Tressa Bush

Chestnut Mound, Tennessee

Tressa Bush is a journalist, storyteller, and community advocate dedicated to preserving history and engaging the public. As the founder of the Smith County Historical Tourism Society (SCHTS), she combines her love for storytelling with historical preservation, creating immersive experiences that highlight Tennessee’s role in World War II U.S. Army field training exercises. Before founding SCHTS, Tressa worked in broadcasting and media production at Wilson County Television (WCTV), where she produced, wrote, and edited original programming while managing social media platforms to reach a broader audience.

Her career in tourism development grew through her role at the Wilson County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, where she promoted the county’s attractions and managed media tours. Tressa’s leadership in SCHTS draws on her experience in public relations, event planning, and community engagement, allowing her to preserve and share Smith County’s heritage. As the owner of Misspelled Productions and Media, she produced and edited video content, capturing stories across multiple platforms.

Tressa’s journalistic career includes feature writing for the Carthage Courier, where she earned two Tennessee State Press Awards, and work on WNPT-TV 8’s Tennessee Crossroads. Her stories ranked among the most viewed on YouTube, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences. She has also worked as a freelance reporter for major Nashville stations, covering a variety of news topics.

Education

• Middle Tennessee State University – B.S. in Mass Communications (Broadcast Journalism), Minor in Psychology & Sociology
• Cumberland University – Associate of Science

Professional Experience

• Smith County Historical Tourism Society | Carthage, TN | 2020 – Present
• Misspelled Productions and Media
• Carthage Courier | Carthage, TN
• Wilson County Television (WCTV) | Lebanon, TN
• Wilson County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau | Lebanon, TN
• WSMV-TV, FOX 17, and WTVF-TV | Nashville, TN

Awards and Recognitions 

• Two Tennessee State Press Awards (Carthage Courier)
• Tennessee Crossroads: Four stories ranked in the Top 26 Most Viewed