Tressa Bush
Award Winning Journalist & Community Leader
Chestnut Mound, Tennessee
Tressa Bush is an award-winning journalist, media producer, and community leader in Chestnut Mound, Tennessee. With a deep passion for storytelling, historical preservation, and community engagement, she has built a career that spans broadcasting, tourism development, and event management. Her ability to create compelling content across multiple platforms has made her a respected voice in Tennessee media.
Tressa graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism.
Tressa began her journalism career as the morning anchor and general assignment reporter for WBBJ-TV 7 in Jackson, TN. She then moved south to WCBI-TV 4 in Columbus, MS, where she took on the role of weekend anchor. Her journey brought her back to Tennessee when she became a reporter and main fill-in anchor at WATE-TV 6 in Knoxville, followed by a position at WCTB-TV 5 in the Tri-Cities.
Determined to return home to Middle Tennessee, Tressa worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. Her persistence paid off, and she eventually built a presence in Nashville as a freelancer for three major stations—WTVF-TV 5, WSMV-TV 4, and FOX 17.
Beyond journalism, Tressa has made significant contributions to community development through her work in historical tourism. She founded the Smith County Historical Tourism Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the U.S. Army’s WWII field training exercises known as the Tennessee Maneuvers. Under her leadership, the organization has hosted large-scale living history events, attracting visitors nationwide. She has secured funding, recruited volunteers, and coordinated reenactments and educational programs, ensuring this vital part of history is not forgotten.
Her expertise extends into media production and public relations. At Wilson County Television, she managed content creation and produced live broadcasts. She developed original programming, including Walking Through Wilson and Talkin’ With Tatum. She also liaised between county officials and cable providers, bridging the gap between local government and the public. Her role at the Wilson County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau further expanded her impact, where she developed press releases, promotional materials, and video content to promote tourism in the region.
As the owner of Misspelled Productions and Media, Tressa has provided video production, photography, and editing services, helping businesses and organizations craft engaging content. Her ability to blend journalism, marketing, and media production has made her a sought-after professional in Tennessee.
Her writing career includes award-winning feature stories for the Carthage Courier, where she received two Tennessee State Press Awards. Her ability to find and share compelling human-interest stories has been a constant throughout her career, whether in print, on television, or through digital media.
Tressa’s impact extends beyond media and journalism. She is a skilled event planner and fundraiser, leveraging her experience to support community initiatives. Her ability to engage audiences online and in person has helped bring attention to local history, tourism, and economic development efforts.
Tressa remains deeply connected to her roots. Whether through her work in tourism, media, or storytelling, she continues highlighting the stories that matter, preserving Tennessee’s history while embracing new ways to engage and inform audiences.