ABOUT US

Rachel Malone West is the founder and publisher of Invitation Magazines. She and her husband, Phil, launched Invitation Oxford in 2006, and in May 2010 they began Invitation Tupelo. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi and received a master’s degree from Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. She has lived in both Jackson and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast working in public relations as well as doing several projects as a freelance writer.

Sonia Thompson is the managing editor of Invitation Oxford. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Before moving to Oxford, she worked for Lucky and Woman’s Day magazines in New York. She has worked for Invitation Oxford since 2010.

Melanie Crownover is the staff writer for Invitation Magazines. A Tupelo native and graduate of Mississippi University for Women, Crownover has written for publications all over the southeast since 2005 including Columbus’ Commercial Dispatch, The Daily Pressin Virginia, The Town Talk in Louisiana and Valley Parent Magazine in Georgia. She has been with Invitation Magazines since 2010.

Lena Anderson is the associate editor for Invitation Oxford and Invitation Tupelo. She has a degree in communication studies and creative writing from Missouri State University and has been a freelance writer for Invitation Magazines since 2011.

Emily Suber is the production manager of Invitation Magazines. She has a degree in art and graphic design from the University of Mississippi. Before coming to work for Invitation Oxford in 2008, she was a product development coordinator for Crown Products in Mobile, Ala.

Hallie Marshall Thomas is the art director of Invitation Magazines. She is an Oxford native who graduated from the University of Mississippi and worked as a designer for Cooking Light, Southern Accents and entrée magazines, all in Birmingham, Ala. She has been with Invitation Magazines since 2010.

Joe Worthem is the staff photographer for Invitation Magazines. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and is an Oxford native. Worthem has experience in both photography and graphic design. He previously worked for FNC, Inc., Southern Growth Studio and Oxford Publishing Company. He has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2010.

Becca Bailey is a graphic designer for Invitation Magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in photography from Delta State University. She has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2012.

Courtney Sims is a graphic and web designer for Invitation Magazines. She is a Tupelo native, and she has a bachelors degree in graphic design from Mississippi State University. Before coming to work for Invitation Magazines, she was the advertising and web designer for The Daily Journal. She teaches dance in her spare time and spoils her rescue dog, Zoe and Husky, August.

Zach Fields is a graphic designer for Invitation Magazines. He attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and majored in fashion design. Before coming to work for Invitation Magazines in 2012, he interned as a menswear designer for Marc Jacobs in New York.

Cindy Semmes is the director of advertising for Invitation Magazines. Semmes attended University of Mississippi and graduated from University of Memphis with a degree broadcast journalism and mass communications. She has worked in media in Memphis, Tenn.; Princeton, N.J.; and Lexington, Ky.; and has been with Invitation Magazines since 2008. She is married to John Semmes, and they have two daughters.

Alise Emerson is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. Emerson has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi. She has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2010. She is married to Joseph Emerson, and they have a son.

Leigh Lowery is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in marketing from the University of Mississippi. Lowery has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2009.

Lynn McElreath is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. A graduate from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, McElreath has been with Invitation Magazines since 2007. A native Oxonian, she is married to Mark McElreath and they have three children.

Mary Moreton is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. She has a bachelor’s of business administration in finance from the University of Mississippi She has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2013. She is married to Derek Moreton, and they have two sons, Jackson and Anders.

Moni Simpson is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. Simpson has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Mississippi, and has worked for Invitation Magazines since 2011. She is married to Stuart Simpson and is an avid dog foster and rescuer.

Sheena Hagemann is an advertising consultant for Invitation Magazines. Before coming to Invitation Magazines, she worked in advertising for The Daily Journal for seven years. She lives in Tupelo with her husband and two children.

Hollie Hilliard is the office manager of Invitation Magazines. She is an Oxford native who attended Northwest Community College where she majored in business and paralegal studies. She has worked with Invitation Magazines since 2013.