Meet the staff
We are the employees of West End Word and Virginia Publishing, and we believe that it's more fun to do business with people you know. Here's a chance to get to know us a little. Feel free to call us at (314) 367-6612.
So, where did Jeff go to high school? That’s all you really need to know about a native St. Louisan, right? Jeff grew up in St. Louis county and graduated from Chaminade High School in 1977. He got a degree in political science from St. Louis University in 1981 and spent eight years working first as an editor for the Suburban Journals and then in corporate public relations for McDonnell Douglas and Martin Marietta aerospace companies.
In 1989, Jeff bought the West End Word and moved back to St. Louis from Colorado. The newspaper originally was part of a family business called Virginia Broadcasting. The company is named for Jeff’s mother, Virginia Fister. Jeff’s business expanded in 1992 when he started publishing books on local history. One recent book, not surprisingly, is: So, Where’d You Go To High School? Jeff’s company also publishes special event programs for historic city house tours and performances at the Fox Theatre and the Sheldon Theatre.
Jeff loves living in his old Central West End home, which was built in 1897. His family includes his wife Laura, eight children…. and four pet chickens, which you can read about in Jeff’s West End Word column. Jeff is active in the Central West End Association and is a board member of the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Friends organization and the St. Louis Press Club. In 2007, he was presented a “Quest Award” from the National Federation of Press Women for communications.
Sarah Zeveski, Sales Representative (ext. 26)
Sarah grew up in St. Louis, living everywhere from Ballwin to the Central West End. After getting a taste of the gypsy life, she decided to attend Arizona State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations. After a few years of traveling, she decided to return to her roots and moved back to St. Louis. Sarah joined Virginia Publishing in September 2007 as a Sales Representative. In her free time she loves to camp, cook, and play with her husband, Adam, and their two Boston Terrors, umm, Terriers. In August 2008 Sarah and Adam welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Samuel Arthur Zeveski, in to the world. The Bostons are adjusting well.
Jake Sackman, Sales Representative (ext. 23)
Ben, a graduate from Washington University in 2000, is an avid freelance illustrator/graphic designer and exhibiting artist. He's been with Virginia Publishing since 2001. When time allows he enjoys teaching his sister's dog bad habits, and then subsequently trying to correct them. His last attempt at teaching said dog to climb a tree was ultimately unsuccessful. Hope, however, springs eternal.
Kate Huffman joined the Virginia Publishing team in March of 2006. Kate’s creativity has led her to love of photography and the color yellow. She is adventurous, and can often be found running or mountain biking. Although injuries from her intensity sometime keep her off the trails for a couple of weeks at a time (read-clumsiness), she refuses to give up her love affair with these outdoor hobbies. Keeping with this quest for adventure, Kate enjoys traveling and has a passion for sushi. Although she has love for many things, the biggest loves of her life include Bruce Lee and her beautiful dog Bella.
Kara has been with the Word since early 2004, when she started as an editorial intern. After graduating from Webster University with a bachelor's degree in journalism that spring, she joined the paper full time as a staff writer in September 2004. She took charge of the Word's arts pages in January 2007 and took over the editorship in April 2009. Having grown up in Montana, Kara is still relatively new to St. Louis and lives in Maplewood with her husband, Karl, and their son, Logan. She spends her free time exploring the metro area, reading everything she can get her hands on and pining for the ski slopes of Montana.
Pat Acquisto, Office Manager (ext. 32)
Pat Acquisto is Virginia Publishing’s office manager. She joined the company in spring 2006. She has a degree in business administration and more than 20 years of experience in accounting. Born and raised in the Compton Heights area of St. Louis, she now lives in nearby Lindenwood in south city and is an active board member of the Lindenwood Neighborhood Association. She and her husband Tom have three sons, Nick, Joe and Ben, and Pat spends her free time attending her kids’ ball games, organizing neighborhood events and volunteering as a scout leader.
Tammy Brownfield, Director, Program Advertising (314-644-2501)
Tammy sells display ads for our Special Programs Division, which includes neighborhood directories, neighborhood house tour programs, theater playbills and local events such as Circus Flora and the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Fifteen plus years with the company makes her one of Virginia Publishing's "oldest" (thesaurus please) current employees. She was born and raised in the City, and now resides in Dogtown with her husband Mike and two sons, William & Jacob. During the summer they travel in their RV in search of fish and fun.
