Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE) proudly announces the election of its 2024 Board of Directors, a dynamic team of leaders poised to drive economic development and community advancement in the state. The terms for the newly elected directors officially commence on January 1, 2024.
“These extraordinary servant leaders from across the stateconsistently work to improve Arkansas communities, support businesses and improve our workforce. I am greatly looking forward to leveraging the experiences and expertise this board will bring to the AEDCE association in 2024,” said Candice Lawrence, executive director of AEDCE. The statewide leaders appointed to the AEDCE board of directors for 2024 are as follows:
• Colleen Bailey, City of North Little Rock
• Alicia Payseno, City of Cabot
• Leo Cummings III, IOM, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
• Anita Brackin, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Tonya Fletcher, PCED, Paris Area Chamber of Commerce
• Bentley Story, Entergy Arkansas
• Logan Molock, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce
Bailey is the director of economic development for the City of North Little Rock. She joins the board representing the SecondCongressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2024.
Payseno is the director of economic development for the city of Cabot. She joins the board representing the First Congressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Cummings III is the senior vice president of development for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. He joins the boardrepresenting the Second Congressional District. His term expires December 31, 2025.
Brackin is the vice-president of workforce development at the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board representing the Third Congressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Fletcher is the executive director of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board representing the FourthCongressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Story is the senior project manager at Entergy Arkansas. He joins the board as a member At Large. His term expires December 31, 2024.
Molock is the vice-president of economic development at the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board as a member At Large. Her term expires December 31, 2024.
The officers of the board of directors for 2024 are President Gary Troutman, IOM with the Hot Springs Metro Partnership/Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce; First Vice-President Steve Cox, IOM with the Rogers Lowell Chamber; Second Vice-President Julie Allen, PCED with the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce; and Treasurer/Secretary Allison Hestand with the Paragould Regional Chamber and Economic Development Corporation of Paragould.
Nancy Lee McNew, CEcD, PCED of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County completed her term as board president at the end of 2023 but will remain on the board as immediate past president and an officer through 2024.
Other returning board members are:
• Steven Lamm, Jonesboro Unlimited
• James Bell, Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
• Ashlee Vaughan, Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance
• Randy Zook, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA
• Clint O’Neal, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
• Jack Thomas, Little Rock Regional Chamber
• Candice Lawrence, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas
About Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE): AEDCE is the state’s premier association representing professional and volunteer economic developers and chamber executives in Arkansas. AEDCE’s objective is to advance, through educational and professional efforts, the business climate and quality of life in Arkansas by the development of employment opportunities through economic growth and community development. This is accomplished through education, advocacyand our connected network of association members. More information is available at aedce.org.
