Toni Dixon has been named interim president and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, officials announced Tuesday.
Dixon began work in her new position in August, the chamber said in a news release.
“I am excited to be working with the chamber, focusing on our members and continuing to grow and make an impact within the community,” Dixon said in the release.
Dixon, who is 60, refers to herself as an Army brat who grew up on Fort Bragg and in Fayetteville. She is a graduate of E.E. Smith High School. She received an associate degree in secretarial science from Rutledge College and then began “working in the chamber world,’’ she said.
She has worked with the chamber in Fayetteville and in Reston, Virginia, she said.
“With her exceptional background and expertise, she is uniquely positioned to represent every stakeholder in Cumberland County,’’ Tammy Thurman, chairwoman of the chamber’s board of directors, said in the release.
“We are pleased to welcome Toni back to Fayetteville and feel that her leadership and proven track record will complement the chamber’s staff and keep the organization on a path of success and ever-increasing achievements.”
Dixon will oversee staff and the chamber’s day-to-day operations. She succeeds Shari Fiveash, who resigned in May.
She said she has been back with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber since July 8.
“They called me and asked if I would be interested in coming back, and I said sure,’’ Dixon said. "I’ve been part of the chamber for so long that I think it’s a part of my DNA. I love what I do.’’
Dixon said she also has experience working in the economic development field.
She said she would like to see the chamber, especially the Military Affairs Council, continue to expand that connection with Fort Bragg.
“Fort Bragg has been here forever,’’ she said. “I am an Army brat. I understand the connection. Some of our members are prior military, so they still have that connection. The military has been very good to the chamber, especially on the Military Affairs Council side.’’
Increasing the chamber’s membership is something else she would like to focus on.
“I want our membership to continue to grow,’’ Dixon said. “If we continue to do the things that we do and engage our members, they will go and tell someone, ‘You need to join the chamber.’’’
She said she has watched Fayetteville and Cumberland County grow and is excited to be working in the community.
“I got my footing in this community, and I just love this community,’’ she said.
