United Way announces new Executive Director

United Way of Cumberland County is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Embry as its new Executive Director. Scott Embry brings to the organization a wealth of expertise and a robust track record of leadership in sales and marketing, qualities that are invaluable as we strive to enhance our community impact.
Embry's previous leadership roles, including Director of Advertising at the Fayetteville Observer, have equipped him with a deep understanding of strategic partnership development, team building, and, most importantly, a passion for community service. This passion and his strategic acumen will be crucial as they forge ahead with the goals of improving education, financial stability, and health within our community.
"As the new Executive Director of the United Way of Cumberland County, I am honored and excited to serve this incredible community. I look forward to building on the impactful work of my predecessors and working together to create a brighter future for all," said Embry.
As Embry is welcomed into this pivotal role, United Way of Cumberland County is enthusiastic about the fresh perspectives he brings and his unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. His dedication to the values and proven leadership abilities make him an exceptional leader for the organization as they continue addressing the most pressing challenges facing our community.
Please join in welcoming Scott Embry to his new role. He is eager to connect with the community and can be reached at scottembry@unitedway-cc.org or 910-483-1179 x 222. (Photo:Scott Embry is United Way of Cumberland County's new Executive Directory. Photo courtesy of United Way of Cumberland County)

 New leadership to lead PWC’s Customer Division

Carolyn Justice-Hinson has been named the new Chief Customer Officer for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Justice-Hinson will be leading the Customer Division, which includes Customer Service, Billing and Collections, Customer Programs, Development & Marketing, and Metering Services. She began her duties as the Chief Customer Officer in the beginning of April.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the Customer Division,” said Justice-Hinson, Chief Customer Officer for PWC. “During my time at PWC, the needs of our customers have always come first. Working in the Customer Division, I look forward to the opportunity to have a more direct impact in helping our customers and leading a high-performing customer service team.”
Justice-Hinson joined PWC in 1997 when she established PWC’s first Public Information Office. In 2012, she joined PWC’s executive team as one of PWC’s first female executive officers when she was named the Communications/Community Relations Officer. Justice-Hinson is a past Chair of the American Public Power Association’s Public Communication Section, Past Chair of the Methodist University Board of Visitors, and the Cumberland County Air Quality Stakeholders. She currently serves on the United Way of Cumberland County’s Board of Directors and Development Committee, is a member of the Women’s Giving Circle, and is President-Elect for the Rotary Club of Fayetteville.
“When I joined PWC last year, I quickly noticed Carolyn Justice-Hinson’s passion for serving our customers and our community,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “She embodies all of PWC’s Core Values of Appreciating and Respecting People, Being Safe, Commitment to Excellence and Doing What’s Right. She is the obvious leader for the Customer Division and their important responsibility of serving our customers.”
PWC’s Customer Division is responsible for serving more than 122,000 electric, water, and wastewater customers with 75% of customers having two or more PWC services. Last year, PWC’s customer service had 495,136 customer contacts and averaged answering more than 32,000 calls a month. The Customer Division generated 1.4 million bills last year. (Photo: Carolyn Justice-Hinson is taking over as Chief Customer Officer for PWC. Photo courtesy of PWC)

Crown Event Center Committee receives 100% design update

 The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Crown Event Center Committee received a presentation Monday from the Project Delivery Team that included updated renderings of what the new facility’s exterior will look like, as well as renderings of the building’s interior spaces.
The presentation follows the completion of the 100% Design Development package, which will allow for the Project Delivery Team to obtain updated pricing and move into the development of construction documents prior to permitting and the start of construction.
Bill Koonz, Regional Director with project architect EwingCole, shared updated images of the Crown Event Center, which will be constructed in downtown Fayetteville in front of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse and will replace the existing Crown Theatre and Arena. The presentation included updated renderings of the building exterior from multiple directions, with both daylight and night views. Interior renderings included images from multiple angles of the lobby during both day and night, the multipurpose room and adjacent pre-function area, VIP spaces including an outdoor rooftop terrace, and views from different levels within the three-story main event hall.
Koonz also shared that the Project Delivery Team has worked to keep the design within the Board of Commissioners’ approved project budget of $144.5 million and that the project is still on pace for completion in early 2027. He said the current plan is to break ground on the new facility, including sitework and demolition, in September followed by an early structural package.
Koonz indicated the Project Delivery Team will return to the Committee in mid-June to present the design development cost model, the approval of which will allow the project to continue moving forward with development of construction documents.
In addition to receiving the 100% Design Development update, the Committee also approved the Proposed Prequalification Process for all Tier 1 Subcontractors for the new facility. The process will allow for the evaluation of potential bidders on the project, assuring they have the experience and capacity needed to participate, and is conducted in accordance with State statute and County policy. Following the Committee’s approval, the item was presented during the Board of Commissioners’ May 20, 2024 Regular Meeting where it was approved unanimously.
The Crown Event Center Committee is comprised of Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, who chairs the Committee, Board Chairman Glenn Adams and Commissioner Jeannette Council, along with Cumberland County Civic Center Commission Chairman McBryde Grannis, who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Project Delivery Team is made up of County staff, and staff from the County’s owner’s representative MBP Carolinas, project architect EwingCole, construction manager at risk TA Loving/Metcon and Crown Complex Manager OakViewGroup.
For more information on the Crown Event Center project, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter.  (Photo: This rendition shows what the outside of the new Crown Center in downtown Fayetteville is going to look like. Rendering courtesy of The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Crown Event Center Committee)