Anthony G. Chavonne was elected Mayor of the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina in 2005 and re-elected to a third term in November 2009. He served his second term starting in 2007. Chavonne has helped guide Fayetteville through rapid growth since his appointment to office. Previously being populated by more than 150,000 citizens, Fayetteville has expanded into a booming city of 207,445, largely inhabited by military who serve their country at nearby Ft. Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
Under his leadership, curbside recycling was implemented, transit services have improved, an infill ordinance was passed, more appearance ordinances have been established, corridor studies have helped prepare pockets of the city for future growth, HOPE VI funding was approved for downtown revitalization and a state veterans park has been planned.
These changes are a part of Tony’s strong focus to gearing Fayetteville for an economic transformation associated with local Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) changes that will start in 2010. BRAC changes will take place when military and civilian personnel from Georgia relocate.
Tony has had strong military ties for years. In 2007, he was appointed to the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs. He has served as a member of the Bragg and Pope Special Activities Committees since 1996 and Congressman Robin Hayes named him to the Congressional Military Activities Committee in 2000. Chavonne received the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service in 1995.
He has been honored with other awards, including the Fayetteville Business & Professional League’s Outstanding Contribution Award in 2002, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Realtor’s Cup Award in 2002, the Sam Walton Business Leader Award in 1999 and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award in 1996.
As Mayor, Chavonne has been very successful at reaching out to the public, making it easier and more comfortable for citizens to interact with the City’s elected officials. This has seen him involved in open discussion with citizens at town hall meetings, events that allow the public to speak to and seek answers from City officials and staff members. Chavonne has also participated in a blog on the Fayetteville Observer website and he sends out an E-newsletter to citizens to keep them apprised of city and local news.
Prior to his stint in office, Tony served as chairman of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Fayetteville Area Economic Development Corporation and the Cumberland County Business Council. He was a 1992 participant in a multi-service orientation program for civilian public opinion leaders called the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference.
Tony is a CPA and retired as general manager of Fayetteville Publishing Company in 2004 after a 25-year career. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977. The Mayor graduated from the first graduating class of Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville in 1973 and attended Massey Hill High School in Fayetteville from 1969-1972.
Tony is the President of Chavonne Management Group, LLC. He and his wife Joanne have two sons, Grayson and Tyson, and are members of Highland Presbyterian Church.