This is the team that makes American Digger® happen!
Publisher and native Georgian Butch Holcombe has nearly 50 years’ experience as a relic hunter and metal detectorist. He has written numerous metal detecting articles and has published several books documenting the adventures of digging for history. Learn more about the Publisher
Executive Director and North Carolina native Anita Holcombe discovered the world of metal detecting and digging for history when she met Butch in 2000. As with most who try their hand at recovering lost history, she became hooked on the hobby immediately.
Senior Editor Debbie Schiffer-Blades is a Georgia native now living in the Missouri Ozarks. She has been detecting since 1978. Debbie is a published writer and has had numerous articles, book reviews, and columns published in various magazines and newspapers as well as two short stories in mystery anthologies. She is also the secretary for Laclede County Treasure Trackers in Lebanon, Missouri and enjoys detecting and relic hunting every chance she gets.
Assistant Photographer Will Adams is the co-founder of RelicRecord.com, an online archiving tool for hobbyists and collectors of all stripes. He is also an avid relic hunter.
Copy Editor Eric Garland has spent more than 30 years in pursuit of history, both as a Civil War relic hunter and collector. He is also involved with fossil collecting with his wife and son.
Copy Editor Bill Baab started collecting antique bottles in 1969, and has published several books on the subject. A journalist by trade, he is a feature writer and columnist for the Augusta Chronicle.
Consultants: Dennis Cox, Bill Dancy, William Leigh III, Pam Lynch, Jack Melton, Mike O’Donnell, Mike Singer, Pete Schichtel, Bob Spratley, Dean Thomas, Don Troiani, John Velke, Riley Bryan
Columnists: Mark Schuessler, News-N-Views. Mark is president of The Federation of Metal Detecting and Archaeological Clubs. Peter Schichtel, Talking Points. With a background in archaeology and a robust passion for Indian artifacts, Pete has acquired a lifetime of knowledge of the stone tool culture of North America.