Banner publisher to retire in January

Stephen Crass

Stephen Crass, longtime editor and publisher of the Cleveland (Tenn.) Daily Banner, has announced his retirement, which is set for January 2017.

"I can think of no more special place to work than the Banner," he said. "The employees are dedicated in what they do and take pride in the newspaper they produce. It has truly been an honor to have been the publisher and work with this staff."

Crass has served as publisher of the Banner since April 2000.

Only three daily newspaper publishers in Tennessee have served in their current posts longer than Crass.

His 16 years in Cleveland follow 10 years in the same position in Monett, Mo. Overall, his newspaper career spans 40 years at seven different newspapers in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri.

The last 36 years have been with the Walls family, owners of the Banner, and four of their newspaper properties.

"Being able to serve as a publisher for (the late) Lee Walls Sr., for many years was a true privilege," he said. "He was a leader and innovator in the field of community newspapers. He was always there for advice, assistance and a guiding hand. His love for Cleveland and the Banner was always evident, and a driving force in how he wanted his newspapers managed. That sense of pride, along with ownership, was passed on to his successor, Lee Walls Jr."

During his career, Crass has worked in every newspaper department, beginning as a staff writer following college. He was the editor of a daily newspaper at the age of 24 and became the publisher of a weekly paper at 25.

Raised in Harriman, Crass is a graduate of Roane State Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Middle Tennessee State University. He also attended graduate school at MTSU and the University of Tennessee.

He succeeded the late Pledger "Goldie" Wattenbarger as publisher. Jointly the two men account for almost 44 years at the helm of the 162-year-old Banner.

During his time at the Banner, the newspaper has seen numerous enhancements to its infrastructure. Computers went through multiple upgrades and the production system was changed to the newest direct-to-plate technology, eliminating the use of all film and dramatically reducing prepress times.

The advertising department became the first in the company to utilize complete computerization to provide additional time for sales personnel.

Color capacity of the Banner presses was doubled and additional mechanical changes made to enhance quality and capability.

As new media have evolved, he directed the change to a new provider and more modern website, which was recently named the best website in the state for a newspaper of this size. The site has become much of a template for the rest of the company newspapers to follow suit.

Staffing at the Banner increased over the past 16 years and the newspaper, unlike the vast majority of other papers, has not reduced the number of personnel, a fact of which Crass said he is most proud.

Believing a cornerstone of community journalism is the newspaper and the publisher being contributors to the communities they serve, he has personally been involved with numerous organizations and events. He served four years on the Cleveland-Bradley Chamber of Commerce board of directors, including two as a vice chairman.

He served two years as honorary chairman of the Great Strides Walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is a charter member of the Benjamin Cleveland Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He served multiple terms on the Cleveland Kiwanis Club board of directors and holds a life membership from Kiwanis International. He is a recipient of the Kiwanis Tablet of Honor and is a Diamond Level George Hixson Fellow.

Crass is a member of the board of directors of Cleveland 100 and a past member of the board for Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region. Having been active in the United Way of Bradley County, he served as chairman of the board, campaign co-chairman and was a longtime member of the executive committee.

He is also a recipient of the William F. Johnson Community Service Award.

Early on, he was involved in the 10th Judicial District adult and juvenile drug courts, and has been associated with numerous other local organizations.

Professionally, his accomplishments include recognition by multiple state and regional press associations as well as The Associated Press.

Crass said he has no firm plans for retirement, but added his wife Deborah's "honey-do" list has grown rather extensive over the years.

A successor as publisher will be named soon.