Sherry Matthews – General Manager/Advertising Director
About Sherry Matthews:
Sherry Matthews has been publisher and sales director of The Sampson Independent since 2016. The Clinton native and graduate of Clinton High School joined the Independent 31 years ago, quickly being promoted to editor and maintaining that position until 2016, when she was given the publisher title. A journalist since 1984, she is the recipient of four N.C. Press Association Awards, including first place honors for Editorial Writing and General News Reporting. She has also won numerous North Carolina School Bell awards for her education coverage in Sampson County. She is a member of the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club and the Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation and a current deacon and past deacon chairwoman at her church, Warsaw Baptist. She is a past recipient of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Member of the Year Award and a former Rotarian of the Year. Ms. Matthews has a deep love for her community and believes in the power of journalism to grow a community and tell its many stories. Her screenplay based on a 1984 murder in Sampson County was made into the movie Tarnished Notes, which was filmed in its entirety in Sampson County.
Dylan Atwood – Content Writer
About Dylan Atwood:
Dylan Atwood was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and grew up in the suburbs outside of St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Mt. Olive, NC, when he was 10. The first time he wrote content was for his middle school newspaper, where he covered the cafeteria and library. He had a lot of fun writing those pieces, but wouldn’t really start writing for fun again until his early 30s. In the meantime, Dylan fully dived into theatre and performance art, as well as photography. He felt called to start writing again, if only just for himself and a few others. He remembered how much joy he could feel in putting words together and telling stories that entertained himself and others, and maybe even inspired others. When a freelance writing job opened up, it felt to Dylan “like getting paid to breathe,” and when he landed a full-time job as a content writer, it felt like a dream. He loves what he gets to do so much. He also loves to read, watch movies, and meditate out in nature.
Anthony Goodman – Editor
About Anthony Goodman:
Anthony Goodman is a resident of Sampson County, who grew up here and has lived here most of his life. He attended Midway district schools for many years, served as a substitute teacher for Sampson County Schools, and coached for Hobbton. He has a deep sense of pride in his community, from the top to the bottom, from Hobbton to Harrells, Midway to Mintz. Anthony started as a Content Writer for The Sampson Independent in March 2025, and was promoted to Sports Editor in October and promoted to Editor in late May of 2026. He is a proud husband and father of five.
Trevon McGlone – Content Writer
About Trevon McGlone:
Hendry Jones – Advertising Sales Representative
About Hendry Jones:
Brenda McCullen – Classified Director
About Brenda McCullen:
Brenda Rogerson McCullen is a graduate of Midway High School and Hardbarger Business College. She was married to the late Ronnie McCullen and has three precious children. She has worked at The Sampson Independent for more than 30 years, in the Classified Department, including line and display ads, as well as legals.
Kim Bell – Circulation Director
About Kim Bell:
Kim Bell of Mount Olive has been the Circulation Director for The Sampson Independent since August 2018. She has two daughters, Courtney and Shannon, and has been with the love of her life, Tony, for 18 years. She loves animals, family and dancing.
Mary Royal – Assistant Circulation Manager
About Mary Royal:
Mary Royal has been working with The Sampson Independent since December 2017. She started as a carrier. Over the years, positions have been created for her, and she is now the Assistant Circulation Manager. A retiree from Walmart, she said, “This job gives me something to do after retirement. I love what I do and I love and enjoy the people I work with. Looking forward to many more years with them.”
