Former Connecticut Tourism chief named interim director

In April, when Randy Fiveash retired after 13 years as director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, he had planned to slow down and, maybe teach a class or two on the college level — after all, he’s been working in the tourism industry for more than four decades.

It didn’t work out that way.

“I was retired for about 20 minutes,” he said.

That’s not far off.

When Randy’s wife, Shari Fiveash, accepted the position of president and chief executive officer at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, he was happy to follow her along to North Carolina.

During an interview with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in May, Shari Fayetteville said that during her husband’s various career moves she was happy to follow him and find suitable positions that fit her skills.

She said when she accepted the offer to come to Fayetteville, she and Randy found their traditional roles reversed. Little did they know at the time that now-retired Randy would find a niche of his own here in Fayetteville.

Within days of their arrival, city and county officials tapped Randy to dive back into the tourism industry, this time on the county level.

“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “This is what I’ve been doing for 40 years.”

Fiveash replaces John Meroski, who left the position in March 2020.

His official title is Interim Director, a position he said has no end date.

In his new role, Fiveash said he’s got a long list of things to review at the bureau.

“There are alot of things we need to dig into and review,” Fiveash said. “There is a great need to be more community active.”

According to a 2020 audit report made available by Cumberland County, the visitors bureau “provides services to promote the development and expansion of travel and tourism.”

Fiveash said he has received support and direction from the county — which provides the bulk of the bureau’s budget — and the bureau’s board of directions.

The 11 members on the board also direct much of the focus for the bureau.

“We are taking a real look and understanding of what the Convention and Visitors Bureau does,” Fiveash said.

He said he’s already made some subtle changes within the CVB office to help the staff operate smoother.

Additionally, he said he wanted to perform some internal audits to make sure the bureau has its focus in the right place.

“I believe in research based marketing,” Fiveash said.

The bureau is involved in many local events, but Fiveash said “If the research isn’t there, [we] shouldn’t be allowed to do it.”

He said the bureau is looking “through the lens of ‘Can you measure it?’” 

With that in mind, Fiveash said his office is looking very carefully to ensure current programs, events and contracts with vendors measure up.

Randy Fiveash has an office inside the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau just off the square in downtown Fayetteville.

From there it’s a 15 minute walk to Shari Fiveash’s office on Ray Street near Segra Stadium.

Shari Fiveash joined the chamber as it’s president and CEO in March.

While the couple works near each other, there is no doubt that their paths are going to cross professionally.

Shari Fiveash recently summed up the professional relationship saying, “The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau works to bring people to Fayetteville. It’s the chamber’s job to help businesses once they are here.”

Randy Fiveash acknowledged that while he and his new team have a lot on their to-do list, he’s confident that the bureau will remain a relevant tool for the Fayetteville area.

When asked about his dream of teaching, he said simply, “I’ll get to it.”