The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has announced new leadership and a promotion within their team. 

Simone Johnson, who has served on the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival’s Board of Directors since October 2024, will officially step into the role of chief operating officer this July.

With a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology from Wingate University and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law (where she also served as President of the Student Bar Association), Johnson’s leadership is backed by experience, education and a true servant’s heart.

Prior to joining the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, she worked in operations and escalations management.

“Simone has been an incredible part of our organization, always showing up with compassion, dedication, and a level of detail that makes the magic behind the scenes possible. She’s been a steady hand, a fresh perspective, and someone who truly understands the heart of Dogwood,” shared the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in a Facebook post congratulating Johnson on the role. 

Additionally, Jackie Tuckey has been voted in as the newest chairperson on the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Board. 

“Jackie has been a devoted friend of the festival for over 20 years and a true champion for Fayetteville. After proudly serving the City of Fayetteville for more than three decades, she tried retirement, but anyone who knows Jackie knows she doesn’t sit still for long. Her heart for service and her passion for this community continue to shine, and we are beyond grateful that she chooses to gift her time and leadership to us,” shared Festival staff in a post on Facebook.