Meet the Team

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Becky Jane Newbold

Publisher

Becky Jane Newbold thrives on new experiences and is always on the lookout for new stories to tell. Whether she is riding her motorcycle, photographing wildlife attracted to her garden, creating original works of art or enjoying home-cooked meals with her family, Becky Jane’s passion is staying current with fresh, innovative ideas. Raised in the newspaper industry, she is committed to truth in media.

 

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Shane Newbold

Managing Editor

Father to four and best friend to Becky Jane for 27 years, Shane Newbold lives life to the fullest birdwatching, fishing, boating and enjoying his family.  

 

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Cody Crawford

Director of Digital Innovation

Cody Crawford is working on her Master’s degree in Computer Science from Middle Tennessee State University and is Director of Digital Innovation at Validity Publishing

 

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Bill Pulliam

Contributing Writer

Bill Pulliam got started in birdwatching by his junior high science teacher in 1974, and has been an avid birder ever since in 48 U.S. states and 7 foreign countries.  He is currently the Tennessee editor for eBird, an online project that compiles millions of observations from tens of thousands of birders around the world.

 

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Cassandra Warner

Contributing Writer & Photographer

Originally from Texas, Cassandra Warner is a transplant to the garden of Tennessee.  Gardening has been one of her passions for forty years.  “Gardening connects you to the miracle of life and provides healthy exercise and stress relief.  Mine has been a learn as you grow school, and I plan to always ‘Keep it Growing’.”

 

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Charles Newbold

Contributing Writer

Charles Elliott Newbold Jr. has served as pastor, teacher and author calling forth Christians to live the laid-down life for Jesus Christ.  He and his wife, Nancy McDonald Newbold, live in Knoxville, Tennessee where Charles continues his writing.  Visit his website for more information.  

 

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Cynthia Rohrbach

Contributing Writer

Cynthia Rohrbach is a biologist with a 20-year career as a science teacher, followed by a 12-year position as an environmental specialist with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.  She is a founding board member and former president of Swan Conservation Trust.  

 

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DeeGee Lester

Contributing Writer

A 1968 graduate of Lewis County High School, DeeGee Lester serves as Director of Education at the Parthenon.  Her articles have been published in children’s magazines and journals.  She is author of three books and has co-authored a two-volume pictorial history of Sumner County.  

 

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Katie Taylor

Contributing Writer & Photographer

A Spanish translator by day, Katie Hayes Taylor is an avid runner who finds creativity in the kitchen relaxing.  Her passion is finding new recipes that are outside the box, fresh and seasonally grown.

 

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Landis Turner

Contributing Writer

Landis Turner is a graduate of the University of the South-Sewanee and Vanderbilt University School of Law.  He is a former president of the Tennessee Bar Association.  

 

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Manuel Lagos Jr.

Contributing Writer & Videographer

Manny is the director, writer, editor and sometimes actor for most of the videos on Brain-pan Media.

 

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Rene Lance

Contributing Writer

Rene Lance is Executive Director of South Central Tennessee Tourism Association.  

 

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Tony Turnbow

Contributing Writer

Tony Turnbow serves as Executive Director of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association.