find useful.
Christy Shults - Art Director | Managing Editor
Christy is responsible for the rebranding of the paper. She is the owner and designer for Zelzi Belle. After years in the tech industry she decided to go back to school for graphic design to support her family while enjoying being creative. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook @zelzibelle, visit her website at zelzibelle.com or email her at [email protected]
Ann Fitts - Sales Rep
Ann joined the Growing Up family in 2001 after working in the travel business for 20 years. Working for GUiSC gave her the wonderful opportunity to stay at home with her daughter as she was growing up, and also stay connected and involved with the amazing Santa Cruz County community. She enjoys traveling, playing tennis, long walks at the beach, sewing, and spending time with her family and grand-pups.
Linda Kay - Sales Rep
Linda has been working with Growing Up in Santa Cruz since 1998. In her free time she loves gardening, puzzles, reading, games and spending time with her family, in person and virtually. She volunteers with Operation Christmas Child, bringing Good News and Joy to children around the world.
Sophie Veniel - Sales Rep
My name is Sophie Veniel. I am French. This explains the weird accent on my name. I have been enjoying and helping my clients at Growing Up in Santa Cruz for many years.
What I love the most in life is family, the beach, exploring the simple beauty of nature, discovering new places, traveling, gardening, and cooking. All this beauty makes me smile.
Kevin Painchaud - Photographer
Kevin have been taking photos for various publications for over 30 years. He has a deep passion for telling stories through the visual medium. Before being a photographer for Growing Up In Santa Cruz, Kevin was a successful TV and film producer for over 13 years. You may follow Kevin’s work at instagram.com/painchaudkevin
Suki Wessling - Writer
Suki Wessling writes about parenting, gifted children, and education. She homeschooled and schooled her two children, who are now “all growed up.” She teaches online courses for kids and adults at Athena’s Advanced Academy, has a radio show with Brad Kava on KSQD, and keeps an active blog. She is also a performing musician and is on the board of the Jazz Society of Santa Cruz County. Read her work and get on her email list at sukiwessling.com
One Comment
Frank Rimicci Jr.
I read the shameful editorial in the current edition of growing Up. This kind of smut is precisely why the opponents have deemed the greenway initiative deceiptful. We lost the line over the hill, thanks to the oil and tire companies and folks dedication to automobiles at the time. Now Brad Kava is using His paper to promote making that mistake again. With only one highway for residents, He should be promoting the continuance of the trail being built now and future rail service if He really cares for Our kids growing up. One needs to think ahead and consider the past when planning the future. Greenway would only delay the trail by years and eliminate and waste millions and millions spent on planning, studies, repairs, etc..Best to re-use and recycle the existing line than to destroy and discard it. If You would rather see the highway widened at a cost of 60 million per mile and folks spending Their hard earned dollars on gasoline meaure D is for You. Not Me. I want Our kids and grandkids to have a beautiful trail AND a clean transit option. Frank Rimicci Jr. Corralitos