The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission on June 23 voted to adopt a formal CEO transition policy and outlined steps to onboard the organization's incoming chief executive. The policy establishes procedures for planned and unplanned vacancies, interim compensation authority, and a timeline for initiating a permanent CEO search.

The policy, presented by interim CEO Jennifer Walker, was approved after a motion by Commissioner Catherine Kenny and a second by Commissioner Chrissy Sanderson. Commissioner Kenny moved the motion and Commissioner Sanderson seconded; the vote was recorded as unanimous. "It very clearly authorizes the commission to establish compensation for interim salary, and also the duration of appointment," Walker said as she summarized the document.

Walker told the commission the policy will be three pages long and added it will be incorporated into the employee handbook and reviewed every three years or after a transition. She also said legal counsel had reviewed the policy. "If it does not [cover everything], we're happy to make adjustments to the policy," Walker said.

Commissioners discussed onboarding logistics for the incoming CEO, identified in staff remarks as Ryan Hout. Walker said staff and the incoming CEO will hold a kickoff meeting covering initiatives, financial status and active contracts; she listed a future financial obligation — the agreement with USA Cycling to host the National Criterium Championships in December 2025 and December 2026 — as an example of items to review. Walker said the incoming CEO will co-develop the July 28 meeting packet and preside at that meeting.

Walker said standard administrative tasks — building access, business cards, technology access — are complete or in process and that a request to add the new CEO as a signer on bank accounts will appear at the July 28 meeting. She also outlined planned external communications: a press release and website feature timed to July 28, a small reception for partners after that meeting, and a larger partner event in August in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce.

The commission discussed procedural details such as whether the transition policy should be considered a pilot for future refinements and whether additional post-transition review was appropriate. The commission voted to adopt the policy as presented and asked staff to return with any changes at a later date.

No budget allocation tied to the transition policy was voted on at the June 23 meeting; the commission authorized incorporation of the policy into the organization’s policy book and directed staff to proceed with the onboarding steps that were described.