Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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10 UCW DECEMBER 15-21, 2021 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Randy Fiveash, Interim President and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Con- vention and Visitors Bureau, is a born leader. is 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 execu- tive director of the National Tour- ism 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 Tour- ism 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 leg- islative, 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 leader- ship positions. ese include the boards of Destina- tions International, National Tourism Foundation and the Mississippi River Development Association, Travel South USA, Discover New England, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mis- souri 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 Presi- dent and CEO of the FACVB in May. After Fiveash's wife, Shari, took a job as the CEO of the Chamber of Com- merce in Fayetteville. e FACVB con- tacted Fiveash and asked if he would come and help. He will serve as the Interim Presi- dent 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 rep- resent Fayetteville and Cumberland County as the strategic marketing arm of the community, for conventions, meet- ings, sporting events and leisure travel. "e 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 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 cus- tomer was so a primary objective was to figure that out." Using foundational tourism re- search 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. e research will produce helpful and competitive data and is scheduled to be completed by Jan. 1. ere are some upcoming special changes to the organization. FACVB is hiring and are tracking research-based marketing. ere is also rebuilding beginning at FACVB from a staffing angle; they are building a team. In addition to serving the communi- ty through the jobs he has held, when able to, Fiveash is an adjunct instruc- tor, teaching students about tourism. "I've been lucky that I have lived in places I have been able to teach," Fiveash said. Fiveash builds Fayetteville tourism via research by ELAINA J. MARTIN ELAINA J. MARTIN, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. "Blessings are cyclical; they will always come back in a cycle," says 22-year-old Victor "Vic Blends" Fontanez. Fontanez recently amassed 10 mil- lion followers on Tik-Tok's video plat- form and sat with mogul Nick Cannon for an in-depth interview. During this interview, Fontanez discussed his motivation for inspiring millions with videos during which he cuts random strangers' hair while get- ting to know them. In his interview with Cannon, Vic Blends wore a blue Fayetteville State University hoodie as an ode to his hometown, Fayetteville. e South View High School graduate believes the community is the foundation that built his career. "We all have big dreams, hoping to be globally known for what we do, but that starts with first being a pillar in your community," Fontanez said. Last year, Fontanez, along with e Two-Six project, founded by 24-year- old Morehouse College graduate Grant Bennett, provided free cloth- ing, toys, food and haircuts to more than 1000 families in the greater Fayetteville area with their annual Christmas Giveback. For Fontanez, the giveback furthers the notion that his purpose is far greater than haircuts. He is grateful for the amazing career and abundance of opportunity but feels it is worthless if it is not used to make an impact. Christmas Giveback returns this year at Segra Stadium, home of the Houston Astros affiliate, Fayetteville Woodpeckers, on Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Giveback will provide free haircuts, toys, cloth- ing, food and entertainment for the community. In addition, there will be resources to assist with rent and utili- ties, baby needs and free cell phone service. "I want to show kids you can do great things, regardless of your oc- cupation," says Fontanez. So, this year, he has partnered with another Fayetteville native, Grammy- nominated musical recording artist Morray. In an Instagram caption, Morray writes: "I love giving back to my peo- ple ... I remember when I didn't have it, and I never want anyone to feel like that so we going up y'all!! 2-6." He never forgets where he came from. Before anksgiving, Morray was spotted filming a music video in the same apartments where he shot the video for his megahit "Quicksand" with a crowd from his hometown. Back in August, Morray partnered with Cora's Community Foundation to host Everybody's Family Reunion and NZone Social Venue. ey dis- tributed over 800 bookbags before the start of the school year. rough collaborative efforts with community partners like Cora's Com- munity Foundation; Empact One Foundation; Serenity's Grace; and Lifeline Assistance Group, Fontanez and Bennett plan to expand on the impact of the Christmas Giveback event. is year's event is sponsored by Adidas, Nike, Jordan Brand and Yellow Crayons, to name a few. Entertainment for the entire family will include music by D.J. Ricoveli, face painting by Falcon Focus, and a number of surprises. For those that want to donate to Christmas Giveback, drop-off loca- tions will be set up at the Cool Spring Downtown District's office at 222 Hay Street and Rude Awakening Coffee House at 227 Hay Street. Follow @ vicblends, @twosixproject, @djri- coveli, and @undergroundkeem on Instagram for more information. Salute to everyone involved with the Christmas Giveback and every ac- tivist getting active. Peace. Left: A f lyer for the Christmas Giveback event at Segra Stadium on Dec. 23. Middle: Victor "Vic Blends" Fontanez, a Fayetteville Native, recently amassed 10 million Tik-Tok followers. He is a co-founder of the Chrismas Giveback event. Right: Grant Bennett, heads the Two-Six Project and co-founded the Christmas Givesback event with Victor "Vic Blends" Fontanez in 2020. EVENTS Christmas with Kings by RAKEEM 'KEEM' JONES Randy Fiveash FEATURE RAKEEM "KEEM" JONES, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.