He grew up reading The Highlander. His photo graced the pages more than once as he attended Highlands School, went trick-or-treating on Main Street, and played sports at the rec center. He’s a fifth-generation member of the Bryson family on the Plateau. Highlands has always been home to him even when his address was farther south. Taking the helm of The Highlander as publisher and editor seems like a natural fit.
“I am thrilled to join The Highlander, my hometown newspaper,” said Josh Bryson. “Local news plays an essential role in keeping us connected and informed, and I am excited to join this team. We live in a very special place, and I am looking forward to sharing the stories of our remarkable community.”
Bryson began writing a new chapter in his career at The Highlander this week following a three-year stint as the director of marketing and communications with the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation.
“Working with the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation was a truly rewarding experience,” said Bryson. “I cherished the opportunity to share the impactful stories of how the Health Foundation makes a difference in our community.”
A graduate of Chowan University with a degree focusing on sports, management and marketing, Bryson began his career at the Southern Conference then at the College of Charleston as the director of operations. During that time, he was involved in day-to-day event management, facilities management and multimedia production.
In 2016 he moved to Tallahassee to serve as the director of event management for Florida State University. But home was calling and in 2019 he moved home to Highlands where he worked with his family-owned business Bryson Enterprises prior to joining the Health Foundation.
Josh and his wife Carrie have two daughters, Madalynne who is a senior at LSU and Emmie who attends Highlands School. Having grown up in Highlands he’s well known in the community. He is slated to serve as the 2026-27 president of the Rotary Club of Highlands. He’s an avid cheerleader for Emmie who plays on the Highlands middle school volleyball team. And last Friday evening he was wandering the halls of Highlands School at the annual Fall Festival.
“Josh is a great fit for The Highlander,” said Rachel Hoskins, regional publisher of the Franklin Region of Community Newspapers Inc. “Our primary goal was to find a leader for our team who not only understands the community as it is today but also understands its history. Josh has roots here. He knows what the community looked like 30 years ago. He understands its draw to visitors and seasonal residents. And he knows first-hand why natives don’t want to leave. Telling those stories – the ones where the past meets the present – is something he’s looking forward to.”
- Staff Reports
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