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Nancy Lee McNew, CEcD, PCED
Vice President at Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson CountyNancy Lee McNew is the Vice President of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, Arkansas. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). Her primary responsibilities include overseeing all projects, marketing, and the Jefferson County Manufacturing Council. Nancy focuses on business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts, and was recently involved in a new company locating to the county, an existing industry’s expansion, and the sale of a Spec building that had been vacant for 20 years.
Nancy was born and raised in Pine Bluff and is an Honors graduate of Arkansas Tech University where she holds a Bachelor of Science Business Administration degree in Management and Marketing and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She returned to Pine Bluff upon graduation and started working at the Alliance & Chamber in 2013. In the past 9 years at the Alliance, and before her current role, Nancy held positions as Event Coordinator, Interim Chamber Director, Chamber Director, and Vice President of Economic Development. She is a graduate of Leadership Pine Bluff, the Candidate Development Institute, the University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute, and Leadership Arkansas Class XVII.
Nancy was named Arkansas Business’ The New Influentials: 20 in their 20s (class of 2017) and currently serves as President of the Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE) Board of Directors. She is also a member of the International Economic Development Council’s Young Professional Advisory Committee and the Jefferson County Young Professionals Network.
When Nancy is not working or researching the latest digital marketing trends, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family, friends, and her two wild rescue dogs, Carmen & Martin.
Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
Mayor at City of Little RockFrank Scott, Jr. began his second four-year term as Mayor of Little Rock
on Jan. 1, 2023. Mayor Scott is the City's 73rd Mayor and is Little Rock's first-ever popularly-elected African American mayor.
During his time in office, Mayor Scott has worked
toward uniting Little Rock’s diverse neighborhoods through expanding
our economy, creating new opportunities for educational growth for Little
Rock’s students, enhancing public safety and improving the quality of life
and place in Arkansas’ capital city.
Clint O'Neal, CEcD
Executive Director of Arkansas Economic Development CommissionClint O’Neal is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Clint has 16 years of economic development experience and is passionate about making a difference by helping communities win economic development projects and helping companies to be successful in Arkansas.
Clint and his wife, Heather, live in Conway with their four children: Chloe, Ellie, Ava and Caleb.
Clint started his economic development career in 2007 as a Project Manager at AEDC. He served as the Vice President of Business Recruitment for the Missouri Partnership starting in 2011 before moving back to his home state in 2018 to be the Deputy Director of Global Business at AEDC. Clint was named Executive Director by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in January 2023.
He serves as a member of the board of directors for the Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives, the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation, the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, and the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. He also serves as Governor Sanders’ Designee to the Delta Regional Authority.
Clint is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council. He holds a master’s degree in Community and Economic Development from the University of Central Arkansas.
Jim Fram, CEcD, CCE, FM
Consultant and Economic Development Leader at Community Growth Strategies, LLCJim Fram is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) through the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) with 30+ years of successful economic development and senior-level chamber of commerce management experience in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri.
Jim led two economic development organizations to accreditation by the International Economic Development Council (Tulsa, OK, and Hot Springs, AR). He also led three Chambers of Commerce to Five Star Accreditation by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce (Lincoln, NE, Tulsa, OK, Hot Springs, AR).
He has served on the faculty at the Heartland Basic Economic Development Course and the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course. He is a past Chairman of the Oklahoma Governor’s Economic Development Team (2007). He is an Honorary Life Member of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) and a Fellow Member (FM) of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He is also a frequent instructor, moderator, and guest speaker at numerous economic development and Chamber of Commerce organizations, conferences, and events across the country.
In January of 2018, he fulfilled a longtime dream and founded Community Growth Strategies, LLC., a consulting firm that focuses on assisting communities as well as regional economic development efforts and chambers of commerce. His office is in his home in Columbia, MO, where his wife, Kelli, is a consultant, project manager, and instructor at Westminster College.
