FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County announces that Diane Rice has been hired as the County’s new Communications Director. Rice’s first day with Cumberland County was Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Rice comes to Cumberland County from Texas, where she served as Communications and Public Engagement Officer for the City of Roanoke, Texas. In that role, she developed and implemented the City’s Strategic Communications, Marketing and Advertising Plan, managed media relations and public information requests, and assisted with implementation of the City’s crisis communications programs. Prior to that, she served as Marketing & Special Events Coordinator for the City of Roanoke.

She has also served in various communications roles in Washington State, including time with the City of DuPont, which is adjacent to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and with the State of Washington’s Career and Technical Education Department. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Communications and Public Relations Studies.

“We are excited to welcome Diane to the Cumberland County team,” said Assistant County Manager Brian Haney, who previously served in a dual role as the County’s Communications Director. “We have so many important projects going on in County government and our departments provide a variety of essential service and programs for our residents – it’s critical that we’re able to communicate effectively and proactively engage our citizens. Diane will work with our Public Information Office staff to make sure we continue providing a high level of communication, both externally to the public and within our organization to our employees, and to further enhance our communication efforts.”