Hasty joins Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corp.
Kim Hasty has been named communications director for the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corp.
The hiring allows Maarja Hightower to move into the position of marketing director, the organization said in a release.
“I’m proud to join a team that has exhibited proven success in fostering a sense of pride and unity in our community,” Hasty said. “I am grateful to have had the privilege of sharing the good stories of our community for many years, and I look forward to continuing to tell those stories in this exciting new capacity.”
Hasty graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982. She worked for many years with The Fayetteville Observer in the sports department, as a lifestyle columnist and as editor of Sunday Life magazine. She served as director of University Relations at Methodist University and as editor of CityView Magazine.
Hightower joined FCEDC in July 2021 as director of communications. She has more than 18 years of experience spearheading communications and marketing initiatives for national and global organizations, the release said. She has a Bachelor of Science in contemporary media and journalism from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Business Administration in leadership and organizational theory from the University of South Florida.
Fayetteville State taps veteran lawman as new police chief
Fayetteville State University has named Roberto E. Bryan Jr. as its new police chief.
Bryan begins his new job as associate vice chancellor for police and public safety effective June 7. Bryan has spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, including time as a military police officer in the Army, FSU said in a release.
He succeeds former Chief Renarde Earl, who retired in December.
“Roberto Bryan brings a rare combination of local, national, global and military law enforcement service and experience to our university police department that make him an exceptional leader who can step into this role immediately,” Chancellor Darrell T. Allison said in the release. “His robust relationships in our communities will help us strengthen and elevate the work we are able to accomplish on and off campus.’’
Bryan’s career includes time with the Durham police department, 22 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration and time with the Fayetteville Police Department, the release said.
"I am honored to become the new associate vice chancellor for police and public safety /chief of police for Fayetteville State University,” Bryan said. “I am looking forward to the collaboration with the students, faculty and staff in maintaining a safe and secure environment for this institution of higher education both now and in the future.”
Fountain named vice chancellor for External Affairs and Military Relations
Fayetteville State University has named Wesley Fountain vice chancellor for external affairs and military relations.
Fountain will serve as a liaison and the contact between the university and community agencies and organizations in the Sandhills region, FSU said in a release. Fountain will manage the day-to-day operations for the External Affairs and Military Relations department.
Chancellor Darrell T. Allison praised Fountain’s contributions to the university over the years.
“In light of recent and historic fortunes for this university, this new division’s responsibilities have grown exponentially and has caused me to refocus and provide the necessary resources needed to invest in additional personnel toward FSU’s overall expansion,” Allison said.
Fountain replaces Wendell Phillips, who will now be responsible for leading FSU’s state and federal relations department, the university said. Phillips is a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Phillips will work with key state and federal stakeholders, the release said.
Phillips previously served as chief of staff at North Carolina Central University.
Arts Council relaunches websites
The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County has relaunched its websites as part of a digital restructuring plan to strengthen and monetize communication and branding efforts for the agency, a release said.
The Arts Council’s Marketing Department has completed the redesign of TheArtsCouncil.com and WeAreTheARTS.com websites. The redesigned websites merge arts education, cultural interests, capacity-building opportunities, and the business of arts and culture into a centralized platform that provides visitors a streamlined link to “all things arts and culture” in the community, the agency said in the release.
“Arts and culture are vital to the growth of our community through education, tourism and economic development,” said Bob Pinson, the Arts Council’s interim president and CEO. “Our digital expansion now tells the story of the Arts Council’s work so that communities will know who we are, what we do, and our involvement with local art programs, projects and events.”
Pesticide collection day set for May 31
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in cooperation with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension, has scheduled a Pesticide Collection Day for residents of Cumberland and surrounding counties on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southern Gin and Grain, 121 South C St., Fayetteville.
Nearly all pesticides will be accepted. People who have liquid pesticide containers larger than 5 gallons or unlabeled pesticides should contact Cooperative Extension at 910-321-6862 before bringing the pesticide to the collection event.
No gas cylinders will be accepted.
For more information, contact Liz Joseph at 910-321-6862 or liz_joseph@ncsu.edu.
