Each member of our team brings experiences from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, education and training. Collectively, we’ve acquired and developed skills and interests across a broad spectrum. We’ve invested in our families and homes, we’re involved in our community and we’re passionate about keeping it local. We know what it takes to operate a small business and we know the satisfaction that comes from staying connected to the people and businesses that stay connected to us.
fran johnson, publisher
[fran@harfordsheart.com]Fran’s political idealism in her teens translated into specifics of community service during the years that she raised her daughters, taking roles that ranged from girl scout leader, choir mom and PTA volunteer to local political office, all while sharing management of a family-owned design/manufacturing business. A native of Baltimore County, she had lived in Philadelphia’s Main Line and in London before relocating to Harford County, where she and her husband Wayne are renovating an 1890s shotgun house in Bel Air. Despite the enticements of gardening and handcrafts and visits to her daughters in San Francisco and NY, Fran remains committed to community involvement. She’s an active member of the Board of the Bel Air Alliance, volunteering at community events throughout the year. Her favorite event is the outdoor movie series in Bel Air – stop by and say hello when you buy your popcorn.
sandy kapinos, creative director
[sandy@harfordsheart.com]Sandy utilizes her natural talents and flair, along with her business and corporate communication degrees from the University of Baltimore. She has been in the design and marketing industry for over 20 years, initially for other firms and for the last 13 years as the owner of Sonipak Design & Marketing, providing design, advertising and marketing services for regional and national businesses. She currently balances her agency work with the welcome demands of motherhood and assisting her husband Kevin with the operations of Kapinos Builders, a home improvement company. In addition to volunteering at school, church and activities for her three children Garrett, Lars & Gwenivere, Sandy served on the Board of the Rockfield Foundation and participates in coordinating fund-raising events for a number of local non-profit organizations. She’s a devoted friend and animal lover (with one crazy Irish Setter), passionate concert-goer, fascinated by medieval history and art, and an energetic gardener and cook.
maria knott, circulation & advertising sales
[maria@harfordsheart.com]After earning her MS in mathematics, Maria rediscovered her real passion in art. She took a few detours through teaching, property management, antique dealership and home renovation, as well as volunteering with community groups such as the Harford Artists Association, to establish herself as an award-winning portraitist and muralist. Her passion for artistic expression has its roots in her commitment to her community in northern Harford County. You can view Maria's artwork by visiting www.mariaknott.com. In following her own dream, Maria "gets it" about small business owners and about supporting local endeavors. Like most of the team, she’s a pet owner, with a menagerie of dogs, ducks and parrots.
jenipher knoerlein, advertising sales
[jenipher@harfordsheart.com]A fairly recent transplant to Harford County, Jenipher has worked in marketing and advertising at CBS radio, in pharmaceutical sales and in advertising sales with the Aegis and the Baltimore Examiner. She shares with other members of our team a commitment to small local businesses, consulting with a number of business owners on market development. Along with husband Mike, sons Reid and Tucker, and daughter Savannah, Jenipher loves traveling, playing games and visiting local parks and County amenities.
lisa jones-butz, staff writer, the style file
[lisajonesbutz@gmail.com]After graduation from C. Milton Wright High School, Lisa struck out from home to 'spread her wings' and pursue her interests in art and design. After graduation from University of Baltimore, with a degree in Communications and History, along with independent art history studies in Europe and attending styling school, she became an educator for the Wella Corporation, training other stylists and assisting on and off stage at national shows and seminars. Her reputation led to her co-hosting a monthly makeover segment on Fox 45 TV, as well as being Beauty Editor of Smart Women magazine. Marriage and a family (7 year old twins and a 5 year old son) reorganized priorities and she returned to Harford County. "Harford County is home; it's familiar and comfortable, and the school's are great. There's so much going on here that I had to move away to appreciate!" Lisa is the owner of Subtle Rebellion, a salon and art gallery, featuring monthly shows for regional artists. Her sense of style, as well as her sense of place, gives her a unique perspective for The Style File, bringing global and national beauty, health and style trends to Harford County.
vonnie winslow crist, staff writer
[wincrist@yahoo.com]Vonnie’s life-long interest in the arts encompasses both writing and illustration. She earned her BS in Art-Education from Towson University in 1974, returning 30 years later to earn her MS in Professional Writing. In addition to writing "The Writers Block" for Harford’s Heart, she is staff illustrator for "The Vegetarian Journal," editor of "The Gunpowder Review," and occasionally teaches creative writing for Harford Community College. She has lived in Jarrettsville for 37 years, drawing inspiration for her writing and art from gardening, animals and folklore. A Maryland State Arts Council AiE Poet for over a decade, Vonnie is author-illustrator of "Essential Fables," "River of Stars," and "Leprechaun Cake & Other Tales;" editor of the anthologies "Lower Than the Angels" and "Through a Glass Darkly." Her fiction and poems appear regularly in mainstream and speculative magazines.
