Fayetteville A&P Commission hires Molly Rawn as new executive director

Molly Rawn / Courtesy

The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission has a new leader.

Officials today announced the hiring of Molly Rawn as the group’s new executive director. Her first day is Aug. 8.

Rawn was previously the director of development and communications at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, where she led the museum’s capital campaign efforts prior to its opening in July 2015. She oversaw fundraising, membership and public relations efforts while at the museum.

Rawn’s previous positions include director of membership at KUAF Public Radio and assistant director of development at Fulbright College at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was also the first director of development at the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter.

“The commission is thrilled Molly has accepted the position,” said Matthew Petty, chair of the commission. “Her entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of regional opportunities make Molly well-suited to be Fayetteville’s next tourism director.”

The search for a new director began immediately after the resignation announcement of former director Kym Hughes in early May. Hughes, who was hired in late 2014 to replace longtime director Marilyn Heifner, is the former director of tourism and hospitality for the city of Sandy Springs, Georgia. She was given a starting salary of $85,000. Hughes’s last day was July 1.

Rawn was one of three final candidates for the job, including Angie Albright, development and outreach director for the Arkansas Support Network, and Matt Behrend, a current A&P commissioner and regional operations manager for Krushiker Hospitality Group.

As executive director, Rawn will oversee a $3.5 million annual operating budget and more than a dozen staff at the Town Center, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Visitor’s Center and the Clinton House Museum. Her starting salary is $85,000.

“I have called Fayetteville home for 11 years and I am eager to take on such an important role as an ambassador for our city,” said Rawn. “I look forward to promoting Fayetteville within our region, state and beyond.”