Meet the RSVP Team

Roy Haithcock | Publisher

As Publisher of RSVP Memphis and owner of Haithcock Communications, Inc. Roy Haithcock has more than 25 years of experience in magazine publishing and media marketing. A native of Middle Tennessee and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Haithcock created RSVP in 1995 and has been the driving force behind the magazine's rapid growth since its inception.

 

Leah Fitzpatrick | Editor

Leah brings a diverse background in journalism and the arts to RSVP Magazine. Originally from Middle Tennessee, Leah earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Vanderbilt University and later acquired a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University. She previously worked as editor and director of the news department of a national equine publication. Though she has had the opportunity to live in one of her favorite tourist spots, London, England, she is glad to call Memphis home and loves to bring notable Memphians’ stories to the pages of RSVP.

 

Patrick Akers | Art Director

Patrick oversees all visual aspects of the magazine — advertising and editorial. He is a self-taught graphic designer with more than a decade of experience in print media. His eye for computer design is rooted in his fine art talents, among others, painting, sculpting and drawing.

 

Steve Roberts | Photographer

Steve Roberts has been shooting a wide range of subjects on the local scene since the early '80s. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Roberts' photos of local, national and international musicians have been shown at galleries and institutions throughout the city. He is also active in advertising and portrait photography.

 

Ruthie Cassin | Accounting, Contributing Writer

Having received a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College, Ruthie Cassin joined the RSVP team in 2008 and is now in charge of accounting and is a contributing writer. Ruthie also attended graduate school at the University of Memphis and is a former teacher and paralegal. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters, Holly and Ellen, and of course, her cat Melba. In her spare time, Ruthie enjoys being outside and pursuing one of her greatest passions, gardening.

 

Jonathan Devin | Contributing Writer

Jonathan Devin is a full-time freelance writer based in Memphis, covering business, arts and entertainment, news, events and food for publications including The Commercial Appeal, The Daily News/The Memphis News, Main Street Journal, The Memphis Downtowner, Edible Memphis and of course, this venerable mag.  He is the author of five full-length plays, a book of poetry and the Great American Novel is due any day now.  Mr. Devin accepts payment in the form of single malt Scotch and fine cigars.

 

Nathan W. Berry | Photographer

Nathan W. Berry is an award-winning Memphis based photographer that specializes in commercial, wedding and event photography. Born and raised in Midtown Memphis, Nathan has been shooting throughout the Mid-South for 15 years. Also an avid runner, Nathan is a member of the Memphis Runners Track Club and competes in local races, like the St. Jude Marathon, to raise money and awareness for charities. To see more of Nathan's work or for booking, go to NathanWBerryPhotography.com or email nathan@nwbphoto.com.

 

Libby Huff  | Senior Account Executive

Having worked in advertising and publishing since 2000, Libby decided to try her hand in magazine ad sales by joining the RSVP team in 2007. Right off the bat, this free-spirited Mississippi girl (She’s originally from Meridian.) fit in perfectly with her new surroundings, quickly rising to become head of the advertising department as senior account executive. A proud parent of a rescue Rottweiler named Scout, she’s also had a hand in making RSVP a dog-friendly workplace.

 

Dominic Van Horn | Photographer

From an early age, Dominic Van Horn documented the world around him through paintings and drawings, eventually picking up a camera and learning the art of photography. Born and raised in Memphis and schooled at the Memphis College of Art, Dominic enjoys capturing the spirit of this city and its inhabitants in his art and in work for publications like RSVP.

 

Baxter Buck  | Photographer

Originally from Clarksville, Tennessee, Baxter moved to Memphis in 1999 after spending 10 years in Nashville, where he began his freelance photography career. Baxter was attracted to Memphis by its uniqueness, its character and especially by the visual aesthetics abundant in Midtown. Once in Memphis, Baxter further developed his career as a freelance photographer. He continues to offer his unique vision to the Mid-South. Baxter holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Austin Peay and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in professional writing at the University of Memphis.

 

Dennis Phillippi  | Comedic Columnist

Writer, actor and comedian Dennis Phillippi was raised by a traveling circus family. He has been in show business his entire life, and despite a spotty, ineffective education, he has also managed to be paid to write hundreds of times. Most of the people who know him find this hilarious. Dennis has been married to his wife, Memphis native Janet, for more than 25 years. Her family is unaware of this. His monthly contribution to the magazine is called RSVPhillippi.

 

Jeannie Mandelker  | Contributing Writer

Jeannie Mandelker loves the people, vibe and social scene in Memphis, so in 2009 she was delighted to come South and open a Memphis office for Harrison Edwards PR & Marketing, an award-winning New York firm. Prior to joining Harrison Edwards in 2002, she enjoyed a long and successful career as a writer, editor and publisher. She has a B.A. in English writing (Honors) from Queens College and an M.S. in journalism from Columbia University.

 

Maggie Giffin  | Editorial Intern

Maggie Giffin is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in marketing communications with an emphasis on magazine publishing. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Maggie moved to Memphis to attend culinary school in hopes of pursuing a career in both food styling/writing and magazine publishing. Maggie enjoys reading magazines, cooking and her new position as editorial intern at RSVP Memphis.