FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2025

Visit Fargo-Moorhead announced today that Shirley Hughes as been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer effective September 8. Hughes will succeed Charley Johnson who will retire later this month after more than 13 years in this role.

Shirley Hughes brings decades of leadership in marketing, organizational growth, and brand development across travel, hospitality, sports, and entertainment. She most recently served as EVP, Global Head of Growth and Customer Experience at Ryff, Inc., and previously led global marketing and communications at R&CPMK, overseeing a $40M division and a team of 160.

Her career also includes leadership roles at BenLabs, Wasserman Media Group, Paramount Studios, and Hard Rock Cafes. An award-winning marketer, Hughes has built brands and partnerships for global companies including Royal Caribbean, Emirates Airlines, Bacardi, McDonalds, and Microsoft. “After an extensive search that focused locally and nationally, the committee unanimously selected Shirley Hughes,” stated board chair Doug Peters. “Her excitement about returning to Fargo-Moorhead is infectious, and her talent and skills align perfectly with our vision of how important each visit is to the vitality and future of our community.”

Shirley began her career with Visit Fargo-Moorhead as Director of Sales and Marketing from 1991 to 1997, helping drive growth and visibility for the region. Her return to lead the organization also marks a homecoming, as she is moving back to the community where her family lives. “I am excited to return to Fargo-Moorhead after 29 years,” says Hughes “the opportunity to be closer to my family and lifelong friends, while rejoining the organization that launched my career in a community I have always cherished, is truly a dream come true.”

We invite media to join the organization for a news conference to be held at the ClubHouse Hotel and Suites (4400 15th Ave S, Fargo) on September 10 at 1 pm.

Visit Fargo-Moorhead works to position our distinctive community as a desirable destination and gateway to the region and nation resulting in a superior quality of life for its residents.

 

Doug Peters
Board Chair
Doug.peters.jmt@gmail.com
(701) 298-9181

Danni Melquist
Director of Marketing
dannielle@fargomoorhead.org
(701) 365-4561