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Publisher

Stewart Dobson literally grew up in the newspaper business, having begun working for his father and long-time Eastern Shore of Maryland newsman, the late Emory Dobson, at an early age. By the time he entered the business in 1970, he had worked in circulation, the press room, typesetting and the photography department. He went on to become an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic arts designer in a career that took him from the Eastern Shore to Arizona and Colorado and back again. He joined Ocean City Today in 1994.

Managing Editor

Managing Editor Brandi Mellinger was born and raised in the heart of Pennsylvania, just south of Nittany Lion territory. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and then skipped off to the beach.
While working as a bartender at a handful of restaurants in Ocean City, she also worked full-time as a reporter for the Beachcomber, Maryland Times-Press (now Worcester County Times) and the Ocean Pines Independent, all Gannett-owned newspapers. Later, she became a self-taught page designer/graphic designer. She’s won several awards for both writing and design.
In October 2005, Brandi joined Ocean City Today as news editor. She has since been named managing editor, leading a staff of three reporters, seasonal interns and newspaper production staff.

Associate Editor

Assistant Editor Lisa Capitelli, a New York native, entered Salisbury University (then Salisbury State) in the fall of 1998 and graduated in the spring of 2002 with a Bachelors of Arts degree. She majored in communication arts, and minored in art, with concentration on photography.
Lisa began her career at Ocean City Today as a staff writer in February 2003. She was promoted to Assistant Editor in August 2011. Editorial responsibilities include covering sports — from local high school games, to fishing tournaments and recreation and park programs, the business community and weekly happenings, events and activities.

Nancy Powell

Staff writer Nancy Powell, the sole remaining staffer from the first year of Ocean City Today, has covered almost every beat, but now covers county government, police and courts. She has won numerous awards for her writing and also for her photography.

A native of the area, she grew up in Friendship and Taylorville and now lives in Ocean Pines. Her first job was manager of the toy counters at Edwards 5 & 10 on the Boardwalk at North Division Street at age 14. She then worked for seven summers at various Candy Kitchen locations because of the two $5 raises each summer, one in early July and another in late August. She graduated from Florida Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural anthropology. She learned journalism on the job. She serves as a trustee of Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin and is also a member of the church’s Mission Committee.

Zach Hoopes

Zack grew up and graduated from high school in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He attended Columbia University, where he received a B.S. in history while writing for various campus publications and New York City-based nonprofit groups. He worked from 2010-2012 as a reviewer and editor for an international translation firm, also based in Manhattan. The promise of intrigue, adventure, and lower rent brought him to Ocean City Today in April 2012. He owns a cat and several pieces of attractive Swedish furniture.