Meet Our Insiders
AARON JOHNSTON
Born and raised in Alabama, Aaron Johnston has been a themed-entertainment enthusiast for as long as he can remember. That enthusiasm has led to a lifetime of studying theme park industry… Read More!
BUDDY CLAY
Born on the East Coast, Buddy lived his first 25 years of life in Long Island, New York. He went to a small private school growing up where he excelled in sports and eventually went on to play college… Read More!
BUTCH BENNETT
Butch Bennett is married and a father of three (two girls and a boy) and a grandfather of five (four boys and one girl). He was born and raised in Florida, and that’s where his love of theme parks… Read More!
DAWN THORNBURG
Dawn Thornburg was born and raised in the Greensboro, North Carolina area. She’s been an avid theme park enthusiast for years and especially loves sharing her park experiences… Read More!
ERIC CALDER
Eric Calder started shooting photography when he was in high school and fell in love with the art. After 11 years in the wedding photography business, he began searching for something more… Read More!
HEATHER MONTGOMERY
Heather Montgomery was born and raised in the New Orleans area and now resides in Mississippi with her husband Bobby and 7-year-old daughter, Emma Kate. She is a travel blogger at… Read More!
JEREMY DANIELS
Jeremy Daniels was born, raised and still resides in Morristown, Tennessee. Jeremy currently works for a local genetics laboratory, where he is focused on improving both company processes and… Read More!
JESSICA SHAFER
Jessica Shafer is a West Tennessee native who fell in love with East Tennessee while attending college and law school. She now lives in Knoxville with her husband, their five children and their… Read More!
JORDAN MORGAN
Born and raised in the Florida Panhandle but slowly learning to “bleed orange,” Jordan resides in the foothills of the Smokies just a few miles from Dollywood with her high school… Read More!
JOSHUA HODGE
Joshua Hodge is a teacher, writer and adventure-seeker from Danville, Kentucky. When he is not teaching children Spanish, penning his next book or adventuring through a national park, he… Read More!
KATIE SMITH
Katie Smith has been a lifelong fan of Dolly Parton and a Dollywood Season Passholder since she was 4 years old. Born and raised in Vincent, Alabama, the now-resident of Birmingham recalls… Read More!
KELSEY GODFREY
Kelsey Godfrey was born and raised in Townsend, Tennessee and currently resides there in a cozy mountain cabin that she documents on Instagram (@cabinonchristylane). She spends her… Read More!
LINDSAY BELL
Lindsay Bell was born in Illinois but moved to East Tennessee in 1986 just months before Dollywood opened for the first time. Lindsay finished her K-12 education in Knoxville and then… Read More!
LOUIS DAVIDSON
Louis Davidson is a computer programmer by trade, working as a data architect for the past 25 years, and has been a Microsoft MVP for 17 years. As a professional hobby, Louis writes books and… Read More!
MEREDITH JONES
A North Carolina native, Meredith Jones was born in Raleigh and has lived in the Boone area since 1997, when she came to Appalachian State as a student. She serves as a district administrator for… Read More!
RACHEL DEANGELIS
A North Carolina native, Meredith Jones was born in Raleigh and has lived in the Boone area since 1997, when she came to Appalachian State as a student. She serves as a district administrator for… Read More!
RYAN FLOYD
Ryan Floyd was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. While in Florida, he enjoyed his career as a Firefighter/Paramedic and going on adventures with his family during his time off. After… Read More!
TAMARA ANDRÉA
Tamara Andréa moved from New York to beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina 14 years ago where she and her husband, both professional actors, are raising their blended family. Tamara has a passion for… Read More!
TIARRA PATTEN
Tiarra Patten was born and raised in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, just 15 miles north of Nashville. She is married to JP and is a stay-at-home mom to their two children, Juliette and Jesse. When she’s not… Read More!
TISHA HANNUM
Tisha Hannum is an East Tennessee native, where she resides with her daughter, mother and dog. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and giving back to the community by being part… Read More!
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