Erik Trump, Ph.D.
Dr. Erik Trump is an author and professor of political science at Saginaw Valley State University and the current chair of the political science department. Dr. Trump oversees the department’s internships program and placements. He is the co-author of two books, The Politics of Zoos: Exotic Animals And Their Protectors and Political Animals: Public Art In American Zoos And Aquariums. Dr. Trump earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his Ph.D. at Boston University.

Dennis G. Lennox II
Dennis Lennox is a free-lance journalist and political consultant, specializing in state and international politics . He is currently a Republican candidate for State Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 105th district. Lennox formerly served as president of Young Americans for Freedom at Central Michigan University - where he is studying political science and journalism.

Bryan W. Thumme
Bryan W. Thumme is the president and chief executive officer of Midland Hockey, an organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of hockey in Midland. Previously, Thumme served three years as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Thumme rose to prominence as a player in the Midland Inline Hockey League, becoming the first and only player in league history to win back-to-back scoring titles. He is an avid Saginaw Spirit fan and a season ticket holder.

Aaron Crossen
A founding partner, Aaron Crossen is the president and chief executive officer of Crossen & Co. and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, including The Tridge, where he serves as Executive Editor.

Crossen is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Valley Vanguard, the award-winning student newspaper at Saginaw Valley State University. Crossen was appointed Editor in February of 2007 in an interim capacity, and was subsequently permanently hired. The Valley Vanguard has served the nearly 10,000 students of Saginaw Valley State University with campus and local news since 1966. The weekly newspaper has a circulation of approximately 2,500.

In 2006, The Valley Vanguard won the Division II General Excellence award from the Michigan Press Association.

Crossen graduated in 2008 from Saginaw Valley State University with B.A.s in history and communications.

P. Thomas O'Hara, Jr.
P. Thomas O'Hara Jr. is Managing Editor of The Tridge. Previously, O'Hara worked at the office of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. In December of 2007 through March 2008 O'Hara served as City Editor of The Valley Vanguard covering campus police activity and local politics in areas of Saginaw and Kochville Township. O'Hara graduated cum laude from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in political science in 2008.

A.J. Hoffman
A.J. Hoffman is a popular singer-songwriter from Midland, Michigan. He is the former frontman of The Cartunes, the punk/rock band known for smashing instruments and shocking behavior. The Cartunes remain the only band in the area to be banned from local music hotbed White’s Bar – twice. In 2007, The Cartunes released their seventh studio album “Get Off Me Cancer”. Hoffman is currently working on a solo project dubbed Eight Armed Killer and plays shows throughout Mid-Michigan. He holds a B.A. in journalism from Central Michigan University.

Melissa Seitz, M.A.
Melissa Seitz is a professor of creative writing at Saginaw Valley State University. Her husband and son are an inspiration to her. Her dog Woody hangs out with her while she writes and plays electric guitar, but refuses to run with her. Her poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction have been published in the Bear River Review, Cardinalis, Cardinal Sins, 43 Negative 83, Paradidomi, The Tridge, This is SVSU, The Weathervane: A Journal of Great Lakes Writing, and the forthcoming Greenhouse: The First 5 Years of the Rustbelt Roethke Writers’ Workshop. Seitz was the Faculty Advisor for SVSU's literary magazine, Cardinal Sins, for seven years.

She holds an M.A. from Michigan State University and a B.A. from Saginaw Valley State University, both in creative writing.