About Us
Robert Berlin
Editor/Publisher
My journey in the news business started back in 1987 at the Knoxville News Sentinel while I was still a student at Heritage High School. From there, I continued through UT’s Journalism program, working as a reporter and photojournalist for The Daily Beacon. Those early experiences set the stage for an adventurous career that’s taken me from the Pacific islands to Central America, Alaska, Montana, Missouri back to Tennessee — working as a photojournalist, reporter, editor, and publisher in both military and civilian settings.
After all these years, one thing has remained clear to me: newspapers matter. Our community is stronger when people have access to accurate, verified information — and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.
At Blount County Business News, our promise is simple. We’ll work hard to serve this community we love. We’ll chase down the facts, double-check them, and present them honestly — so you can form your own opinions based on truth, not noise. We’ll go deeper than anyone else to tell the stories that shape our local economy and daily lives.
We may be a young publication, but our commitment runs deep. Thank you for joining us on this mission to keep Blount County informed, connected, and growing.
Mathäus Schwarzen
Reporter
As a three-time Tennessee Press Association honoree, I’ve spent years reporting on Blount County with a focus on clear facts, steady sourcing and the stories that shape everyday life. I’m equally at home with a notebook or a camera, and I try to bring the same straightforward approach to every assignment.
I spent my childhood in the Seattle area and started in journalism in 2019, writing for my college paper in Dayton, Tennessee, where I covered the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students. Since then, I've covered several beats in the Blount County area, writing about first responders, courts, businesses and governments at The Daily Times.
I've covered developing stories like the 2024 hunt for Deputy Greg McCowan's killer as well as deep looks at the local justice system and even little-known medical issues affecting families right here in Blount County.
I see journalism as a public service. I ask precise questions, verify the record and make complex issues understandable. At Blount County Business News, my goal is to provide timely, useful coverage -- informing you on the businesses and community institutions that keep this county moving.
The Business News You Need
The News You Trust
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