About Us

There was a time when governors muttered his name under their breath. These days it’s mostly the writers who do that. A Pulitzer finalist with more than 20 years experience, Clay has written and edited for some of the most respected news organizations in the country, including the Charlotte Observer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Virginian-Pilot.

These days the Appalachian State University graduate leads a team that produces dozens of publications for Pilot Media, including Distinction, VA Growler, Outer Banks Magazine, and PRIME.
As an editor he favors solid reporting, narrative flair and a sense of humor. As a person, he favors bourbon.

After spending 10 years in radio,
EJ redirected his talents to graphic design and joined The Virginian-Pilot over 18 years ago. EJ has been a creative director for Distinction for 9 years. Known for his creative flair and crazy ideas, EJ is lead creative director for other products as well, such as VA Growler, PRIME and Outer Banks Magazine.

A graduate of East Carolina University, EJ also dabbles in video and music production and plays music regionally in the band, Galaxy Dynamite.

Victoria didn’t set out to become a journalist – but it happened anyway.  

She parlayed a degree in English literature from the University of Virginia into a job with The Virginian-Pilot in 2004, where she eventually became an award-winning reporter and respected community news editor after starting her career as an office manager/editorial assistant.

Since February 2019 she has worked as associate editor for Special Products, where she writes and helps edit all the cool things in Distinction, VA Growler, Prime and Outer Banks magazines. 

Victoria is partial to a dram of Irish whiskey and walks in the woods. She says her dog may be the coolest person she knows, and she’s pretty sure her Olympic rowing dreams are just a regatta or two away.