LUMBERTON — Angela Sumner, who served as tourism director for the Lumberton Visitors Bureau in the days when the bureau was part of the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, has been hired to replace Mickey Gregory as the bureau’s director.

Gregory retired recently.

“I’m very excited about being involved in promoting Lumberton and the surrounding area,” said Sumner, who officially begins her new job on April 4. “My goal is to continue to grow the markets we have now … . I want to remind people that that there is plenty to see and do in Lumberton and Robeson County and that it’s a good place to stopover and spend their money.”

Originally from Abbeville, S.C., Sumner has live in Lumberton since 1993. Before coming to Lumberton, she lived in Raleigh and worked as an executive assistant for the the Apex Chamber of Commerce. Before that she was a resident of Roxboro and worked as an executive assistant for the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sumner was tourism director for the Lumberton Visitors Bureau from 1993 to 1997. She told The Robesonian that she hopes to build on her past experiences promoting the area in other states and Canada.

“I’m just a Southern girl trying to promote Southern hospitality,” she said.

Sumner since 2012 has been working for Robeson Community College. She currently is an academic career coach in the Better Occupational Outcome with Simulated Training program. She previously worked as a success manager with the N.C. Advanced Manufacturing Alliance.

“I always want to learn,” Sumner said. “I am a true believer in a lifetime of learning.”

Arnold West, chairman of the Lumberton Tourism Development Authority, said that he expects Sumner to be a real asset to the bureau and its efforts to promote Lumberton, Robeson County and the surrounding area.

“Our board is very excited to have her come on board,” West said. “We have great plans and are sure she will walk in our vision and ensure our vision for Lumberton and surrounding communities is carried out.”

West said that his board reviewed many applications from across the country.

“We outsourced to get applicants from across the country only to find our most qualified at home,” he said.

Sumner holds a bachelor of arts degree in Business Administration from Columbia College, Columbia, S.C.. as well as having pursued continuing education courses associated with business and management of nonprofits.

She is the wife of David Sumner, corporate services and chief strategy officer at Southeastern Health. They have two grown children, Hailey and Joshua.

Jaymie Baxley | The Robesonian| Angela Sumner, a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, has lived in Lumberton since 1993. As the newly named director of the Lumberton Visitor’s Bureau, Sumner aims to “promote southern hospitality.” Jaymie Baxley | The Robesonian| Angela Sumner, a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, has lived in Lumberton since 1993. As the newly named director of the Lumberton Visitor’s Bureau, Sumner aims to “promote southern hospitality.”
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1__IMG7329.jpgJaymie Baxley | The Robesonian| Angela Sumner, a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, has lived in Lumberton since 1993. As the newly named director of the Lumberton Visitor’s Bureau, Sumner aims to “promote southern hospitality.” Jaymie Baxley | The Robesonian| Angela Sumner, a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, has lived in Lumberton since 1993. As the newly named director of the Lumberton Visitor’s Bureau, Sumner aims to “promote southern hospitality.”
Angela Sumner set to start in April

By Bob Shiles • [email protected]

Staff writer Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.