In December, RET. COL. DONALD L. PORTER was sworn in for a four-year term on the PWC Board. He will serve as Secretary for the Board for the 2021-2022 year.
Porter replaces Darsweil Rogers in his role, who previously served on the PWC Board for eight years, ending in the fall of last year.
Porter resides in Fayetteville now, but he is a native of Norfolk County, Virginia. A graduate of Norfolk State University, he served in the military for 30 years, serving as Chief of Staff (Forward) of the Joint Logistics Support Command during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and, before returning in 1999, he served at Fort Bragg as Assistant Chief of Staff, G4. He then commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps Material Management Center.
After his service, Porter was the executive director of the Raeford/ Hoke County Economic Development Commission for over 20 years. He has served on a plethora of boards throughout the Fayetteville/Cumberland community, as well, such as the Cape Fear Valley Health Board of Trustees, the BB&T Advisory Board, the Cumberland Community Foundation Board, and the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Board. He was also the chairman of the Fayetteville State University Board of Trustees from 2013-2015.
Last year in April, Porter was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve on the state Judicial Standards Commission as a citizen member. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Cape Fear Chapter 100 Black Men of America and Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
