NCMBC welcomes Rivers as business development professional for the Fort Bragg region

The North Carolina Military Busi- bizfayetteville.com wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.” ness Center has announced a new team member for the Fort Bragg region following the appointment of TONIA RIVERS as Business Development Professional. Serving businesses statewide from Fayetteville Technical Community College, Tonia will provide one-on-one assistance to help businesses in the following counties to compete for, win and grow jobs through federal contracts: Bladen, Cumberland, Columbus, Harnett, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland.

Tonia will work every day to identify current and future prime and subcontracting opportunities (with a focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), notify companies statewide of these opportunities, and provide one-on-one assistance to help companies in her service area to bid on and win federal contracts. Tonia will also join a robust NCMBC construction and infrastructure industry team.

“The business development team is the heart of the NCMBC,” said NCMBC Executive Director Scott Dorney in a press release. “Tonia's experience - from both the business and government perspectives - in construction and MILCON programs will serve her well in assisting businesses of all sizes and experience levels in competing for federal contracts.”

Prior to joining the NCMBC, Tonia served as a Project Officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of the U.S. Army Reserve Command MILCON Program, and in industry as a Senior Project Manager managing construction projects in the National Capital Region. Tonia's experience spans several market sectors and includes historic preservation and res- toration, commercial, marine construction, residential, institutional, federal, healthcare and K-12 education. She has also been a critical team member in management of over $1 billion in construction projects.

Harnett County welcomes new marketing director for economic development

Harnett County is proud to announce ELIZABETH EDWARDS as the first Marketing Director for Economic Development effective Feb. 20. She brings over 15 years of experience leading digital marketing and communication initiatives, serving most recently as the Director of Communications and Donor Relations at William Peace University.

Prior to her position at William Peace University, Edwards led an alumni engagement communications strategy for Campbell University, guided communications and digital marketing efforts for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and supported global branding, economic development, and tourism-related promotions for the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Edwards to Harnett County,”said Director of Economic Development Christian Lockamy in a press release. “Elizabeth has the drive and experience to lead our inaugural marketing efforts. We are very fortunate to have Elizabeth join our team.”

The Marketing Director role is the fourth staff position for Harnett County Economic Development that will work with the new Harnett County Economic Development Partnership. In this new role, Edwards will have oversight of internal and external marketing strategies, playing a central role in positioning the community for the attraction of new jobs, investment, and overnight stays.

“I am excited to join the Harnett County Economic Development team and have the opportunity to showcase all this unique county has to offer entrepreneurs, businesses, and industries,” said Edwards in a press release. “I look forward to supporting the mission to create jobs, bring investment and ultimately, improve the quality of life for Harnett County citizens.”

Fayetteville native Joshua Williams wins SuperBowl

Mayor Mitch Colvin and the City Council congratulate and recognize Kansas City Chief cornerback, JOSHUA WILLIAMS for being part of the winning Super Bowl LVII team. Williams is a Fayetteville native and a Jack Britt High School and Fayetteville State University alumnus. This was his first Super Bowl after being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

“On behalf of the City Council and residents of Fayetteville, I want to personally congratulate Joshua Williams and the Kansas City Chiefs on their win in Super Bowl LVII,” Colvin said in a press release. “As we celebrate this win with Joshua, I encourage everyone to work hard and stay dedicated towards accomplishing their goals as he did.”

The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 at Super Bowl LVII. Williams played throughout the game finishing with three solo and one assisted tackle on the night.

During the regular season, Williams played in all 17 games, accumulating 40 total tackles, 11 assisted tackles, seven total pass deflections and one interception.

After graduating Jack Britt High School, he attended Palmetto Prep and later joined the Fayetteville State Football program and played three seasons with the Broncos. He finished his Bronco career with 81 total tackles (55 solo, 26 assisted), 21 pass breakups, five interceptions with returns of 32 yards, and a touchdown in the 29 games he played in.