Our Team
The Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau and I-73/74 Visitor Centers teams are here to make your visit the most memorable! Stop in at one of our three locations, call, or email for assistance. We look forward to greeting you and sharing our favorite places in the Heart of NC.
Meet Our Team
Amber Scarlett, Executive Director
Amber Scarlett has served the TDA since February 2007, fulfilling many roles in her tenure from a Tourism Coordinator to the Director of Tourism – representing the county at international and regional trade association events, primary group tour manager, conducting sales missions throughout the Northeast US.
Scarlett is a 2001 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (go Seahawks!) with a B.A. English and 2004 graduate of Randolph Community College with an A.A.S. Photojournalism. Her roots in tourism are strong. Her first job as a teenager was in the gift shop at the North Carolina Zoo.
O: (336) 626-0364, ext 102
M: (336) 465-6981
Email - click HERE
Amber Skeen, Director of Office Administration/Clerk to the Board
Amber Skeen started working for the TDA in December 2013. Skeen's first job was working for the North Carolina Zoo in the late 90s, where she worked in a restaurant in North America.
Skeen and her family love the warm summer nights at the newly renovated Historic McCrary Park to cheer on the Asheboro ZooKeepers baseball team.
O: (336) 626-0364, ext 105
M: (336) 465-1590
Email - click HERE
Melody Varner, Tourism Marketing Coordinator
Melody Varner grew up in Liberty and currently resides there today. Majoring in Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality at UNC-Greensboro, she utilizes her education every day in her role.
Varner’s favorite activities include quality time with friends and family and her adopted long-haired dachshund, Zoey. A true animal lover, Varner seeks out the Polar Bear habitat at the North Carolina Zoo as a first stop during each visit!
O: (336) 626-0364, ext 101
M: (336) 465-6014
Email - click HERE
Wes Alexander, Digital Content Coordinator
Wes Alexander joined the TDA team in August of 2023. Graduating from Coastal Carolina with his Masters in Business Administration with experience in Digital Content.
Alexander loves sharing all of the wonderful places, events, and people of Randolph County. As a foodie, Alexander's favorite dish is from Black Powder Smokehouse, specifically the pulled pork with mac & cheese.
O: (336) 626-0364, ext 103
M: (336) 964-9154
Email - click HERE
Doyle Craven, Tourism Services Coordinator
Doyle Craven is a native of Randolph County and has lived in Randleman most of his life. Having spent most of his working years in Guilford County, he is happy to now be working with Randolph County TDA promoting the many wonderful attractions and experiences here.
Some of his favorite local experiences include RhinoLeap Productions, concerts at the Sunset Theatre, ziplining at Kersey Valley, shopping and snacking at Whitaker Farms Main Farm, and enjoying a meal at one of the many great local restaurants.
O: (336) 626-0364
Email - click HERE
The Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority representing Archdale, Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity. | 500 Albemarle Road, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203 | Toll-Free Phone: (800) 626-2672 | Open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
I-73/74 Visitor Centers Team
ANNETTE CAGLE, DIRECTOR OF VISITOR SERVICES & INFORMATION
Annette Cagle has been working at the Visitor Centers in Seagrove since July 2022. Her favorite part of her job is meeting new people at the Centers and sharing our tourism message with our local industry partners.
A trusty lunch spot for Cagle is Holly Ridge Bar & Grill in Archdale where she highly suggests the hot chips as a side item. In her free time, Cagle enjoys lake days with her family, playing cornhole on her cattle farm or swimming in the family pond.
O: (336) 626-0364, ext 108
M: (336) 964-9150
Email - click HERE
Matthew Jarrett, Tourism Information Coordinator
Email - click HERE
336-626-0364
Christy Kiser, Tourism Information Coordinator
Email - click HERE
336-626-0364
Part-Time Visitor Services & Information Counselors: Kenneth Broadway, Jo Anne Higgins, Shelly LaCoss, Benita McNeill, and Carole Thorsen
Our Visitor Centers are open to serve the traveling public six days a week. Days and hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am – 4 pm; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; closed on Tuesday.
For a complete list of NCDOT amenities and parking information for the rest area and vending areas, click HERE.
The Interstate 73/74 Visitor Centers are staffed and operated by the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority in cooperation with the NC Department of Transportation and are located one mile south of Seagrove on both North and Southbound lanes. For more information on the I-73/74 Visitor Centers, including location and staffing, go to this link: VISITOR CENTERS.