Well, in case LinkedIn failed to inform you I have now been at the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal for three years. 

When I think about the growth I’ve seen, the rooms I’ve been in and the people I’ve met, I am extremely grateful and blessed to be in this position.

Not a lot of people know this but I actually grew up in Fayetteville, I went to John Griffin Middle School where I got my first journalism gig writing for The Griffin Gazette. If anyone from Cumberland County Schools is reading, I’d actually love to know if those files still exist nearly 20 years later. I graduated from Jack Britt High School in 2013 and remember when there was nothing to do in Fayetteville. (That’s right, I remember when there wasn’t a single 7 Brew in this city.) 

Now, not only has the city grown and expanded, but I’ve been able to shake hands with the people responsible and share those stories of growth and improvement with the community. 

Being able to grow and expand the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal has been a tremendous effort not only from me, but from our staff as well. Our Assistant Editor Stephanie “Eagle Eyes” Meador has been right there with me, navigating ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and people dodging our calls and emails (you know who you are).

Our newest hire Elizabeth “Ellie” Rhoades is our new special projects and events manager and in the short time she’s been with us, she’s already revamped our social media, ordered us a ton of new merchandise (that you’ll be able to see at our upcoming Power Breakfast on Sept. 16, make sure to get your ticket at fayettevillepowerbreakfast.com) and is working on expanding our event offerings to areas outside of Cumberland County. 

And of course my Publisher Marty Cayton has been there the whole time. He saw something in each of us and brought us all together to run his publication. He’s provided guidance and information about Fayetteville’s vibrant business scene and I can’t thank him enough for hiring me when I was facing a sea of uncertainty in my career projection. 

I hope you enjoy this issue. I was able to speak with the fantastic Hinkamp family about their 70th anniversary (coincidentally on Aug. 1), Cape Fear Valley Health and Fayetteville State University announced a $900,000 partnership for the incoming Health and Wellness Center and Miller-Motte College of Fayetteville has seen distinct growth in their students and programming. Keep reading to learn more.

Happy reading!