Meet Our Team

With a career spanning multiple industries, DONYA HOWARD is the proud founder of several successful ventures that combine her love for travel, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.

She runs Around Cass County Digital Magazine, a publication dedicated to sharing local news, events, and stories that keep the community connected. In addition, she is the creative force behind Freedom on Wheels, a vanlife digital magazine that highlights the joys and challenges of life on the road. As an experienced long-haul truck driver, Donya understands the value of independence and resilience—qualities she brings to all of her endeavors.

Beyond publishing, Donya is a dedicated educator and advocate for wellness. As a Young Living essential oils expert, she helps individuals embrace a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle through natural remedies. She also shares her business expertise through coaching and mentorship, guiding others on how to create multiple streams of income and achieve financial security. Donya is also the host of Around Cass County Coffee Break, a podcast that blends personal growth, entrepreneurial insights, and inspiring community stories.

Whether she’s on the road, behind a microphone, or engaging with her audience online, she is passionate about helping others break free from limitations and design a life of freedom and fulfillment. A natural storyteller, Donya has authored The Diary of a Female Truck Driver, offering a raw and insightful look into life on the open road. Her journey has inspired countless women to embrace new opportunities and live boldly. Through her work, she continues to build a community of like-minded individuals who value freedom, adventure, and personal growth.

Born in Atlanta, Texas, KATE STOW is the daughter of James Stow and the late Jean Stow Cotten and sister to Harold Stow. She is the proud mother of Jeff Sullivan (AHS Class of 2003 & Baylor University 2007), who lives in Plano, TX, with his wife, Katie, and their children, Ari and Jarek. Her son, Casey Sullivan (YCP 2007, LANG Veteran, Iraqi Freedom), lives in Atlanta with his wife, Courtney, and their children, Jemma and Jaci.

Kate’s passion for journalism began early, influenced by her mother, Jean, a reporter and editor for The Citizens Journal in the 1970s. She honed her skills working at the Journal and KALT/KPYN Radio. After high school, she attended Texarkana College while working full-time at the Journal, later becoming Managing Editor of The Challenger in Texarkana and editor of The Twin City Citizen.

Her career expanded into advertising sales, newspaper editing, and broadcast journalism, including co-hosting Coffee and Comments on KAQC-TV for seven years. She also worked in graphic design at Bob’s Printing and launched her own freelance business, Kate’s Kreations. From 1994 to 2008, she published The Texas Carrier, a 24-page newsletter for the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association.

Kate spent 13 years in Louisiana, working as a bid specialist and designer for CONCO Food Services, managing $11 million in annual sales. Afterward, she became a marketing director and supply manager before returning to Texas in 2017. She has since written for The Texarkana Gazette, HER Magazine, The Cass County Journal-Sun, Crossroads Magazine and BUDDY Magazine, covering Texas music.

Currently, she serves as president of the Atlanta Area Rotary and Woman’s Clubs, sits on the Cass County Historical Commission, and led the 2022 Sesquicentennial Committee. She enjoys music, photography, and her grandchildren, balancing faith with a love for The Walking Dead and Jeremy Renner.

RICK SMITH was born amongst a mixture of pine and hardwood forests in Minden, Louisiana, a small town several miles north of Bayou Dorcheat. He graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in nursing. He attended the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock for graduate studies. Much of his nursing career has been administrative with quality and risk management being his career path. He currently works for the State of Texas, regulating behavioral health hospitals.  

Rick and Ms. Ellie, a native Houstonian, are parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. They moved to Cass County, building their second “forever” home, on a hill far away, north of Linden. They then built a small cabin in the midst of a cluster of trees and undergrowth and marketed it as a bed and breakfast, calling it “The View from the Hill.” The business was quite successful considering the fact that its location did not make it a destination vacation spot, at least from the perspective of local folks. But the quiet solitude, star-gazing opportunities, and gourmet breakfasts soon garnered a following and most weekends were booked by city folks wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle and noise of the big city.  

They still love the quality of life offered by the Upper East Side of Texas. Ms. Ellie is involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson, where they live in their third “forever” home. She has developed relationships with surrounding Chambers while Rick shares his southern humor with weekly readers of the Jefferson Jimplecute.

