Our New CVB Board was approved by our Sampson County Board of Commissioners on July 10, 2023.
The Sampson County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s primary mission is to market and promote Sampson County, its assets, and its industry partners to attract business and leisure travelers. The CVB Board Members consist of 12 Voting Members, 2 Non-Voting Ex-Officio Members, and 1 Executive Director. The Sampson County CVB Board Members are as follows:
Mr. Roland Hall – Retired
Mr. Roland Hall lives in Roseboro. He is a retired U. S. Army Chief Warrant Officer with several military awards and decorations, who completed two combat tours during the Vietnam War. Roland served 22 years as a member of the Roseboro Town Board, including four years as Mayor. He promotes community and economic develop as he represents Sampson County and the Town of Roseboro on several boards and commissions, such as the Fort Bragg Regional Land Use Advisory Commission, the Sampson County Economic Development Advisory Board, the Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation Board, the Sampson Community College Foundation Board and the Western Sampson Commerce Group.
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Wally Bashlor – Owner, Remedy by Jess, Simply NC, The Ashford Inn and Vice President of the Board
Wally and Jessica Bashlor have taken over as the new managers of the Ashford Inn. The Bashlor’s are local to Sampson County and also own and operate Remedy By Jess and Simply NC, both in downtown Clinton. (A handmade specialty skincare & home fragrance company)
The Bashlor’s are excited to start this new adventure and would be honored to assist you with guest reservations and event planning.
Denise Rentz – Secretary of the CVB Board
Denise Rentz is a recent transplant to Clinton from Johnston County. Denise and her husband Daniel are the new owners of the Historic Herring House formerly the Richert Inn. Denise has a background with non-profits in event planning, volunteer organization, and public speaking. She is excited to live, work and serve in Sampson County. She is currently the Secretary of the CVB Board.
Sharad Surati – Owner, The Inn at Clinton and The Comfort Inn
Sharad Surati lives in Clinton and is the owner / operator of the Inn at Clinton and The Comfort Inn.
Roy Patel – Owner, Days Inn
Roy is the owner and operator of Days Inn of Clinton NC. Mr. Roy Patel purchased Days Inn in January, 2017. He serves as representing the lodging providers, due to the occupancy tax funding in the county and has been an important member of the Sampson County CVB board since 2017.
Joel Rose – President of the CVB Board
Joel Rose is a Clinton businessman who enjoys all things Sampson County. A former Rotary Club President, he has served on numerous local boards to include the Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Downtown Historic Preservation committee, the Sampson Arts Council, the Sampson County History Museum Board and the Friends of the Sampson County Waterways. He is currently the president of the Sampson County Historical Society. An avid kayak-er, he enjoys the scenic beauty found on the Great Coharie and Black River.
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Kay Raynor – Retired. President of the Sampson County History Museum
Ms. Kay Raynor, a member of the Clinton Main Street’s Promotion Committee, has been instrumental in getting local business feedback and promoting downtown events and activities, Ms. Raynor also serves as president of the Sampson County History Museum, working to create an impactful destination that can attract visitors from around the state to the heart of this county. She also has been very instrumental in the Barn Quilt Project of Sampson County. She would be an asset to the CVB Board.
Shawn Hobbs – Business Owner
Mr. Hobbs is the Main Street Director for the Town of Roseboro and the Director of the STEP Prosperity Program and the Community Garden in Roseboro. He works to promote Roseboro in a manner to attract visitors to the area.
Kullen Bell – Coharie Downriver Explorations
Kullen Bell would be serving the last year of Phillip Bell’s unexpired term. Kullen Bell is the owner of Coharie Downriver Explorations and brings visitors to the rivers for kayaking and canoeing in Sampson County. Kullen will promote travel and tourism with his presence on the CVB Board and with his business.
Sheila Barefoot – CVB Executive Director and Clerk of the CVB Board
Email: sbarefoot@visitsampsonnc.com
Ms. Barefoot became our Tourism Executive Director in January 2016. She is originally from Roxboro, NC, and now resides in Newton Grove, NC.
As Executive Director, Sheila’s primary responsibilities are to promote and market Sampson County to the traveling public and work to establish Sampson County as a destination for meetings, events, group tours, day-trips and conventions. She handles media inquiries about area attractions, SCCVB news, as well as, festivals and events. In addition, Sheila works with local businesses to develop programs that will support their businesses in a manner that will expand and grow the travel industry within Sampson County. She also serves as President of the Sampson County Hospital Foundation and serves as Treasurer of the North Carolina’s Coast Host.
Ray Jordan – Executive Director Agri-Expo Center & Treasurer of the CVB Board
Mr. Jordan currently serves as Executive Director of the Sampson County Exposition Center and as Assistant Director for the Sampson County Economic Development Commission. He is a founding member of the Sampson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he served as Chairman from 2008 until 2016 and is currently serving as Treasurer. Mr. Jordan also serves on the Board of Directors of the Sampson Arts Council, Inc. and Chairman of the Alive After Five Concert Series. Over the years, he has served on numerous boards of local and statewide organizations. He currently resides in Clinton NC.
Clark Honeycutt – Owner of Vinny’s Restaurant and Co-owner of Earl and Jerrys, both of Roseboro, NC
Mr. Clark Honeycutt currently owns Vinny’s Pizzeria and part owner of Earl and Jerry’s Seafood Shack in Roseboro, NC.
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JP Duncan – City Manager
Duncan comes to Clinton from the Town of Robersonville, where he currently serves as town manager. According to a City of Clinton press release, “Duncan has a solid background in organizational administration, local government finance, planning and development and public works operations.”
Pending – Sampson County Board of Commissioners
David Clack – Sampson County CFO
Mr. Clack is a permanent position of the CVB Board.
Where To Eat
Autryville
Clinton
Garland
Harrells
Newton Grove
Roseboro
Salemburg
Turkey
