Experience Fayetteville’s Interim CEO Jennifer Walker Discusses Future Leadership

Jennifer Walker (Provided)

Don’t bet on Jennifer Walker being the next full-time CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism bureau.

Walker took over as interim CEO in January after Molly Rawn was elected mayor of Fayetteville. Rawn had served as Experience Fayetteville CEO since 2016.

Walker, the organization’s vice president of finance, was happy to take the job on purely and only an interim basis. Walker, who lives an hour outside of Fayetteville, believes the new CEO should be a part of the city’s community.

“Not at all,” Walker said of potential interest in being CEO. “I was the vice president of finance, and I love that job. I love this job, I love this organization, but I think it is imperative that the leader be integrated in the community. That’s not something I can commit to.”

Walker joined Experience Fayetteville in 2021 and said everything is running smoothly since Rawn assumed her mayoral duties. She said the city’s Advertising & Promotion Commission, which oversees Experience Fayetteville, hopes to have a new CEO by April.

“Molly’s still right across the street, and she is available and willing to assist me if anything ever comes up,” Walker said.

“She’s been a real help to me a couple of times, just giving me good advice on ‘here’s how I would handle that situation.’

“It’s been nice to have her exit on good terms and with plenty of notice and still supporting the organization from her new role as well.”