Mike Rogers
Chief Workforce Officer at The office of Governor Sarah Huckabee SandersMike Rogers is the Chief Workforce Officer for Arkansas. He chairs the governor’s workforce cabinet, which consists of the departments of commerce, corrections, education, human services, labor and licensing transitioning and shared services, and veteran affairs. Formerly he was the Senior Director of Maintenance and Refrigeration for Tyson Foods, INC. Prior to Tyson Foods, he taught agriculture and industrial maintenance at Siloam Springs High School for 20 years. He was the Energy Manager for the Siloam Springs School District for 16 years. Mike received his bachelor's of science degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas and minored in agriculture mechanics and poultry science. In 1997, Mike completed his master’s degree in education. Through high school, college and the first five years of teaching, Mike was employed full-time at Frez-N-Stor in industrial maintenance and anhydrous ammonia. During his 20-year career at Frez-N-Stor, he took refrigeration apprenticeship classes through the Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association, received a universal HVAC/R license and boiler operator’s certifications.
Mike holds six additional teaching licenses with the Arkansas Department of Education, including: a technical permit for post-secondary instruction, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, industrial equipment maintenance, machine tool technology and welding. Mike is an NCCER Master Trainer and holds three journey level certificates. His time in industry and education afforded him the opportunity to acquire numerous industrial skills. Mike and Sandra have been married for 28 years and have five children, from ages 25 to 18. He enjoys working on his farm and being with his family. He has been a bi-vocational pastor since 2008. Mike’s goal is to positively influence people and help support youth, technical education and training.
Jeff Standridge
Managing Director of ConductorDr. Jeff D. Standridge helps organizations and their leaders generate sustained results in the areas of innovation, strategy, profit growth, organizational effectiveness and leadership. Formerly a Vice President for Acxiom Corporation, he has led established and startup business units in North & South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Jeff serves as Managing Director for the Conductor (www.ARConductor.org), is Co-founder of Cadron Capital Partners, and teaches in the College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA.edu).
Dr. Standridge has been an invited speaker, trainer and consultant for numerous companies, institutions and organizations across five continents. He and his wife, Lori, make their home in Conway, Arkansas.
In addition to his executive coaching and custom-tailored consulting, he has received accolades for his World Class presentations, training programs and workshops.
Frank Kenny
Founder of Frank J. Kenny, LLCFrank Kenny is a successful entrepreneur, former chamber board member, elected board chair, and chamber President/CEO.
He now coaches and consults with chamber and economic development professionals, trains staff and board members, and speaks professionally.
He has worked with hundreds of chambers and related entities over the past 13 years doing strategic planning, board retreats, and orientations. His specialties include social media, digital marketing, AI, and technology.
While with his chamber, Frank was appointed to the executive committee of his state’s chamber of commerce and the board of his state’s chamber professional’s association.
He is a graduate of the Western Association of Chamber Executive’s Academy program. He has a degree in finance and an MBA. Frank serves on the faculty of the Institute for Organization Management. He is the author of three books and founder of the Chamber Focus Show and the 11,000 member Chamber Professionals Community
Frank and Norma travel in their RV going from chamber to chamber, state to state. They have been on the road full-time for the past 10 years.
Julie Murray, PCED
President & CEO of Van Buren Chamber of CommerceJulie Murray is an experienced business professional with an extensive background in strategic planning and community development. Before returning to Van Buren in early 2019, Murray served as Executive Director of the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her directorship at the Heber Springs Chamber, Murray worked at the Walmart corporate office in strategy and development, as well as the global communications department.
She earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Science in Leadership from John Brown University. In 2018, she graduated from the Community Development Institute and earned the certification of Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED).
Julie currently serves on the boards of Western Arkansas Planning and Development, Fort Smith Regional Alliance, the CDI Alumni Advisory Board, and the Crawford County Adult Education Center Advisory Board.
Gary Troutman
President/CEO of Greater Hot Springs Chamber & Hot Springs Metro PartnershipGary Troutman was named President and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Metro Partnership in August 2017. He assumed that role a month later. Gary was slated to be the chairman of the Chamber for 2018, after serving on the Chamber board of directors the past several years, before being selected for this role.
