Brenda Kissko is a content marketing manager and a freelance travel writer. She has spent the majority of her professional career traveling the country and marketing Texas destinations. Brenda has served on the board of directors for the Texas Travel Alliance, Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Texas Pecos Trail Region. In 2010, she received the Texas Travel Alliance’s Rising Star Award. A West Texas native, she has lived in West Virginia and is currently based in Arizona. No matter where the road takes her, she’s always planning her next trip back to the Lone Star State. Visit her online at BrendaKissko.com.

Capturing the amazing stories of the people and places across the Lone Star State requires decades of exploring. As managing editor and associate publisher of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, Charles Lohrmann experienced astounding natural wonders, from canoeing in Deep East Texas to trekking into the remote canyonlands west of Del Rio to view Archaic rock art. From TPWD, Lohrmann moved to Texas Highways, the award-winning Official Travel Magazine of Texas, where he was editor and publisher, and directed coverage of destinations in every corner of Texas. As editor of Texas Co-op Power magazine, he guided content development— including travel, history and culture—for the largest circulation publication in the state, reaching more than 3.5 million readers.

A magazine editor for 15 years, Madeline Hollern has worked for Austin Monthly since 2011. The executive editor has lived in all the major metropolitan areas of Texas and has written extensively about Lone Star travel, covering everything from the beaches of Galveston and barbecue joints in Fort Worth to unique spa treatments at nationally lauded resorts in Central Texas. Madeline holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jessica Serna is the creative mind and founder of MyCurlyAdventures, a Texas-based travel brand that inspires people to find magic in the everyday and encourages people to live a travel lifestyle even with a 9-5 through looking for local getaways. She takes readers on adventures throughout her state and beyond with her husband and showcases how sometimes you “travel the world” without having to travel far. Their goal is that everyone can live a travel lifestyle no matter their situation. Whether it’s finding unique experiences in your own city, exploring the best weekend getaways, or planning that two-week vacation—they’re here to help you make the most of every day!

Austin-based musician/producer JaRon Marshall has worked with Texas acts, such as BLK ODDYSSY, Adrian Quesada, and Black Pumas, who he has played keyboards on tour with since 2019.