Meet The Owners

Clarissa Reaves-Williams and Herbert Williams
Co-Founders / Owners

Clarissa Reaves-Williams and Herbert Williams are the co-founders of Highlands Insider (HI), a faith-informed, community-rooted newspaper and multimedia platform serving the communities of Putnam, Jackson, Overton, and White Counties in Tennessee. Built on a foundation of traditional hometown values, celebration of local heritage, and bold, modern storytelling, Highlands Insider delivers "news reimagined"—through print, video, podcasting, and real-time digital engagement.

The couple are also the co-founders of Hometown Digital Marketing Agency (HDMA), a full-service firm that empowers small businesses and local organizations through advanced digital strategies, website design, targeted advertising, SEO, and more. Their work has helped businesses throughout the region grow and compete on a larger scale with proven results.

In addition, they co-own and operate ShineCast Studio, a full-scale video and podcast production hub located in Coookeville TN, that powers their growing media network, livestreams, interviews, and branded video content. ShineCast serves as the creative engine behind multiple projects, including Shine Messengers and Cookeville Now and soon to launch Red, Write & Blue.

As owners of Reaves & Williams Publishing Group, (RWPG) Clarissa and Herbert oversee dozens of community newspapers across Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Their publishing group combines a heritage of trusted journalism with cutting-edge tools to serve today’s audience with excellence and consistency.

RWPG is a family-owned and operated business, the Williamses have built a legacy of faith, service, and innovation. Their children, Bethany and Cameron, play key roles in the organization—Bethany as a branding strategist and Cameron as the group’s Chief Technology Officer—making Highlands Insider a true multi-generational effort committed to serving and celebrating local communities.

Clarissa Reaves-Williams, CEO of Reaves & Williams Publishing Group, is a recognized journalist, executive publisher, and multi-award-winning media strategist. With more than 35 years of experience leading newspapers, she has guided multiple publications to General Excellence awards and has been a featured speaker for the News/Media Alliance, National Newspaper Association, 360 Media Alliance, and state press associations across the country. Clarissa’s passion lies in community storytelling, civic involvement, and media innovation rooted in faith and service.

Through her boutique consultancy, CW Media PR & Events, Clarissa provides high-level strategic services to select clients nationally and internationally. Her work spans public relations campaigns, press coordination, and event strategy, as well as executive consulting for pitch decks, company sales and acquisitions, product expansion, exit strategies, brand redesigns, pricing behavior, polling, and group research. Her clients have been featured in more than 800 media outlets—including AP News, Yahoo! Finance, Fox affiliates, CBS Radio, KTLA, and CNBC—with a combined potential audience reach of over 215 million. Clarissa’s ability to align storytelling with business outcomes makes her a go-to advisor for mission-driven leaders and organizations navigating growth and visibility.

Herbert Williams,

COO/CRO of Reaves & Williams Publishing Group, is a Google-certified digital strategist and the operational force behind the group’s digital expansion. At Hometown Digital Marketing Agency, he leads the team in delivering strategic advertising, SEO, analytics, and multi-platform marketing solutions for businesses of all sizes. Herbert is also a co-host and technical producer for multiple faith-based and community-focused podcasts and video series created through ShineCast Studio.

In addition to his leadership roles across the publishing and digital landscape, Herbert brings a powerful blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and visionary insight to every client engagement. He specializes in operational scalability, digital infrastructure, audience analytics, and marketing strategy—working hands-on with organizations to streamline systems, optimize ad performance, and build data-driven campaigns. With multiple Google certifications and a background that bridges both creative production and high-level execution, Herbert is at the forefront of SEO innovation, precision targeting, and omni-channel media strategy. Whether launching a media brand, engineering digital growth, or executing a national campaign, Herbert ensures every initiative runs efficiently, performs strategically, and delivers exceptional results.

Together, Clarissa and Herbert are also behind several values-driven media brands:

Cookeville Now – A hyperlocal news and lifestyle outlet that showcases uplifting stories, livestreams, and the Thumbs Up Award, honoring individuals who make a positive impact in the region.
Soon Launching Shine Magazine – A national Christian lifestyle publication produced alongside their ministry, Shine Messengers, featuring inspiring interviews, devotionals, family-focused features, and the annual Lightbearer Award honoring faith-led community changemakers.
Highlands Insider – Their flagship regional print and digital newspaper focused on watchdog journalism, hometown news, conservative values, and community celebration. Highlands Insider is home to the new Besties Awards, a “Readers’ Choice: Best of the Best” feature recognizing outstanding local businesses, leaders, and neighbors.
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Through their platforms, the Williamses are dedicated to giving back and bringing people together. They will continue to roll out community engagement opportunities throughout the year—from town hall events and public service campaigns to volunteer drives, student involvement, and reader-nominated features.

Clarissa Reaves-Williams and Herbert Williams remain united in their mission to inform, inspire, investigate and uplift every community they serve. Their work reflects a steadfast commitment to truth, excellence, innovation, and shining a light - news reimagined.

Highlands Insider is a conservative newspaper rooted in traditional American values—faith, family, freedom, and community. We created this platform in response to neighbors and business owners who felt unheard and unrepresented by the current media landscape—where calls for 'neutrality' too often sidelined stories grounded in faith, personal liberty, and common-sense values. Two years ago, members of the community approached us about launching something different. At the time, it wasn’t the right season—but now, we feel called to step in and provide a trusted alternative.

We believe in telling the truth without political distortion and honoring the voices of everyday citizens. We do not publish content that conflicts with our mission or promotes ideologies inconsistent with faith, family, and freedom. Our editorial stance is unapologetically conservative, and our mission is clear: to promote thoughtful perspectives and report the news with honesty, clarity, and respect.

Highlands Insider doesn’t cater to trends—we stand for timeless principles, open conversation, and a place where readers can feel informed, inspired, and proud to Be An Insider without compromising their beliefs. Together, Highlands Insider and Cookeville Now offer a multimedia approach that informs, entertains, and uplifts—guided in the values of faith, positivity, and genuine connection.