He previously was vice president of First Security Bank in Hot Springs after spending 14 years with WEHCO Media, in which he served as classified advertising director of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in Little Rock and more recently as general manager of The Sentinel-Record. He has served on numerous boards including the Arkansas State Chamber/Associated Industries of Arkansas Board, U.S. Chamber Winter Institute Board, Fifty for the Future, The Oaklawn Foundation, National Park College Foundation, Southern Economic Development Council, Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives, Arkansas Press Association, HS Executive Association, Central Arkansas Human Resources Association and Ouachita Children’s Center. He was president of the Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club during their historic 100th year in 2016-17 and was named HSNP’s “Rotarian of the Year” for 2017-18.
Gary is a native of Hot Springs, graduated from Lakeside High and the University of Central Arkansas, and lived in Little Rock for 20 years before returning back home to Hot Springs 15 years ago. He and his wife Michelle, an 8th grade teacher at Lake Hamilton Junior High for the past 28 years, have one daughter, Shelby, who is a Labor and Delivery RN at CHI St. Vincent – Hot Springs.
Michele Allgood
Partner at Mitchell Willams Law FirmAttorney Michele Allgood is a partner with Mitchell Williams Law Firm and splits her time between the Little Rock and Jonesboro offices. She focuses her practice on Municipal and Public Finance Law and has had the opportunity to assist state agencies, cities, counties, facility boards, and commissions throughout the state with municipal, capital improvement and economic development projects. Michele grew up in Paris, Arkansas. She earned her law degree from Vanderbilt School of Law and has a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College. She lives in Sherwood, Arkansas with her husband and a rotating group of daughters, pets and a son-in-law.
Kerrie Lauck
Owner at KlauckworkKerrie Lauck is an attorney, a mental resiliency teacher, and the civic education coordinator for the Arkansas Municipal League. During her 21 years of full-time law practice, 18 of which were primarily focused on municipal and county law, Kerrie found and honed tools to better manage her own chronic stress in a time of dramatic change and an evolving work-life culture. In addition to teaching municipal law to elected officials and city personnel, her focus now is on assisting communities in educating and harnessing the power of their greatest asset: their people. A native Arkansan, Kerrie teaches the tools that have transformed her own life, helping people to create resilience to stress, innovation in times of crisis, mindful balance between work and self, enhanced performance, and more. Additional information about Kerrie and the league can be found at www.klauckwork.com and www.arml.org.
Bill Burrough
City Manager at City of Hot SpringsBill Burrough is a Native American and a lifelong resident of Hot Springs. He began his employment with the City of Hot Springs in 2002 as the director of the Solid Waste Department. After 10 years in this role, he was promoted to Deputy City Manager. He served seven years as deputy city manager, during which he twice served as interim city manager. He was named the city manager in December 2018. He is past president of the Arkansas City Managers Association, past president of the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance and served on the Board of Directors of the Ouachita River Valley Association. He and his wife, Tonya, have four children – Jordan, Chase, Dawson and Rylee. They have a 5-year-old grandson, Parker, and a 5-month-old granddaughter, Presley. He is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting; however, time spent with his grandchildren is his favorite pastime.
Jon Chadwell, CEcD
Director of Economic Development at Newport Economic Development CommissionAs Executive Director for the Newport Economic Development Commission, Jon Chadwell is actively involved in helping develop a rural Arkansas community. Through trial and error (plenty of errors) Jon has learned some things that work well and many that don’t. His personal goal is to keep in mind that the end result of developing any community is to improve the quality of life for the people who live there.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree from Harding University in 1985. In 1997 he graduated from Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas. His Master of Divinities degree was completed in 1999 from Harding Graduate School of Religion. Jon is a graduate of LeadAR Class 10. In 2003, he became a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council.
