By Joel Phelps
The Arkadelphian

The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance is in the process of selecting a new chief executive officer.

Kevin Jester, chair of the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County, said a hiring committee has been conducting interviews with candidates in the last week, a process that is still continuing. “We hope to be moving along,” Jester said. “We’ve had some very qualified candidates, and we’re very excited about the opportunities. We have to make some tough decisions.”

The current CEO, J.L. Griffin, said Tuesday’s meeting of the EDCCC “could very well be my last.” Griffin, who is on the hiring committee, said there have been some “outstanding candidates” interested in the position, but no names were disclosed. Griffin thanked the EDCCC board members for allowing him the opportunity to serve as CEO.

Griffin, the owner of a logging company, was tapped to lead the Alliance after the resignation of Stephen Bell. Griffin has made several public comments this year that he is ready for someone else to take the helm.