darin d'onofrio, staff writer
[darin@harfordsheart.com]In another era, Darin would be known as a Renaissance Man – embracing a wide range of skills, interests and experience. He's a successful realtor (with Long & Foster), an Instructor for State Certification of Responsible Alcohol Service, part-time Supervisor at Fallston Seafood, and a consultant for the hospitality industry. The former owner of Otter Point Station, his past also includes: corporate Manager for EcoLab and competitor Chemtron, as well as his own company that provided services for the food and restaurant industry. An accomplished musician, Darin has performed throughout the region, both solo and in duo with local musicians Patrick Redmond and Ralph Donato; in November he'll be headlining in Germany at the memorial concert for Chris Jones. Most intriguing is Darin's passion for history: founding member of the group that fought to preserve Tudor Hall, he is steeped in local history; he's also a Civil War re-enactor and sutler, providing blacksmithing for other re-enactors at events throughout the mid-Atlantic region. His wife, Jenny, creates authentic clothing for re-enactors or interpreters through her website. Tying all these diverse interests together is Darin's affection for Harford County – he's lived in Fallston since 1969, attended Fallston and Bel Air High Schools, and he shares with the Harford's Heart team a commitment to Keeping it Local.
chip emely, technology services & website development
[chip@cmtsconsulting.com]The efficiency of our website and email accounts is due to technical support from Chip, through his firm, CMTS Consulting. He and his wife Mandie launched the company in 1991, offering web development, network integration, basic programming and professional photography services to small businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region from their home office in Street. Their business shares their home with their two sons, Cameron and Max. Chip and Mandie also provide internet marketing services, and have recently applied their organizational skills to management of sports events, such as the Chick-fil-A®/Mike Stanovic Regional Soccer Tournament. Chip's first-hand management experience, along with his considerable technical skills, enables him to find solutions for technical support that work best for other small business owners.
dee murphy, advertising sales
[dee@harfordsheart.com]As a stay-at-home mom, Dee was able to lend her support to school, church and community groups, spearheading various fundraisers, and actively participating in coordination of events. This involvement with community groups and events, furthered Dee's knowledge and affection for Harford County. Her organizational skills were developed in her years as a production manager and account representative for several national and world-wide known magazines. In addition to her background in publishing, and her impressive volunteer credentials, Dee has a creativity that she expresses in free-lance interior design consultation, and a unique ability to stay calm and focused while juggling multiple responsibilities.
julie noble, staff writer
[jbnoble1@verizon.net]Julie's roots in Harford County stretch back to when a young army officer from Montana met a pretty clerk at Edgewood Arsenal. The young couple married and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where our staff writer was raised. Summers were spent in Harford County, where Julie's mother's family has lived for generations. Memories of those summer visits, as well as the family connections, drew Julie back to Harford County on her retirement. In between, Julie was an actor and teacher, a trainer of guide dogs and therapy dogs, and a writer, living in New York, Chicago, Paris, Tacoma, and, now, Jarrettsville. Insights gained from her travels and wide experience give her a unique perspective on the community and character of Harford County. Like many on our team, Julie owns two dogs: Louie, a mixed-breed male with the enthusiasm of a puppy; and Petunia, a black lab, with a mellow temperament befitting her training as a former Guide Dog.
catherine owsianiecki, advertising sales & staff writer
[catherine@harfordsheart.com]Catherine's passions for cooking, pets, fashion, craft and writing combine with her experience in independent sales and business consultation. As a free-lance writer with features appearing in publications such as Threads, Sew News, Feline Wellness, Antique Trader, Clavier and more, she has honed her research and creative writing skills to inform, entertain and inspire. Her blog, A Seamaiden's Dream, combines many of her interests, which include discovering and celebrating all things local in Harford County, her home for the last 16 years. A true romantic at heart, Catherine reunited with her childhood sweetheart via the internet (yes, it really does happen!) and they are now engaged.
denise sawyers, advertising sales
[denise@harfordsheart.com]In common with many members of our team, Denise has volunteered extensively with her children's scouting, church and school groups, while juggling the responsibilities of work and home. Her involvement with Women of the Moose has helped raise funds for a range of community services. She is Guest Services Manager for Deer Creek Overlook, the 4-H facility in northern Harford County, coordinating events at the pavilions and lodge, as well as developing the annual Bridal Fair. Denise has the ability to identify a need in the community and create a means to meet that need. As a sales executive for Chesapeake Publishing, she was recognized repeatedly as "salesperson of the month." She lives in Street, with husband David and their three children, as well as Shelby, their yellow lab.
amy smith, online calendar coordinator
[amy@harfordsheart.com]The attention to detail required for the production of our calendar of events – both online and in the bimonthly magazine – is matched by resourcefulness in researching and screening the many entries that we receive from community groups, individuals and businesses. Fortunately, as our "Calendar Girl", Amy brings a natural level of organization that she heightened in her years of administrative work at Towson University's Advancement Division and Foundation Offices. Like many of our staff, Amy is a "transplant" who quickly became a fan of Harford County after moving here from Parkville. "You feel like you're out in the country, but you're close to everything – which makes it easy to Keep it Local!" In addition to volunteering at school for her three sons and being involved with their sports activities, Amy participates in many community events. She's always interested in finding more events to include in our calendar, which is updated online every week.
debbie moore ulmer, advertising sales
[debbie@harfordsheart.com]Another life-long Harford County resident, Debbie has watched the changes in the county and retains her enthusiasm for the people, businesses and local events that make up the hometown character. After graduation from North Harford High School, Debbie earned her degree at Villa Julie (now Stevenson University) and worked for many years as Purchasing Manager for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. As a stay-at-home mom, Debbie has volunteered at her childrens' schools, and at her church, Highland Presbyterian, where she serves as a Deacon. Her commitment to the community has included substitute teaching, providing personal care and supervisor for the 2010 Census. Debbie's fundamental good humor and her knowledge of the quality of life that is Harford County are valuable assets to Harford's Heart's mission to support local businesses and inform our readers of all that makes Harford County a great place to live, work and play.