Additional experience comes from Jon’s diverse job background. He has worked in a number of different economic development settings. A grant-writing job required that he lead 18 grassroots community groups through a comprehensive strategic planning process, which allowed the community to receive a major grant. Jon has also worked as a Main Street director, a Chamber Director, facilitator of three adult leadership programs and facilitator of a youth leadership program. The Newport Economic Development Commission is the third economic development group he has guided.
Jon is married to Sheridan Chadwell and together they also own a small business in Newport, Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts. He has two children, Calli Chadwell, an independent insurance agent, and Jordan Chadwell, a computer specialist for Bass Pro Stores.
Courtney Dunbar. CEcD, EDFP, AICP
Director of Site Selection at Burns & McDonnellCourtney Dunbar has combined career experiences in site selection, economic development, community planning and project funding. In her current role, she leads Burns & McDonnell's site selection consulting practice.
Courtney's goal is to align Burns & McDonnell's industrial, advanced manufacturing, mission critical, food and consumer products and aerospace clientele with optimal site and facility options for growth. In addition, her team actively develops plans for industrial site development. She has written many community plans focused on developing vital, innovative communities that entice economic growth and redevelopment, as well as addressing funding strategies. Her career has centered on industrial and allied primary development.
She is a member of the Site Selectors Guild and serves as a contributing writer and speaker for Area Development, with articles centered on site selection and site preparedness for economic development opportunities. She is a sought-after speaker nationally on topics related to site selection and industrial site preparedness.
Courtney serves as the Assistant Dean of the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute and instructor of real estate and infrastructure development curriculum for the Heartland Basic Economic Development Course. Her comprehensive expertise in site selection, economic planning, development analysis, industrial infrastructure planning and project finance uniquely positions her as a qualified site selection and site development partners.
Allison Hestand
CEO/Director of Economic Development at Paragould Regional Chamber of CommerceAs the CEO and Director of Economic Development for the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce, Allison Hestand serves a vital role in the growth of Paragould, Arkansas. Allison oversees all operations of the 900-member Chamber of Commerce while also serving as the director of the Economic Development Corporation of Paragould. Since joining the Chamber in 2021, Allison has overseen the launch of a 20-Year Community Strategic Plan, Discover Paragould 2042, while the Chamber has seen more than a 50% growth in membership.
Allison is a graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in economics. Allison serves on the boards of the Greene County Industrial Training Center, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives and is the vice-president of the Greene County Future Fund.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor of ArkansasSarah Huckabee Sanders is the 47th Governor of Arkansas.
Inaugurated on January 10, 2023, she is the first woman to serve as governor of the state and currently is the youngest governor in the country.
Since taking office, Sarah has enacted transformational, conservative reforms. Those include Arkansas LEARNS, a sweeping overhaul of Arkansas’ education system, including higher teacher pay and universal school choice; public safety reforms to invest in prison space and get repeat offenders off the streets; tax cuts to give more taxpayer money back to Arkansans; the Natural State Initiative to grow Arkansas’ outdoor economy; and reforms to streamline state government.
In just her first 100 days, Sarah delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address, offering a bold vision for a new generation of conservative leadership.
Prior to her historic victory, Sarah served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald J. Trump from 2017 to 2019. A trusted confidant of the President, she advised him on everything from press and communications strategy to personnel and policy. Sarah was only the third woman – and the very first mom – to ever hold the job of White House Press Secretary.
Sarah joined the Trump campaign as a senior advisor in February 2016 during the Republican primary and continued in that role through the President’s historic victory that November.
She has previously worked in leadership roles for U.S. Senators, Governors, and presidential campaigns. In Arkansas, Sarah was a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton’s 2014 victorious campaign and was campaign manager for U.S. Senator John Boozman’s winning campaign in 2010. In 2007 and 2008, Sarah helped lead her father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, to victory in the Iowa Caucuses and seven other states as his national political director. Sarah also served in the Department of Education during President George W. Bush’s administration.
She has been recognized in Fortune and TIME Magazine “40 under 40.” Sarah is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Speaking for Myself,” a former Fox News Channel contributor, and served on the Fulbright board.
