She’s still learning the particulars after only one month on thejob, but five years in Brookhaven have taught her everything sheneeds to know about the city she’s covering.

The DAILY LEADER’s new Lifestyles editor couldn’t fit into herrole any better – she’s got the experience, the connections and theright understanding of what it takes to manage the heartier side ofnews on the Homeseekers Paradise. A wife, mother, writer, realtor,and marketer all rolled into one, Brumfield has what it takes inthe heart and in the head to bring readers the community news theyneed.

“I’ve enjoyed writing, and the lifestyles-type writing is what Ienjoy most,” said Rachel, 40. “When I heard the position was openat The DAILY LEADER, I thought, ‘This may be something interestingI need to do.'”

Brumfield was born in sunny Orlando, Fla., but got the rightMississippi raising in Hattiesburg. Her professional life wasshaped at Mississippi State University, where she majored inhistory and pre-law, but traded law for love in 1993 when shemarried Cliff Brumfield, now the executive vice president of theBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

The Brumfields went to Washington, D.C., almost immediatelyafter their honeymoon, where Cliff worked on the staff of PresidentBill Clinton’s secretary of agriculture, Mike Espy, and Rachelbegan working with a lobbying firm.

The Brumfields came home to Greenwood in 1994 when Cliff washired as the executive director of the Greenwood Leflore IndustrialBoard. It was here that Rachel got her first experience in thejournalism world, working in advertising for the GreenwoodCommonwealth.

In 1998, the first of the Brumfields’ two daughters – DeLeslyn,12, and in 2002, August, 7 – was born.

The family moved to McComb when Cliff was transferred as a loanofficer with State Bank and Rachel became a realtor. In 2005, Clifftook his position with the chamber of commerce and the Brumfieldsrelocated to Brookhaven.

Since arriving in town, Rachel has become an active member ofthe community, working with the Junior Auxiliary and worshipping atFirst Baptist Church.

“My husband sells Brookhaven. When I was a realtor, I soldBrookhaven. We love this town,” Rachel said. “I hope the people whodon’t know me will get to know me through my column. I’m rightwhere I want to be in my life.”