Randy Fiveash, Interim President and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is a born leader. This is evident by the number of high-powered positions he has held within the tourism industry over the past 40 years.

Hailing from Macon, Georgia, Fiveash is a graduate of Mercer University where he majored in political science with a double minor in history and psychology. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. Fiveash and his wife, Shari, have five children who live across the United States.

His first position in the tourism industry was in Myrtle Beach. Fiveash went on to serve as executive director of the National Tourism Foundation and served in CEO positions with the Convention and Visitor Bureaus in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Arlington, Texas, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri. He was responsible for handling an annual multi-million-dollar budget as part of his job as Connecticut’s Tourism Director where he served for 13 years. Before his stint in Connecticut, Fiveash was Commissioner of Tourism for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In Kentucky, he led a successful, research-based “Kentucky Unbridled Spirit” state-branding effort, with legislative, citizen and industry support and involvement.

In addition to his many executive director and CEO positions, Fiveash was a delegate to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism and has served in numerous leadership positions.

These include the boards of Destinations International, National Tourism Foundation and the Mississippi River Development Association, Travel South USA, Discover New England, South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri Convention and Visitor Bureau Associations, the Southwest Tourism Society and more.

“I am fortunate to have been in great locations and have great experiences in all [of these] places,” Fiveash said.

He was named the Interim President and CEO of the FACVB in May. Fiveash’s wife, Shari, took a job as the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Fayetteville. The FACVB contacted Fiveash and asked if he would come and help.

He will serve as the Interim President and CEO of the FACVB for an undetermined timeframe.

“I will stay as long as they need me to and get the job done,” Fiveash said.

FACVB’s goal is to help FACVB represent Fayetteville and Cumberland County as the strategic marketing arm of the community, for conventions, meetings, sporting events and leisure travel.

“The great thing about Fayetteville is its diversity in people and things, from a lifestyle [and] quality of life standpoint. We have already made friends,” Fiveash said. “Everyone is very open and extremely welcoming. People are willing to give you advice, livability is phenomenal.”

He has accomplished a lot in the seven months he has been President and CEO at FACVB.

“I have been given relatively free reign to make changes and updates,” Fiveash said. “We never really knew who our customer was so a primary objective was to figure that out.”

Using foundational tourism research and market survey, the FACVB is finding out who visits Fayetteville and who lives here. Stakeholders for the city share the demographics that make up their customers.

The research will produce helpful and competitive data and is scheduled to be completed by Jan.1.

There are some upcoming special changes to the organization.

FACVB is hiring a new advertising team and are tracking research-based marketing. There is also rebuilding beginning at FACVB from a staffing angle; they are building a team.

When able to, Fiveash is an adjunct instructor, teaching students about tourism.

“I’ve been lucky that I have lived in places I have been able to teach,” Fiveash said.