Sarah grew up in Pine Bluff and Texarkana and is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High and Ouachita Baptist University.
She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Bryan, their children Scarlett, Huck and George, and their golden retriever, Traveler.
Mayor Joe Hurst
MayorMayor Joe Hurst was elected to his second term as mayor of his hometown of Van Buren on November 8, 2022. Prior to that he worked for the City of Van Buren for 9 years as the city’s first city planner. His career in municipal government began as an assistant city planner for the City of Rogers, and then he was hired as the first city planner for the City of El Dorado. Mayor Hurst earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He also graduated from the University of Central Arkansas’s Community Development Institute.
Mayor Hurst has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and he currently serves as Chairman of the Arkansas Municipal League’s Economic Development Advisory Council. Mayor Hurst is focused on improving parks, traffic congestion and connectivity, community partnerships, and making Van Buren more pedestrian friendly.
Mayor Hurst’s wife Amanda is a law professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law and they have two children, Eli and Kate.
Cory Ingram
Incentives Manager at Arkansas Economic Development CommissionCory Ingram is the Incentives Manager for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). He manages the incentive portfolio offered to businesses to help drive economic growth in Arkansas. As part of his role, Cory is particularly passionate about overseeing the Equity Investment Tax Incentive program, which strives to assist early-stage businesses in acquiring capital investments to create higher-paying jobs in Arkansas.
Prior to his work with AEDC, Cory worked as a partner relations specialist for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) where he assisted HPE’s partners in selling storage and networking equipment to small and medium size businesses. During his employment with HPE, Cory developed a passion for helping small businesses get a foothold in the corporate world, which serves him well in his current role. After Cory’s time with HPE came to an end, he attended the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville but felt drawn to come back to Central Arkansas after obtaining his law degree.
In his spare time, Cory enjoys getting yelled at, as he has officiated high school football and baseball for the last 12 years —but please do not randomly yell at him just for fun. When he is not officiating, he can be found spending time with his partner Heather and their two dogs, Wrigley and Renegade.
Candice Lawrence
Vice President of Programs & Partnerships | Executive Director at Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas | AEDCECandice Lawrence is vice president of programs & partnerships of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA and is responsible for the development, management and execution of the chamber’s programs and strategic partnerships. She also serves as the executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE), the professional association of local chamber executives and economic developers in the state. Candice most recently served as the State Chamber/AIA’s director of communications where she guided the strategy of the State Chamber/AIA’s internal and external communications, marketing, events and media outreach. Before joining the chamber, she served for 12 years as a communications representative, visitor’s services manager and community outreach coordinator for a leading global manufacturer of construction equipment. Candice is a proud graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XVI, Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXV and currently serves on the Junior Achievement of Arkansas’ Board of Directors and the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. She began her career as a broadcast journalist after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Justin Majors, PCED
Director, Existing Business Resource Division of Arkansas Economic Development CommissionJustin Majors serves as the Director of Existing Business for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. In this role, Majors and his team assist companies across Arkansas with modernization initiatives, workplace resilience, operational excellence and workforce training.
Prior to joining AEDC in 2016, he served 10 years with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services as Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.
Majors has also served on multiple community-focused boards and committees, including the City of Maumelle Tree Board and the St. Francis Lake Association.
He holds a degree in political science from Arkansas State University. In 2016, Majors earned a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) designation from the Community Development Council.
Wilson Marseilles
President/CEO of Harrison Regional Chamber of CommerceWilson Marseilles serves as the President/CEO of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce. A lifelong Harrison Native, he graduated from Harrison High School in 2014 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018. Throughout his college years, Wilson was heavily involved in campus life, serving as president of his fraternity and becoming a member of the esteemed President’s Leadership Fellows.
Following his graduation, Wilson gained valuable experience in benefits administration in Central Arkansas before returning to Harrison to be with his family and continue contributing to the community. Wilson serves both Harrison and the state of Arkansas as Treasurer of the Harrison Noons Lion Club and through active membership of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives.
