Robert C. Pinson selected as President|CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville

[Fayetteville, North Carolina] – The Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County is excited to announce the selection of Robert C. Pinson (Bob) as the organization’s President|CEO. Mr. Pinson’s selection is the first milestone in the soon-to-be-released Strategic Plan for FY 24 and FY 25 and the result of a public executive search for the Arts Council’s next leader.

Editorial by the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County’s Board of Trustees

“Bob’s passion for the Arts Council’s mission, our member organizations, and this community is unquestionable. He did a tremendous job steering the Arts Council through the pandemic while making sure that our area artists and organizations kept their funding. Along the way, the Arts Council has been recognized for its efforts in being a family-friendly workplace as a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. And his devotion to the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion was recognized with the bestowing of the 2023 Community Human Relations Award for Industry/Business in Cumberland County to the Arts Council. We could not be happier with his selection!” stated Rick Allen, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Prior to his selection as President, Bob served as the Interim President of the Arts Council for three years just prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his Interim role, Bob served as the Director of Operations at the Arts Council for nine years. During the pandemic, Bob focused his efforts on providing relief to individual artists and arts organizations across Cumberland County. As part of his holistic approach to his leadership style, Bob also assured that staff and their families were safe and cared for during COVID-19. Currently, Bob leads the Arts Council’s staff and Board as they articulate a new Strategic Plan born out of the Arts Council’s mission to connect our communities, embrace diversity, promote individual creativity, advance economic development, and foster lifelong learning through the arts.

Bob arrived in Fayetteville over thirty-three years ago in July 1989 under military orders to Ft. Bragg and decided that Fayetteville was a great place to live and raise a family. Coming from a military family, he enlisted in the Army in July 1969 and graduated from West Point in 1974. He held positions of increasing responsibility over his career as an infantry officer with much of his career in either the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Headquarters, 18th Airborne Corps, or the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

Upon return from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Bob was the personal advisor to the Commanding General, Major General Hugh Shelton, on policies and regulations. He also provided a continuing assessment of the combat effectiveness of the 82nd Airborne Division under General Shelton’s command. After retiring from the military in 1994, Bob served almost a decade as Parish Administrator and Treasurer for St. John’s Episcopal Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville.

Bob earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a second bachelor of science degree in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude) from Methodist College. His family includes his wife Suzanne, three children, and four grandchildren.

Through the strength and talents of our incredible staff and board, and guided by our new Strategic Plan, the Arts Council looks to the future while strengthening our financial base, diversifying, deepening community connections, and focusing on organizational development. Together, the Arts Council and our community will continue to make Fayetteville and Cumberland County a better place for all through the arts.

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About the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify our 5 core values: Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, Collaboration, and Innovation. theartscouncil.com

In the year 2022-2023 year, the Arts Council distributed more than $1 million in grant funds and special allocations to Cumberland County non-profit organizations, artists, and municipalities producing arts and cultural activities.

Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. ncarts.org