EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

NANCYE RAY

Nancye Ray is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism. At the age of 23, she was named editor of a weekly newspaper in western Kentucky and subsequently won several awards from the Kentucky Press Association.

While living in Colombia, she was associate editor of The Chronicle in Bogota, which was a weekly newspaper for the English-speaking population. She has also written a travel guide for upscale Latin American tourists called New York Alive.

Nancye started with The Islander as a reporter, became associate editor, then editor, then publisher. Since she was named editor and publisher, The Islander News has won more than 30 Florida Press Association awards and six National Newspaper Association awards.

Nancye has been married for 17 years to Richard, who works for an oil exploration company in Peru. They have an 11-year-old daughter named Rebecca and live in Hollywood.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

ANNE OWENS WRIGHT

Anne Owens Wright was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and graduated with a BE degree from National College of Education in Evanston, IL. Anne taught kindergarten before moving with her husband and three sons to Key Biscayne in 1966.

Anne began work at The Islander in 1968 as a paste-up artist and continued through the ranks of the newspaper on the business, advertising and graphics side. She and Clyde Owens bought the award-winning Islander in 1985. Clyde died in 1987 and Anne remained as owner and publisher until 1990 when she began turning over production responsibilities to very capable people.

Anne gave herself the position of director of community affairs and spearheads all efforts of service by and for The Islander News on the Key and beyond. These include an annual EnviroFest writing contest for students, political forums, holiday decorating contests, Rotary Club Art Festival, youth and family service projects and fundraisers.

Anne is married to Don Wright and lives on Key Biscayne. Her sons, their wives and four grandchildren live in southeast Florida. She enjoys Episcopal Church ministries, traveling and the beautiful outdoors.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

JAMES OWENS

James Owens has been living on Key Biscayne since his family moved to the island paradise in 1966. He graduated Barry University in 1988 with a degree in philosophy and political science with a minor in sports medicine.

From 1988 to 1996, James worked as a mental health therapist at North Shore Medical Center. In 1994, he was promoted to assistant director of mental health services.

In October 1996, James became the advertising representative for The Islander News. James is married to Kari Benson-Owens, who does photography for The Islander News Beachcombings page. In his spare time, James enjoys fishing, diving, golf, tennis, softball and automobile racing.

STAFF WRITER

GARY GREENBERG

Gary Greenberg was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. He graduated Pennsylvania State University in 1976 with a B.A. degree in journalism and received a masters of fine arts in creative writing from Florida International University in 1992.

Gary has been writing professionally as a freelancer and reporter for more than 20 years. During this time, he has also been a deli counterman, horse groom, apartment house manager, weight training instructor, house painter, freshman composition professor, bridge tender, import/export business manager and performance artist.

Gary covers the government beat for The Islander News and writes assorted features including a series of in-depth profiles called "Up Close and Personal." He also pens an award-winning humor column called "Tropical Debris."

Gary lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Nora, three-year-old son, Glen, and four-year-old dog, Banyan. When he had spare time, he used to like to play rugby, windsurf, SCUBA dive, skate, bike, read and paint.

STAFF WRITER

DAVID KILMER

David Kilmer was born in Schenectedy, New York and earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of South Florida.

In 1995, David joined The Islander News, where he covers sports, police and fire rescue. He also freelances sports articles for publications such as the Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times and Florida Sports Magazine.

David enjoys playing tennis and the arts in his spare time.

STAFF WRITER

BRENT BALDWIN

Born and raised in Joppatowne, Maryland, Brent Baldwin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Salisbury State University.

In 1996, he took a position as a "hard news" reporter with Homestead Publishing in Bel Air, Md. While with Homestead, he wrote for different sections of the paper, including sports, features and reviews.

After relocating to South Florida in June of 1998, Brent joined The Islander News staff that fall as a feature writer.

GENERAL/BUSINESS MANAGER

GLORIA CHAPMAN

Gloria Chapman has been with The Islander News since 1981. She joined the staff as a typesetter then was named office manager and later became general/business manager.

Gloria has lived on Key Biscayne since 1968 and raised two sons, Keith and Danny, on the island.

Gloria is the medical guru of The Islander News and enjoys health-related activities ranging from yoga to walking on the beach. She is an avid movie fan. In fact, the only thing she enjoys more that the cinema is playing with her granddaughter, Lindsay.

CREATIVE/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

SHARON CHUI

Sharon Chui joined the staff of The Islander News in 1992 and was promoted to creative/production director in 1996. She has won numerous awards from the Florida Press Association for her advertising and graphic designs.

Sharon was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., and attended State University College in Buffalo. Before joining The Islander, she worked at The Boca Raton News and The Sun Sentinel.

Sharon and her husband, Carlos, a professional photographer, live in Hollywood. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys gardening, bicycling, baking and making crafts.