Michelle Warren has been a proud resident of Cass County for nearly 50 years and currently works as an Executive Assistant in Texarkana. Beyond her professional career, Michelle has a deep passion for making a house feel like a home. She has an incredible talent for creating warm, inviting spaces where family and friends feel welcome. Whether she’s preparing a home-cooked meal, decorating with thoughtful details, or adding seasonal touches that bring comfort and joy, Michelle has a natural gift for turning ordinary spaces into havens of love and hospitality.

She enjoys cooking, reading and watching mysteries, and embracing the little things that make life cozy and meaningful. She is married to Jeff, a recently retired Federal Law Officer who now enjoys spending his spare time at Flint’s Furniture Store. Together, they have built a life filled with love, family, and tradition. Michelle is the proud mother of Justin, a Territory Manager for BWI in Texarkana, and Jackson, a Project Engineer for Sabastian Construction Group in Dallas. Her family has grown to include two wonderful daughters-in-law, Kaci, a Sales and Marketing Manager at Flint’s, and Hannah, a dedicated registered nurse.

Perhaps her favorite role of all is being “Grammie” to her two cherished grandchildren, Kinsley and Judson. Michelle lives in Atlanta and is an active member of First Baptist Church, the Amity Study Club, and the Cass County Chapter of the Texas A&M Mothers’ Club. Through her love of home, family, and community, she continues to make a lasting impact on those around her, ensuring that both her house and her heart are always open

TANYA PHILLIPS is the founder of Reinvent Yourself, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting health, happiness, and holistic well-being through comprehensive wellness education. Her mission is to empower individuals—especially veterans and those facing significant life challenges—with the tools and knowledge to make informed, positive choices that enhance their quality of life. Tanya’s journey to founding Reinvent Yourself is deeply personal.

After returning home from Iraq with a severe back injury and enduring significant mental and physical struggles—including divorce, job loss, and financial hardship—she reached a turning point during one of the darkest times in her life. She overcame suicidal thoughts and found her purpose by becoming her state’s first Suicide Prevention Program Manager. Through this role, she helped save lives and provided vital resources to those in need. Her passion for holistic health led her to earn a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance and become a Nationally Board Certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

She now channels her experience and expertise into programs that educate on all eight areas of wellness: physical health, nutrition, emotional well-being, financial literacy, spiritual health, environmental factors, relationships, and contribution to community. Through her work with Reinvent Yourself, Tanya is committed to helping others break free from feeling stuck, discover their strengths, and reinvent their lives with hope and purpose. Her leadership and vision continue to inspire those she serves, driving the organization’s mission to make holistic health education accessible to all.

KEITH & ANITA HAMPTON are the Lead Pastors of GT Church Atlanta. Their heart and passion is to see the city of Atlanta Texas know the love of God and the sacrifice made by His beloved son, Jesus Christ. They have both been serving in ministry for over 25 years and continue to reach people with the same zeal and spirit like never before.

BRYAN LOPER is a dedicated amateur radio enthusiast based in Atlanta, Texas, with a passion for keeping communities connected, especially during emergencies. He plays an active role in the Freedom Link Group, a network of linked amateur radio repeaters that enhances communication across Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana. Through his involvement, Bryan helps ensure that vital communication remains intact, particularly during severe weather events and critical situations.

Bryan’s deep-rooted interest in amateur radio began as a way to connect with like-minded individuals while also serving a greater purpose. Over the years, he has developed extensive knowledge in repeater operations, emergency communications, and network reliability. His expertise allows him to contribute significantly to the Freedom Link Group, which provides crucial support for weather spotters, first responders, and amateur radio operators across the region.

In the Atlanta area, Bryan is actively involved in maintaining local repeaters, including the 444.900 MHz repeater, which is equipped with emergency backup power and is linked full-time to the Freedom-Link System. This repeater plays an essential role in keeping the community informed, offering a reliable means of communication in times of need.

Beyond his technical contributions, Bryan enjoys engaging with fellow amateur radio operators, participating in discussions, and sharing knowledge through the Freedom Link Group’s Facebook community. His commitment to the ham radio community extends beyond just technical expertise; he values the friendships, shared experiences, and sense of preparedness that come with being part of such a dedicated group.

Understanding that repeater availability and configurations can change, Bryan encourages operators to stay informed through official sources like the Upshur Area Amateur Radio Club’s repeater page. His goal is to continue supporting and strengthening the amateur radio network, ensuring seamless communication for both everyday operations and emergency situations.