Wilson’s dedication to community development and leadership were acknowledged when he was voted Class Champion for Year 1 of the Community Development Institute, recognized as the 2022 New Community Developer of the Year, graduated Leadership Arkansas Class XVII and was recognized in the Arkansas Business Class of 2023 “20 in Their Twenties.” With just shy of half a decade of chamber experience, Wilson remains committed to fostering a thriving community and eagerly looks forward to building enduring partnerships across the region.
Esperanza Massana-Crane
Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development at AEDCEsperanza Massana Crane is the Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Massana Crane began her career at AEDC in 2013 as a project manager on the Business Development team before being named Director of Marketing in 2016. She served as the director of the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Division from 2021 to 2023.
She currently serves on the boards of the Central Arkansas Library System and the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission. In 2022, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas selected her as its Woman of the Year in Business for its Power of the Purse Awards. Massana Crane is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXX and a graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XII.
Originally from El Salvador, Massana Crane earned her bachelor’s degree and MBA degree from Harding University. She speaks fluent Spanish and German, as well as intermediate French. She lives in Little Rock with her husband Christopher and son Sebastián.
Hugh McDonald
Secretary at Arkansas Department of CommerceHugh T. McDonald was appointed Secretary of Commerce of Arkansas by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023.
He served as president and chief executive officer of Entergy Arkansas, Inc. from 2000 until his retirement in 2016. Entergy Arkansas is the largest electric utility in the state, serving over 700,000 customers with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion.
Hugh joined Entergy in 1982 as an engineer at Waterford 3 nuclear generating plant in Louisiana. He held various management positions in the distribution, transmission, customer service, retail marketing and regulatory business functions in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas.
Prior to working for Entergy, Hugh was employed by Black and Veatch Consulting Engineers in Overland Park, Kansas.
Hugh is a past Board member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the University of Arkansas Sam Walton College of Business Advisory Board and the University of Arkansas Little Rock College of Business Advisory Council. He also served as past Board Chairs of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fifty for the Future, the Arkansas Research Alliance, the Arkansas Career Education and Workforce Development Board, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Board of Advisors and the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas.
Hugh currently serves on the board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas and the North Dakota State University Foundation.
Hugh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from North Dakota State University, 1980; and earned an MBA from the University of New Orleans in 1987.
Hugh and his wife, Michelle, have three children.
Brad Phillips
SVP, Marketing & Communications at Rogers Lowell ChamberBrad Phillips is Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Rogers Lowell Chamber in Northwest Arkansas. His professional career spans decades successfully planning and leading the execution of brand, media and creative strategies to achieve business goals in both B2B and B2C markets. He has been recognized and awarded by the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Awards), Cannes Film Festival and ACCE (Awards for Communications Excellence) for outstanding creative work. Brad has been with the Chamber since 2012 and is responsible for strategic planning related to branding, content development, advertising/public relations, media relations/outreach and creative services support. In 2022 he led the Marketing Communications team to re-brand the Chamber positioning it better for the future with the next generation of community leaders who are stepping up to serve business and community together. A native of Northwest Arkansas (Rogers), Brad returned home in 2009 to be closer to his family after corporate and ad agency stops in Dallas, San Francisco and Ft. Lauderdale. Prior to joining the Chamber Brad worked at Motorola’s Florida campus on worldwide marketing communications campaigns and new product launches. He also served in leadership roles with advertising agencies in Florida and Arkansas. Brad graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, specializing in advertising and public relations. As a “foodie”, he’s always happy to try new culinary experiences and also loves photography, traveling, gardening, walking, swimming and watching his favorite sports teams including the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. One of his biggest personal passions is volunteering time to help rescue and find homes for stray cats, working with local rescue organizations. In his free time, he and his partner of 23 years, Lee, enjoy playing with their fur babies, watching movies, cooking, and taking staycations exploring all the fun things to do in Northwest Arkansas.
