REAVES & WILLIAMS ACQUIRES THE CURRENT, LEWIS COUNTY PRESS NEWSPAPERS
Reaves & Williams Publishing Group (RWPG), headquartered in Cookeville, Tenn. has announced the acquisition of Lewis County Press (LCP), the previous owner of The Current newspaper in Fulton.
Reaffirming their commitment to community journalism, Herbert Williams, co-owner, stated, upon acquiring the newspapers, "The newspaper, whether in print or online, is the soul of the community."
Clarissa Reaves-Williams, co-owner, who previously served as CEO of Lewis County Press, added, "I deeply appreciate our incredible team at The Current and all of our newspapers, and am committed to fostering an environment of honest, transparent journalism. In an era when credible information is more critical than ever, we strive to grow our audience and serve our readers with quality community content sourced from trusted and dependable sources."
"We understand that our community needs us, and we need them too — whether as the living history
textbook, or in promoting our local businesses, we are here for our readers, advertisers, and team," she added.
A Family-Run Business with Deep Roots
Clarissa Reaves-Williams, a seasoned media professional with over 35 years of experience, has
built a reputation for excellence. Herbert Williams, her husband and business partner, has nearly
30 years of business experience. Originally from Williamsburg, KY, and Hyden, KY,
respectively, Clarissa and Herbert met as college sweethearts at Union Commonwealth
University in Barbourville, KY. Herbert was the first in his family to graduate college. Clarissa
was a journalism/psychology major with a minor in business, and Herbert was a psychology
major with a minor in sociology.
Their journey has taken them across several states, living in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois,
Delaware, and Florida. They currently own newspapers and businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky,
Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, as well as various websites and podcasts. Clarissa's
father, Anthony Reaves, was her first exposure to the printing industry as he worked as a
pressman and is now retired and enjoying being a pastor of Red Bird Baptist Church. Her
mother, Dr. Carolyn Reaves, is a published author of "Who's the Girl in the Mirror." Clarissa and
Herbert believe in a strong work ethic, taking a stand for those who can't, and always relying on
faith in God. Both of their families taught them that no matter what your background, you can
achieve your dreams with hard work and perseverance.
Clarissa attributes her success to her wonderful team, her husband, great kids, and gives all the
credit to her Lord and Savior, giving Jesus all the honor, glory, and praise.
Dynamic Leadership and Team Integration
Their son, Cameron, serves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), enhancing the group's
technological capabilities. Cameron states, "I am excited to bring innovative technology
solutions to the group and look forward to exploring ways to integrate gaming with journalism."
Their daughter, Bethany, an accomplished marketing strategist and owner of Coffee Fueled
Marketing, will be the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Bethany comments, "I am thrilled to
leverage my experience in brand strategy and influencer marketing to help our clients succeed in
a competitive market through creative and innovative solutions."
Greg McNutt, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), brings a wealth of financial expertise from his
company, Small Biz CFO Solutions. Greg states, "Joining RWPG presents a fantastic
opportunity to apply my expertise. Clarissa and Herbert encouraged me to start my own business,
and I know we will make a great team."
Combining Forces with Hometown Digital Marketing Agency
The integration of Hometown Digital Marketing Agency, with over 9 years of experience, allows
the group to offer comprehensive advertising solutions. Herbert Williams states, "Digital
marketing and print media work together perfectly to provide a comprehensive solution for our
clients. Hometown Digital Marketing Agency is a leader in the digital arena, and this merger
enables us to offer cutting-edge advanced digital marketing solutions alongside traditional print
marketing. Their blend of boutique style with in-depth strategy and unique value propositions
helps them position businesses and brands above the rest."
Commitment to Community and Accountability
Clarissa and Herbert Williams believe that the most important parts of a newspaper are mirroring
the community it serves, being a watchdog for the readers, and holding the government
accountable, regardless of party affiliation. Both have long tenures in community involvement.
They also own Shine Messengers, a Christian-based company and Cookeville Now, which
includes a YouTube channel and podcast dedicated to uplifting content and community stories.
RWPG: A New Era
The group of newspapers includes:
The Current, Fulton, Kentucky and South Fulton, Tennessee
The Coalfield Progress, Virginia
The Dickenson Star, Virginia
The Post, Virginia
Marlow Review, Oklahoma
Blackwell Journal Tribune, Oklahoma
DeWitt Era Enterprise, Arkansas
Press News Journal, Missouri
Monroe County Appeal, Missouri
Ralls County Herald Enterprise, Missouri
Lamar Democrat, Missouri
This acquisition reinforces RWPG’s belief in community journalism as the heartbeat of America.
Clarissa Williams encourages community journalism newspapers to reach out if they are thinking
about selling their newspaper, especially if they are looking for a company that values integrity
and celebrates community. Former partners Robert Moulton Ely and Phil Calian commend the
Williams family for their hard work and determination. Robert Moulton Ely states, "We always
knew Clarissa would be the perfect successor to lead the company forward. Good luck and best
wishes to Clarissa and Herbert. We hope to read about a media empire built around saved
community newspapers. Phil Calian adds, "The Williams family exemplifies dedication and
vision, ready to embrace the challenges ahead." Patrick Schless, former LCP Partner and CEO of Community Journalism Project (Workbench), expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition: "As the former CTO of the newspaper group, I am thrilled to see this come to fruition. The Williams family has a deep commitment to
community journalism, and their innovative vision will undoubtedly drive the success of the
newspapers and digital platforms."
Innovative Solutions and Future Growth
Reaves & Williams Publishing Group (RWPG) is committed to combining traditional print
media with cutting-edge digital strategies to remain at the forefront of the industry, helping
businesses achieve their goals through innovative marketing strategies. Their dedication to
preserving the integrity of local news while embracing new technologies sets a strong foundation
for future growth.
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