Achievers & Accolades

Dogwood Festival selects Executive Director

By Staff Report, posted 1 year ago
Jim Long Jr. - Photo courtesy of Dogwood Festival

The Board of Directors of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival announces Jim Long Jr. as the Dogwood Festival’s Executive Director. 

Calling Fayetteville home, Long is an Army Veteran with extensive knowledge in project management, stakeholder engagement and the entertainment industry. Long most recently has been involved in race series and race track events promotion throughout the Southeast. 

“The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jim Long Jr. as our new Executive Director. Mr. Long’s proven business acumen will be an incredible asset to the stability and future of the Festival. Moreover, it is our hope that with the hiring of Mr. Long, alongside the unbelievable success of this year’s Dogwood Festival, that we will be able to build and develop a truly memorable Dogwood Festival experience for the community in 2025.” said Chairman of the Board R. Andrew Porter in a press release.  

Long is excited to hit the ground running stating in a press release: “The Dogwood Festival is a significant part of our community. Not only does the community look forward to the Festival each year, but the region looks forward to visiting Downtown Fayetteville to experience a premier event. I am honored to be selected to serve my community in such a way. I would also like to thank the past directors, board members, volunteers and marketing partners for their dedication and hard work in keeping the Dogwood Festival strong for over 40 years.”

Long’s first day as Executive Director was Oct. 1, 2024 and plans to begin community engagement initiatives immediately.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
firsthealth-of-the-carolinas sivakumar-ardhanari-md headshott

How High-Tech Heart Scans are Transforming Life-Saving Treatments

Sivakumar Ardhanari, M.D. - Medical Director of Cardiac Imaging, Firsthealth of the Carolinas
fayetteville-state-university ariel-aponte headshott

FSU’s 4th annual Military Appreciation Luncheon showcases a powerful support ecosystem

Ariel Aponte - Associate Vice Chancellor, External Affairs, Fayetteville State University
systel-business-equipment madison-howard headshott

Grow Your Business With a Partner You Can Trust

Madison Howard - Marketing Team Leader, Systel Business Equipment

In The Current Issue

Empowering Veterans: The 2026 Fayetteville Veterans Business Expo aims to close the opportunity gap

This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th


Bee-lieve the hype: Local apiarists and entrepreneurs share handmade crafts and helpful knowledge about our most important pollinators

Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle


The Hive of Hope Mills is open for business: Big T's serves as anchor tenant

Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.