The Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission on Thursday voted to reinstate tourism bureau CEO Ryan Hauck after he was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 5.
Hauck, 38, was hired by the commission to run Experience Fayetteville, replacing Molly Rawn after she was elected mayor. The commission said in a news release that Hauck was reinstated, effective immediately, after an investigation into complaints he had made inappropriate comments.
“The commission takes all concerns seriously, and our responsibility is to ensure that Experience Fayetteville operates with professionalism, accountability, and respect for everyone we serve,” the organization said in the release. “We are confident that, moving forward, Ryan Hauck will lead the organization in a manner consistent with our values and expectations.”
Elvis Moya, chair of the commission, told Arkansas Business that there’s now a plan to “support Mr. Hauck’s continued professional development and reinforce alignment with organizational expectations.” The plan includes ongoing oversight.
“He acknowledged the comments he made and recognized that they were perceived as inappropriate,” Moya said. “He expressed a commitment to rebuilding trust, improving communication, and leading in a manner that reflects the standard of the commission.”
Moya continued: “The Commission has made clear that expectations are exceptionally high, and any future credible concerns will be subject to immediate and thorough review.”
Hauck started July 21, but several employees soon filed complaints against him. The complaints accused Hauck of using the term “pow wow” despite objections, making sexist remarks about women’s roles in families, and calling the Church of Latter-day Saints a “cult,” the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
The seven-member commission voted 6-0 to suspend Hauck.
In the meantime, the commission’s third-party human resources vendor, My HR Pros, started an investigation.
Hauck came to Fayetteville after four years as executive director of the Park County Travel Council, which operates as Cody Yellowstone and is a tourism bureau in Wyoming abutting Yellowstone National Park.
Hauck said in a statement Friday, “I’m excited to rejoin the Experience Fayetteville organization. I appreciate the transparency of the investigation process, and I am ready to move forward in partnership with the A&P Commission to promote this amazing destination.”
Sign up for Daily E-news
