Deadwood Magazine - Meet the Posse

WHO WE ARE

T.D. Griffith, Publisher
tom@tdgcommunications.com
Tom Griffith attended the University of London before he was graduated from the University of Wisconsin. He worked as a reporter, photographer, and managing editor of award-winning newspapers in Arizona, Montana and South Dakota before serving as director of communications for the Mount Rushmore Preservation Fund, a nationwide campaign that raised $25 million to preserve and improve the mountain memorial.

In addition to writing articles for dozens of newspapers and magazines, Tom is the author of five books, including America's Shrine of Democracy with a foreword by President Ronald Reagan, South Dakota, a comprehensive guide to the state published and distributed worldwide by Random House, and Greeno: A Winning Tradition with a foreword by NBC's Tom Brokaw. Griffith's travel writing, news articles and features have appeared in The New York Times, Wisconsin State Journal, Billings Gazette, Bismarck Tribune and The New Zealand Herald, among others, as well as a host of periodicals including AAA Living, Historic Traveler, Midwest Living, Home & Away, Country Inns, Hadassah, and Western Horseman.

He has been a contributing writer to Random House for more than a decade, co-authoring three dozen volumes, including Fodor's USA, Healthy Escapes, Great American Vacations, The Old West, The Lewis & Clark Trail, and National Parks of the West. Tom and his wife, Nyla, who have visited 40 countries together, make their home in the Black Hills of South Dakota where they operate an advertising, marketing and public relations firm with clients nationwide. In their spare time, they enjoy trout fishing, motorcycling and travel.

Nyla Griffith, Associate Publisher
nyla@tdgcommunications.com
A graduate of Southeast Area Technical School in Sioux Falls, Nyla Griffith began her career working for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. She started her first business in Mitchell creating freelance commercial art from her home while raising two children. After moving to Rapid City, Nyla joined the Rapid City Journal as a layout artist but soon moved to an advertising sales position. Five years later, she accepted a position at Franklin & Associates, an advertising and marketing firm in Rapid City, where she soon became Vice President. She eventually left to open her own clothing store in Deadwood and work as the marketing director for a Deadwood hotel. In 1998 she joined her husband, Tom, at TDG Communications, which they quickly grew into the largest full-service advertising and marketing firm in western South Dakota.

Sharon Kolchev, Advertising Director
Sharon sharon@tdgcommunications.com
A West Coast native, Sharon Kolchev was born in Los Angeles, raised in San Francisco, and attended the College of San Mateo and Western Career College, both in California. Prior to moving to Lead, S.D. with her 12-year-old daughter Larisa in January 2006, Kolchev managed her own internet marketing firm in Las Vegas, Nev. for four years, concentrating on major national contracting firms. She has received numerous national awards for her sales successes on behalf of several clients. Sharon now serves as Deadwood Magazine's advertising director.

Dustin D. Floyd, Executive Editor
Dustin Floyd dustin@tdgcommunications.com
Dustin Floyd is a fifth-generation South Dakotan who studied at Oxford University before graduating from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in English and public relations. Upon graduation, he went to work for TDG Communications, where he has been a copywriter and media relations specialist, developing partnerships and coordinating for organizations such as the United Kingdom's Sky One television network, London's News of the World and the Travel Channel. A member of the Western Writers of America, he also is the co-author of a 364-page travel guide to the Black Hills and Badlands region.

Monte Amende, Art & Design Director
monte@tdgcommunications.com
Born and raised in the Northern Black Hills, Monte Amende received a degree in mass communications from the University of South Dakota in 1993 and went on to work for marketing and design firms throughout the state. He has been designing and administering Web sites for the past ten years. Monte is responsible for much of the agency's success in the digital arena, and oversees and directs the agency's growing team of graphic artists.

TDG Communications, Inc.
93 Sherman Street • Deadwood, South Dakota 57732
605.722.7111 • FAX: 605.722.7112