Dani Pugsley
President/CEO of Mountain Home Area Chamber of CommerceDani Pugsley is the President/CEO of the Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Arkansas Chamber Foundation. Dani oversees tourism and economic development for the Twin Lakes Area and promotes the Chamber's 600 members. Since joining the Chamber in 2021, Dani has implemented a community-wide rebranding campaign and launched a new economic development strategic plan, while the Chamber has seen a 16% growth in membership and a 40% increase in revenue.
Dani will graduate from Arkansas State University in December with her doctorate, and her research focuses on workforce development in rural communities. As a former educator, Dani hopes to bridge the gap between the educational systems and industries in Mountain Home to create a diverse and skilled labor force. She serves on the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District Board and the Business Advisory and Career and Technical Education committees for the Mountain Home Public School District.
Nick Smith
Creative Services Director of Rogers Lowell ChamberNick Smith is the Creative Services Director for the newly rebranded Rogers Lowell Chamber in Northwest Arkansas. Nick is also a freelance designer and visual identity consultant specializing in logo design, branding identity, layout design and creative direction and offers design services to businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout the region. Nick has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (emphasis in graphic design) from the University of Arkansas and has been working steadily in agencies and nonprofits as a designer for almost 20 years. Nick enjoys the challenges and goals presented with each new project, aiming to produce work that inspires clients and their audiences while encouraging engagement from all who view the final product. He also loves talking shop and engaging directly with peers about what inspires their work, whether that be design-related or what they’re passionate about. Nick lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife Nichole, sons Oliver and Dean, 2 dogs and a cat who thinks he’s a dog. He loves everything there is to do in NWA, from hiking to art museum trips, and is a passionate Razorback fan and band nerd. In his free time, he enjoys Marvel Comics, video games, trivia, and grilling food for anyone willing to come over, eat, and hang for a while.
Steve Weitzner
Sr. Vice President Site Selection & Investment Promotion at PM & Partner Marketing Consulting GmbHSteve Weitzner is an economic development thought leader who has delivered lucrative solutions to corporations and public sector clients for more than three decades. He has advised a wide variety of companies and organizations throughout North America, Europe and Asia including many Fortune 50 firms and state and local government agencies.
His experience and expertise includes domestic and international site selection and location analysis, economic incentives acquisition, financial modeling and decision analysis, economic development strategy and economic and fiscal impact analysis.
Steve was the founder of Silverlode Consulting Corp., which he ran successfully for almost 20 years before selling it to a larger corporation. Prior, Steve was the founder and Area Director of Business Incentives and Site Selection Services for the Lake Erie Area of Ernst & Young LLP. Steve also helped to create and launch a national site selection and economic development consulting practice for Coopers & Lybrand LLP.
Steve has been published in several journals including the Journal of State Taxation, the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives, Site Selection, Trade & Industry Development and the CCH Business Incentives Guide. He has been a speaker at meetings of the World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment, Council for Urban Economic Development, the Brookings Institution, the International Economic Development Council and many regional economic development conferences.
Olivia Womack
Director of Business Development at Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)Olivia serves as the Director of Business Development for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission where she oversees the state’s efforts to attract businesses to Arkansas through site selection and incentives. As a native Arkansan, Olivia is proud to represent her state and demonstrate the benefits of doing business in Arkansas to company executives for businesses large and small. Prior to joining AEDC, Olivia worked in the Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson in the public engagement department.
Olivia is from Rogers, Arkansas and graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish.
Olivia lives in Little Rock and is a member of Fellowship Midtown church.
Parker Wyatt
Site Consultant at GLS ConsultingParker is a jack of all trades. He enjoys digging into the data to uncover trends and deliver analytical reports that drive clients forward on their site selection journey. Parker first began his career at GLS in 2018 as a business analyst. Now as a site selection consultant, he uses his data-driven expertise to guide by taking the time to understand the company’s processes, key drivers, and risk considerations and driving them confidently toward their location decisions. Parker holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, with a minor in accounting.